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Wednesday, December 25, 2024

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Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of the federal death row; Mississippi group working in 71 counties to end homelessness in Mississippi; Farmers no longer feeling Farm Bill anguish, but relief might be fleeting; Addressing Montana's expanding 'news deserts.'

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President-elect Donald Trump considers reclaiming Panama Canal. Lawmakers are uncertain Trump's cabinet will help everyday Americans and, advocates feel Biden must reconsider clemency actions.

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Rural folks could soon be shut out of loans for natural disasters if Project 2025 has its way, Taos, New Mexico weighs options for its housing shortage, and the top states providing America's Christmas trees revealed.

Survey reveals top priorities for MI seniors just ahead of election

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Thursday, October 17, 2024   

A new AARP survey reveals the key issues driving Michigan seniors as the countdown to the election hits 20 days.

The results show a neck-and-neck race, with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris locked at 46% support. Third-party candidates, including Robert Kennedy Junior, capture 5% of the vote, while only 2% of voters are undecided. For most voters, some key issues vary along the cultural and political divide, such as immigration and abortion.

Bob Ward, a Republican AARP pollster and partner in the firm Fabrizio Ward, said economic concerns cross party lines.

"Things like inflation, jobs and, since we're talking about older voters, I'll throw in Social Security. When you roll those three issues up, 57% of older Michigan voters say that's their number one or number two issue," he said.

The rising costs of prescription drugs are another top concern for older voters. The poll also shows the run for president isn't the only tight race in the Great Lakes State. In the U.S. Senate battle, among voters aged 50 and older, Democrat Elissa Slotkin leads Republican Mike Rogers 48% to 46%.

Looking at another priority in the upcoming election, 31% of Michigan voters 50 and older, identify as family caregivers -- making caregiver relief a critical point that transcends party lines. Ward said the caregiving issue is a sleeper that's starting to appear on the campaign trail, and for good reason.

"We've heard Kamala Harris come out with her proposal on how to help seniors aging at home with a Medicare proposal -- and I think last week the Trump campaign responded with their plan for tax credits for family caregivers," Slotkin said.

Looking at leadership, the AARP poll reveals mixed reviews with half of Michigan voters approving Trump's presidency, while Harris and Biden contend with negative approval ratings. More than half of voters 50-plus say the country is headed in the wrong direction.

Disclosure: AARP Michigan contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues, Livable Wages/Working Families, Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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