Valley Labor Report: AL state Senate committee passes COVID liability protection & immunity bill

Arise executive director Robyn Hyden spoke to the Valley Labor Report last week about Arise’s opposition to SB 30. The bill would provide corporations with a broad range of civil immunity against lawsuits related to exposure to coronavirus or contraction of COVID-19.

Alabama Arise testimony in opposition to corporate COVID-19 immunity bill

Arise’s Robyn Hyden testified against SB 30 in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Find the full text of her remarks below.

Associated Press: Bills on pandemic power, virus lawsuit protection advance

SB 30, the corporate immunity bill, passed quickly in the Senate last week. Arise’s Robyn Hyden urged lawmakers to act just as swiftly to protect the interests of Alabamians who are struggling financially amid the pandemic: “Front-line workers deserve access to health care, hazard pay and social support programs if they are unable to work in a high-risk field.”

We still make change: Advocating in Alabama in the time of COVID-19

Because of the session’s uncertain flow and the difficulty of meeting with legislators to discuss issues, we must use every method possible this year to inform and influence our legislators at the local level. David Stout provides insight on some of the key approaches you can take.

NewsChannel 5: Democrats debate increasing minimum wage to $15/hour in COVID-19 stimulus bill

An increase in the federal minimum wage would be a vital step to help struggling Alabamians make ends. “Alabama has never instituted a state minimum wage,” Arise’s Dev Wakeley tells Scripps TV reporter Joe St. George. “The only protections are the ones instituted by the federal government.”

'I'm walking this tightrope that could disappear at any moment'

Cortney Brown owns a small business in Huntsville. But even though she has worked multiple jobs during the pandemic, she still can’t afford health coverage to ensure regular access to mental health treatment. Arise story collection coordinator Whit Sides introduces us to Cortney – one of the more than 50,000 working Alabama women living in the Medicaid coverage gap – and explains how Medicaid expansion would improve life for tens of thousands of Alabamians like her.

Bills we're watching this week:

HB 170, a bill by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, passed the House last week and will be up in the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee on Tuesday afternoon. While this bill would exempt federal CARES Act benefits from state taxation, it also includes a major corporate income tax change that we are concerned could reduce revenue to the Education Trust Fund. Arise opposes this bill.
SB 30, the bill by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, to give businesses immunity from COVID-19 liability, will be considered in the House this week. Arise opposes this bill.
HB 129, a bill by Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, to end driver's license suspensions in the case of non-moving violations, will be considered in the House Judiciary Committee this week. Arise supports this bill.

Alabama Arise

P.O. Box 1188, Montgomery, Alabama 36101

(334) 832-9060 · [email protected]

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