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
Arise legislative update: April 10, 2023
Arise's Mike Nicholson highlights three criminal justice reform bills that we're watching and supporting during the Alabama Legislature's 2023 regular session. This legislation would help modernize our state's sentencing system, reduce the burdens of high fines and fees, and ease voting rights restoration for many Alabamians who were formerly incarcerated.
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Arise legislative update: March 27, 2023
Arise's Pres Harris invites you to our Legislative Day on April 11 in Montgomery. Legislative Day is an annual opportunity for Arise supporters to meet their lawmakers and make the case for policy changes to improve life for every Alabamian. We expect this year’s advocacy to focus on expanding Medicaid, untaxing groceries and funding public [...]
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PARCA presentation on Medicaid expansion in Brewton
Medicaid expansion would save lives, create jobs and strengthen the health care system across Alabama. Ryan Hankins, executive director of the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA), gave a presentation on Medicaid expansion's benefits at a public event that Alabama Arise co-hosted on Feb. 27, 2023, at DW McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton.
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Arise legislative update: March 13, 2023
Arise's Carol Gundlach discusses our thoughts on how Alabama legislators plan to allocate the rest of the state's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money. Gov. Kay Ivey called a special session on ARPA funding shortly after lawmakers returned Tuesday to begin the 2023 regular session.
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Arise legislative update: March 6, 2023
Before the Alabama Legislature returns this week, Arise's Akiesha Anderson welcomes everyone with an update on an upcoming special session on federal American Rescue Plan Act funds and an overview of Arise's member-chosen policy priorities for 2023.
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Fresh opportunities to push for a better Alabama
The Alabama Legislature will welcome 37 new lawmakers to its halls when its 2023 regular session begins March 7. Alabama Arise sees this as an opportunity to educate new legislators and identify new allies on issues of importance to our members. We urge folks to join us in calling for change, including at Arise Legislative [...]
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Budget priorities for the people
Two weeks before the Alabama Legislature’s 2023 regular session, lawmakers, lobbyists and advocates packed into the State House in late February for the annual joint legislative budget hearings. One might call it the Super Bowl for budget nerds. After years of scarcity, both Alabama budgets are starting out with a revenue surplus. There’s $351 million [...]
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A membership base that looks like Alabama
At Alabama Arise, people are our power. As a member, you are part of a network that drives our shared vision of a state where all people have resources to reach their potential. Collectively, you vote on our policy priorities, stay informed through our Daily News Digest and legislative updates, and advocate for fair public [...]
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How Alabama can protect health coverage during the Medicaid ‘unwinding’ period
In 2020, we watched as the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world. Many of us searched for toilet paper, stocked up on groceries and spent a lot of quality time in our homes as we sheltered in place. But the world did not change only in our daily lives. This public health emergency (PHE) also led [...]
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End of emergency SNAP allotments will increase hunger in Alabama
For many of us, the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nearly all of normal life. Businesses closed, either temporarily or permanently. People lost jobs and income. Children were not attending school in person. And millions of Americans were suddenly facing an unexpected problem: hunger. Temporary increases to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits [...]