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
Grocery tax, paid leave, maternal health highlight triumphant 2025 session for Alabama Arise
Alabama Arise just wrapped up one of the most successful legislative sessions in our history this year. Life will be better for people across the state as a result – and members like you made it all possible. Arise members’ advocacy and support pushed legislators to enact numerous laws to reduce hunger and promote healthier [...]
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Join us this summer for listening sessions!
Listening is both a value and a process. It is foundational to Alabama Arise’s approach to shaping and advancing policies that matter most to those marginalized by poverty. Arise depends on what we hear to help guide our work toward a better Alabama, and we want to hear from you this summer. Watch your email [...]
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A new issue selection process, still listening
From our founding, Alabama Arise has been strongly committed to member leadership. Directly impacted communities, our member groups and individuals guide and decide our policy agenda. Over the years, the way we select this agenda has changed as our work has evolved and as times change. Now we are proposing another change. The Arise board [...]
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Federal funding cuts would increase hunger and hardship across Alabama
Congress is advancing a cruel proposal to take away food assistance, health coverage and other vital services from millions of Americans who struggle to afford basic needs. Why? To give huge tax cuts to the wealthiest people in the country. The bill’s proposed $1.1 trillion of cuts to food assistance and health care over the [...]
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Arise staff union, leadership celebrate ratification of new contract
Alabama Arise Workers United (AAWU), Arise’s staff union represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), unanimously ratified its first contract in May. This was an exciting development after nearly a year of bargaining negotiations between CWA and Arise leadership. The process began after Arise leadership voluntarily recognized AAWU in 2024. [caption id="attachment_10684" align="aligncenter" width="640"] [...]
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Meet Matt Okarmus, our comms multitasker
Since 2018, Matt Okarmus has served as a communications associate at Alabama Arise. Like many other staff, Matt did not begin his career in advocacy. After graduating from Auburn University with a journalism degree, he spent eight years in the newspaper industry, working at the Montgomery Advertiser and the Opelika-Auburn News. Eventually, though, Matt felt [...]
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A big ugly bill for billionaires
The budget legislation that the U.S. House advanced before Memorial Day (the “Big, Beautiful Bill... for Billionaires”) is awful. It would undo progress we have made together over many decades of work. The good news: The original legislation put forth was even worse. Your advocacy, calls and public actions helped block some terrible policies from [...]
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Subscribe to help build our movement!
If you’re like me, you probably have a few monthly subscriptions. You can pay $15 to watch your favorite TV shows or $17 to stream your favorite music. There are also some wacky subscriptions like a regular delivery of socks, coffee beans or pet toys! We thank you for giving to Alabama Arise, too. You [...]
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Arise legislative update: Week of May 19, 2025
Arise's Robyn Hyden ties a bow on the Alabama Legislature's 2025 regular session by celebrating some of the numerous policy wins that our members made possible. These include: - Reducing the state sales tax on groceries. - Ending the state sales tax on baby formula, diapers, maternity clothing and other items for women and infants. [...]
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Arise legislative update: Week of May 12, 2025
Arise's Chris Sanders takes to the Alabama outdoors to celebrate two huge legislative wins for Alabama families last week. First is the enactment of HB 386, which will reduce the state sales tax on groceries from 3% to 2% starting Sept. 1. Untaxing groceries has been an Arise priority for decades, and we will continue [...]