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.

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Blog

Join us for Town Hall Tuesdays!

Listening is key to shaping and advancing public policies that matter most to those marginalized by bad policies. Alabama Arise depends on what we hear to help guide our work toward our vision of a better Alabama for all. Our online Town Hall Tuesdays will return once again this year. These events are a chance [...]
Issues
Criminal Justice, Health, Safety Net, Voting Rights
Date
May 2, 2022
Author
Presdelane Harris
Blog

Highs and lows: Alabama Arise’s look back at the 2022 regular session

The Alabama Legislature’s 2022 regular session adjourned sine die late on Thursday, April 7. Lawmakers capped off the session’s last week with intense debates and late nights, with the final gavel dropping just before midnight. Alabama Arise is grateful for the many positive outcomes that came out of the State House this year. We also [...]
Issues
Safety Net, Tax Reform, Voting Rights, Budgets, Criminal Justice, Health
Date
April 12, 2022
Author
Blog

Arise legislative update: April 12, 2022

Arise's Robyn Hyden breaks down successes and missed opportunities from the Alabama Legislature's 2022 regular session, which ended Thursday night. She highlights breakthroughs on federal ARPA funds, postpartum Medicaid extension and criminal justice reform, among other issues.
Issues
Budgets, Criminal Justice, Health, Safety Net, Tax Reform
Date
April 12, 2022
Author
Blog

Arise legislative recap: April 4, 2022

Arise's Jane Adams shares the good news that next year's General Fund budget includes a provision that would extend Medicaid postpartum coverage to one year after childbirth, up from the current 60 days. The budget has passed both the Alabama House and Senate and has gone to the governor.
Issues
Budgets, Health, Medicaid Expansion
Date
April 4, 2022
Author
Blog

Untax Groceries Rally: March 15, 2022

More than 50 Arise members gathered in Montgomery on Tuesday for the Untax Groceries Rally to support efforts to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries. The event focused on two bills that would end the state grocery tax while protecting school funding: SB 43 by Sen. Andrew Jones and a forthcoming bill by Rep. [...]
Issues
Budgets, Tax Reform, Economic Opportunity
Date
March 21, 2022
Author
Blog

Arise legislative recap: March 14, 2022

Arise's Carol Gundlach discusses SB 19, which would provide a small but significant income tax cut for Alabamians with low and moderate incomes. She also discusses Arise's Untax Groceries Rally, scheduled for this Tuesday, March 15. Visit untaxgroceries.org to learn more. Please note: In the case of inclement weather, Tuesday's rally will be held inside [...]
Issue
Tax Reform
Date
March 14, 2022
Author
Blog

Arise legislative recap: March 7, 2022

Arise's Celida Soto Garcia discusses the problems with SB 156, a bill that would deny SNAP food assistance to Alabamians who fail to “cooperate” or “comply” with child support orders or collection services. The bill could come up for a Senate vote this week. Celida also discusses Arise's upcoming Untax Groceries Rally, scheduled for March [...]
Issues
Safety Net, Tax Reform
Date
March 7, 2022
Author
Blog

Grocery tax, health care key Arise focuses this year

Untax groceries. Expand health coverage. Make the criminal justice system more just. Those are a few of Alabama Arise’s major priorities during the Legislature’s 2022 regular session. And we’re making real progress toward turning those goals into realities. Untaxing groceries Ending the state’s regressive sales tax on groceries has been a longtime Arise priority. It [...]
Issues
Health, Tax Reform, Medicaid Expansion, Budgets, Criminal Justice
Date
March 7, 2022
Author
Chris Sanders
Blog

We see you, Alabama, and we’re here with you

As I think about each of you, in the midst of a hectic and uncertain time, I’m amazed by the strength and resilience of the people like you who make up Arise’s membership and our community. The single parent who has been holding it together during COVID-19 child care closures and home schooling, all while [...]
Date
March 7, 2022
Author
Robyn Hyden
Blog

You are the strong force behind Arise’s advocacy

Your support holds lawmakers accountable during this legislative session. Will you donate to Alabama Arise today? Right now in Montgomery, elected officials from across Alabama are proposing laws that would infringe on our constitutional right to protest, limit our children’s access to a quality, well-rounded education and increase barriers to receiving unemployment insurance benefits, even [...]
Date
March 7, 2022
Author
McKenzie Burton