Blog
Public policy should make life better for everyone, not just a select few. Throughout the year, Arise tracks a range of state and federal policy proposals and assesses what they would mean for Alabamians who are struggling to make ends meet. Our blog provides quick updates on these proposals and offers tips on what you can do to help build an Alabama where all people have an opportunity to reach their full potential.
Blog
What Alabamians need to know about Healthcare.gov tax credits and open enrollment for 2026
Hundreds of thousands of Alabamians will face higher health care costs if Congress does not act to extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (ePTCs) that make Healthcare.gov coverage more affordable. These tax credits reduce monthly premiums based on how much money a family makes. That helps families who don’t have access to health insurance through [...]
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What Alabamians need to know about SNAP during the federal shutdown
People should not have to choose between food, health care and other basic needs. But the White House’s decision to delay issuing food assistance benefits means millions of struggling families are about to be forced to make exactly that choice as the holidays approach. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) last week officially notified Alabama [...]
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What Alabama Arise heard in 2025!
Alabama Arise strives to live out our values. A core piece of our vision is that we have an Alabama where people are engaged in the policymaking process. And we prioritize the voices of those marginalized by poverty. One way we try to realize our vision of people’s engagement is to listen. We value the [...]
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After a successful 2025 session, Alabama Arise looks toward the future
[caption id="attachment_11095" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Several Alabama Arise staff members participated in Gov. Kay Ivey's bill signing ceremony for HB 386 on July 31, 2025, at the State Capitol in Montgomery. HB 386 will reduce the state sales tax on groceries from 3% to 2% starting Sept. 1, 2025. Left to right: Arise legislative director David [...]
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What the new federal budget law means for SNAP, health care in Alabama
By Carol Gundlach, senior policy analyst, and Debbie Smith, Cover Alabama campaign director While many Alabamians were celebrating July 4, Congress passed a sweeping budget reconciliation law that will hurt families across the country. To extend more than $1 trillion of tax cuts for the richest Americans, Congress slashed health care, food assistance and other [...]
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2025 has been a roller coaster of a year for Alabama Arise
After years of advocacy, Alabama Arise and our partners secured several huge victories for low-income and working people at the State House this year! These legislative wins included: An additional reduction of the state grocery tax. A law removing the state sales tax on many women’s health products, maternity care items and baby care items. [...]
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Diverse membership is our power
We just wrapped up our summer Membership Drive, where some of our members – “Arise Ambassadors” – helped grow our membership by inviting friends and neighbors to join Alabama Arise. People join Arise to build a more equitable Alabama. And our members are our power: You choose our legislative priorities and advocate with us at [...]
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Annual Meeting to chart Arise’s course for 2026 and beyond
Grassroots democracy will be on display when Alabama Arise members help shape our 2026 legislative priorities at our Annual Meeting on Saturday, Sept. 27. There will be options to meet both in person and online via Zoom. The Arise board voted to adjust the way we select our legislative agenda starting this year. We will [...]
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State, federal attacks on workers underscore need to organize in Alabama
Labor Day gives Alabamians an opportunity to celebrate the contributions that workers across our state and country make to keep our vital institutions operating and build a better world for all people. We live in a state where powerful and wealthy interests often leverage money and influence to discourage workers from unionizing. But even in [...]
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¡Hemos mejorado vidas en toda Alabama!
La sesión legislativa de 2025 se terminó oficialmente, y fue atareada y productiva. El personal, los socios y los miembros de Arise trabajaron arduamente para mejorar la vida de gente que llega justo a fin de mes, mientras se protegían también los derechos de los alabamienses atacados por personas con agendas políticas retrógradas. Hicimos un [...]