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Alabama Arise 2026 legislative priorities
More than 150 Alabama Arise member groups and nearly 2,000 individual members choose our legislative priorities each year. This process ensures that Alabamians most impacted by poverty have a seat at the table. Below are the priorities that our members selected for 2026. For a PDF version of this document, click here or click the [...]
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 [...]
Blog
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 [...]
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 [...]
Blog
¡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 [...]
Personal Stories
Virginia wants you to join her in protecting health coverage in Alabama
Virginia would say things have been going well since moving back home to Birmingham a year ago – steady even. She said consistency has been key in staying healthy when life takes on unexpected changes.
And Virginia has had to navigate some unexpected changes recently.
Fact Sheet
Federal budget bill would endanger state budgets, increase hunger for 750,000+ Alabamians
The U.S. House in May passed legislation that would take food assistance away from many Alabamians who are already struggling to afford groceries. A U.S. Senate committee in June approved similar legislation. These cuts would help pay for extending huge tax breaks for the wealthiest households. The bill would target the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [...]
Blog
We’ve improved lives across Alabama!
[caption id="attachment_10337" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Alabama Arise executive director Robyn Hyden speaks in support of untaxing groceries during Arise's annual Legislative Day on March 20, 2025, in Montgomery. (Photo by Julie Bennett)[/caption] The 2025 legislative session is officially over, and it was busy and productive. Alabama Arise staff, partners and members worked hard to improve the [...]
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 [...]