News Releases
Public policy barriers prevent far too many Alabamians from getting ahead. Our duty is to speak out against those barriers and identify solutions to give everyone an opportunity to reach their full potential. Check out our news releases and press statements about our research, organizing and advocacy for policies to make life better for Alabamians who are struggling to make ends meet.
News Releases
The work for a better, more inclusive Alabama continues despite an outrageous special session
Gov. Kay Ivey on Friday signed into law two bills that could set the stage for special primary elections in some of Alabama’s congressional and state Senate districts this year. Those special elections would occur if a federal court lifts an injunction blocking the state from using maps that it found to violate the Voting [...]
News Releases
Alabamians must keep advocating to protect inclusive democracy
Gov. Kay Ivey on Friday declared a special session starting Monday to redraw Alabama’s congressional and state Senate districts and provide for a special primary election this year using those new lines. The declaration comes after Wednesday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that gutted key provisions of the Voting Rights Act. Alabama Arise executive director Robyn [...]
News Releases
Alabama Arise on state grocery tax holiday: ‘Two months is a good start toward forever’
A one-time, two-month holiday on Alabama’s state sales tax on groceries begins today. HB 527 by Rep. James Lomax, R-Huntsville, will reduce the state grocery tax from 2% to 0% starting today and continuing through June 30. The state grocery tax rate will return to 2% on July 1. Alabama Arise executive director Robyn Hyden [...]
News Releases
Labor groups announce Alabama Workers’ Week of Action
A coalition of Alabama labor groups and allies will partner next week to celebrate Alabama Workers’ Week of Action. The week will encompass Workers Memorial Day on April 28 and May Day, or International Workers’ Day, on May 1. Participating organizations include Alabama Arise, Jobs to Move America, the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice and [...]
News Releases
New Alabama Arise handbook explains how state taxes and budgets work – and how to improve them
Alabama should reform its outdated, imbalanced tax system to help working people get ahead and to ensure adequate funding for vital services like education and health care, a new Alabama Arise handbook released Thursday concludes. Legislators also should implement several changes to make the state’s budgeting process more responsive and transparent, the handbook finds. In [...]
News Releases
250+ advocates urge Alabama lawmakers to expand no-cost school breakfast
[caption id="attachment_11630" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Dr. Shakita Brooks Jones, board president of Alabama Arise Action, speaks in support of no-cost school breakfast during Arise's annual Legislative Day on Feb. 24, 2026, in Montgomery. (Photo by Julie Bennett)[/caption] Alabama should ensure access to no-cost breakfast for every child in the state’s public schools, Alabama Arise Action members [...]
News Releases
Alabama Arise unveils 2026 roadmap for change in Alabama
Expanding health care access and improving maternal and infant health will remain top goals on Alabama Arise’s 2026 legislative agenda. The organization also will continue advocating for state funds to help public schools provide free school meals to every student. Nearly 600 members voted in the last week to affirm Arise’s legislative priorities. The seven [...]
News Releases
Alabama coalition to lawmakers: Keep TVA public, affordable and accountable
State and federal lawmakers should oppose any efforts to privatize the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a broad coalition of 43 Alabama organizations wrote in a joint letter released Tuesday. The groups warned that privatization would raise energy costs, eliminate good jobs, weaken environmental protections and strip the public of its voice in decisions about the [...]
News Releases
Halfway there: Alabama Arise celebrates latest grocery tax reduction, urges lawmakers to finish the job
A new law reducing Alabama’s state sales tax on groceries from 3% to 2% will take effect on Monday after being enacted in May. HB 386 by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, also will give cities and counties more flexibility to reduce local grocery taxes if they choose. Alabama Arise executive director Robyn Hyden released the following [...]
News Releases
Alabama Arise celebrates grocery tax reduction at bill signing ceremony
[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 [...]
