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Alabama lawmakers allocated the state’s final $1 billion of ARPA funds. What comes next?
As the Alabama Legislature begins to craft the 2024 General Fund budget, decisions made during last month’s special session should provide lawmakers with more flexibility to meet ongoing needs for our state. With additional near-term funding already in place for key priorities, legislators should seize the opportunity to improve the quality of life for every [...]
Personal Stories
Walker County Medicaid town hall 2023
Alabama Arise and Cover Alabama co-hosted a Medicaid town hall in Jasper on April 10, 2023. Speakers discussed the importance of Medicaid expansion and how our state can afford it, as well as the cruelty of the Medicaid coverage gap. To learn more and join our movement to expand Medicaid in Alabama, visit coveralabama.org.
Fact Sheet
Vote ‘No’ on HB 209 – Rep. Kiel’s bill that would narrow voting rights in Alabama
Voting rights are an essential part of the democratic process, and we should be wary of any legislation that unnecessarily prevents people from voting. But HB 209, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, would do just that. This bill would make it a felony to assist others in the absentee ballot application and submission process, [...]
Blog
Arise legislative update: April 17, 2023
Arise's Akiesha Anderson provides an update on two bills we're watching in the Alabama Legislature this week. We are urging the Senate to support a bill that would end many driver's license suspensions for debt-based reasons. And we are urging a House committee to oppose a bill that would add harmful and confusing limits to [...]
Blog
Alabama Arise Action Legislative Day 2023
Arise held our 2023 Legislative Day on Tuesday, April 11. More than 100 supporters joined us in Montgomery to hear updates on our policy priorities and urge their lawmakers to untax groceries, expand Medicaid and end debt-based driver’s license suspensions. Thank you to everyone who spoke out for a better Alabama for all!
News Releases
Alabama Arise members urge support for plan to untax groceries, protect funding for public schools
[caption id="attachment_7937" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Rep. Penni McClammy, D-Montgomery, speaks in support of untaxing groceries during Arise's Legislative Day on April 11, 2023, in Montgomery.[/caption] Alabama should embrace the opportunity this year to remove the state sales tax on groceries in a sustainable and meaningful way, Alabama Arise Action members told lawmakers Tuesday. More than 100 [...]
Fact Sheet
Vote ‘Yes’ on SB 154 / HB 264 – Sen. Barfoot & Rep. Wadsworth’s bills to end debt-based driver’s license suspensions
Debt-based driver’s license suspensions are harming people and communities across Alabama. SB 154 by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, and HB 264 by Rep. Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley, would ease this burden for thousands of people. Here are four reasons to support these bills in the Alabama Legislature’s 2023 regular session: 95% of the nearly 170,000 [...]
Fact Sheet
It’s time to expand Medicaid and close Alabama’s coverage gap
Here are five reasons it’s time to expand Medicaid and close Alabama’s coverage gap: Nearly 300,000 Alabamians with low incomes would benefit from Medicaid expansion. People in the coverage gap earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough for an affordable private health insurance plan on the Marketplace. This leaves them in the [...]
Fact Sheet
What would an ideal plan to untax groceries in Alabama look like?
Several tax bills (including grocery tax cut bills) will be discussed this year in the Alabama Legislature. What makes a tax reform bill good for Alabamians? Here are four important factors to keep in mind: It provides a tax cut for families with low incomes (not just wealthy households). Alabama’s state sales tax on groceries [...]
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.