WBHM: Why Alabama lawmakers just won’t give up the grocery tax

Alabama is just one of three states that fully taxes groceries. Arise communications director Chris Sanders highlights the inequities created by Alabama’s insistence on keeping the grocery tax. “We exempt food for farm animals, but we don’t exempt food for babies,” he tells WBHM 90.3 in Birmingham.

Further reading:

Alabama Arise: How the state grocery tax hurts struggling Alabamians (fact sheet)

Cover Alabama: Alabama medical professionals call on Governor Kay Ivey to expand Medicaid

More than 300 medical professionals, including physicians, nurses and psychologists, sent a joint letter to Gov. Kay Ivey last week urging her to expand Medicaid. This move comes after numerous health care associations and organizations previously expressed support. Medicaid expansion would ensure health care access for hundreds of thousands of Alabamians who are uninsured or struggling to afford coverage.

See also:

• Alabama Political Reporter: More than 300 Alabama medical professionals to Ivey: Expand Medicaid
• Bama Politics: Alabama medical professionals call on Governor Kay Ivey to expand Medicaid

Alabama Arise: A healthier Alabama is just over the horizon

Arise's next Membership Monday is today!

Membership Mondays are an opportunity for Alabama Arise members to network and get more energized in our work together. In these online sessions, members will get the latest updates on the legislative session. Then they will break into groups to talk to other Arise members around the state. The next event is today, Monday, April 12, at 6 p.m. via Zoom. If you aren’t yet an Arise member, please join our movement for as little as $15 today.

Bills we're watching

• SB 117 by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, would expand expungement of criminal records and increase the filing fee for expungements. SB 117 will be considered on the House floor on Tuesday, April 13. Arise supports the expansion of expungement but opposes the increase in filing fees.
• HB 241 by Rep. Mike Holmes, R-Wetumpka, would limit the state health officer’s authority to issue orders in response to disease outbreaks. SB 241 will be considered in the House State Government Committee on Wednesday, April 14. Arise opposes HB 241.
• HB 242 by Rep. Mike Holmes, R-Wetumpka, would increase the fines for removal of a historic monument and allow for punitive damages if a monument is removed. HB 242 will be considered in the House State Government Committee on Wednesday, April 14. Arise opposes HB 242.
• SB 178 by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, would reduce the confinement period for parole violations by the time served in holding. SB 178 will be considered in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, April 14. Arise supports SB 178.
• SB 319 by Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, proposes a constitutional amendment to establish a lottery in Alabama. The Senate carried over SB 319 on Wednesday, April 7, but the bill could come up again this week. Arise has no position on SB 319.

Alabama Arise tracks legislation related to our members' interests. You can find our Bills of Interest here.