Thank you for your interest in AARP Oklahoma's advocacy efforts. This page offers helpful resources and action items you can take to support advocacy-related issues supported by AARP Oklahoma.

• AARP Oklahoma supports House Bill 3318 by Rep. Steve Bashore (R-District 7) and Rep. Annie Menz (D-District 45) and Senate Bill 1763 by Sen. Bill Coleman (R-District 10) that would proactively prevent and prohibit unscrupulous real estate brokers from misleading homeowners into signing decades-long agreements that give the real estate brokers the exclusive right to sell the homes. AARP has advocated to ban these predatory real estate service agreements across the country, with 18 states enacting similar legislation protecting homeowners.

• AARP Oklahoma opposes House Bill 4097, which is another power grab by big utilities that limits competition and will drive utility rates up even higher. The bill would allow companies to build new transmission lines, but upon completion, they would be required to sell those lines to the existing utility, such as OG&E or PSO. House Bill 4097 eliminates competition and incentives to keep costs down, driving up utility rates for everyone.

Send an email and tell your State Senator you can’t afford HB 4097.

AARP Oklahoma is fighting for residential utility customers because we know Oklahomans can't afford relentless rate hikes. Right now, AARP Oklahoma is intervening in two new utility rate cases, which, if approved, will cost OG&E and PSO customers more than $550 million in rate hikes.

• OG&E wants customers to foot the bill for a staggering $19 a month rate hike. OG&E raised rates for residential utility customers $3.34 a month to pay for Winter Storm Uri and followed that up with $2 a month rate hikes in both 2021 and 2022. Apparently, that is not enough because now, OG&E is back asking the Corporation Commission for more.  
  
• PSO is asking the Corporation Commission to approve its fifth rate hike request in four years. If approved, this rate hike will cost residential customers an additional eye-popping $10 a month, or $120 a year. Between rate hikes, fuel adjustment charges, and Winter Storm Uri, PSO customers' bills have already increased by nearly $20 since 2021. 

AARP Oklahoma will continue to fight against unfair rate hikes and urges seniors to make their voices heard.

• PSO customers: visit action.aarp.org/No2PSO
• OG&E customers: visit action.aarp.org/NoOGEHike

It's official: Oklahoma will be the first state in the nation to adopt an expansive caregiver tax credit after the Caring for Caregivers Act became law in June 2023. It takes effect Jan. 1, 2024. Thanks to our volunteers and advocates who contacted their elected officials to say "YES" to this important piece of legislation. Learn more about the Caring for Caregivers Act, tax credit eligibility requirements, FAQ's and more HERE.

You’ve worked hard to earn your Social Security benefits, paying in with every paycheck. If Congress doesn’t take action, future retirees could lose around $4,000 a year.
 
AARP is fighting to protect and strengthen Social Security people 50+ have paid into and earned through years of hard work. Oklahomans work hard every day, year after year, paying into Social Security and counting on those hard-earned dollars to be there at retirement. It's money Oklahomans are owed and money that one-third of our older neighbors depend on to get by.

• Click HERE to join us as we fight to strengthen Social Security.
  

Visit aarp.org/getinvolved to sign up for advocacy alerts on state and federal advocacy issues. You'll receive the AARP Advocate, a free monthly e-newsletter, e-mail action alerts on the issues you care about and the latest news on local issues, Congress and the White House.

Learn more about AARP Oklahoma's advocacy work

Oklahoma Caring for Caregivers Tax Credit

By AARP Oklahoma, JAN 1, 2024

The Caring for Caregivers Act will give eligible family caregivers a tax credit of up to $2,000 a year starting in the 2024 tax year or up to $3,000 a year if the person being cared for is a veteran or has a dementia-related diagnosis.

Oklahoma Utility Bill Payment and Home Assistance

AARP Oklahoma compiled these resources for residents that may need assistance or additional information on utility payments, rent payments or home repairs resulting from severe weather.

"Let's Get Digital Oklahoma Broadband Tour": May 8 - June 23

The public is invited to participate in the Oklahoma Broadband office's 16-stop statewide "Let's Get Digital" listening tour.

AARP Oklahoma Live Utilities Town Hall

Join AARP Oklahoma for a live town hall discussing possible increases to your utility bill and learn what you can do to take action to prevent OGE’s $164 million proposed rate hike.

AARP Oklahoma Utilities Telephone Town Hall: May 31

AARP Oklahoma is hosting an interactive telephone town hall on May 31 at 10 a.m.

AARP Oklahoma Digital Connectivity Town Hall

Do you have questions on how to get assistance with paying for your high-speed internet or resources that can assist you with digital connectivity? Join AARP Oklahoma for a special digital connectivity town hall on March 23 at 10 a.m. CST. Learn about new ways to get connected to high-speed internet. You will also hear about our partnership with Oklahoma State University for a hotspot lending program in rural Oklahoma libraries, as well as free education resources you can use to learn how to use your digital devices and navigate the internet.

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