WBRC: Interview with Jim Carnes on uninsurance during the COVID-19 pandemic A report released last month linked lack of health insurance to higher rates of death from COVID-19. Arise’s Jim Carnes talked to WBRC Fox 6 in Birmingham about the human cost of not expanding Medicaid. “There’s the constant challenge of how to avoid needing health care, how to avoid going to the doctor and incurring payments you quite possibly can’t make.”  |
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AL.com: Gambling in, Medicaid expansion out, with Alabama’s latest rural health care approach Arise’s Robyn Hyden spoke to AL.com about our continued advocacy for Medicaid expansion in Alabama as we near the end of the legislative session. Expansion “yields a tremendous benefit in state savings and all of the immediate economic development impacts (that will help pay) for doctors and nurses,” she said. “We think the math has never been better.” |
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ABC News, Australia: Why US President Joe Biden's next big battle is raising the federal minimum wage The Australian Broadcasting Corporation interviewed Alabamians dealing with poverty and a stagnant minimum wage, including Arise board member Kenneth King. King describes the harsh realities of not being able to make ends meet and what a higher wage would mean for his family: “Give me $15 an hour and in three months I would never need to go back to social services again.” |
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Register for Arise's 2021 legislative session wrap-up The 2021 legislative session will end on May 17. Join us the next day – Tuesday, May 18 – to find out what happened. We also will discuss initial next steps to keep moving our vision forward! Registration is required. |
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| Bills we support: - SB 210 by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would restrict civil forfeiture of assets seized by police. SB 210 has been on two House calendars since the week of May 3 but has not been voted on yet. It could come up again on May 17, the last day of the session.
- HB 73 by Rep. Jim Hill, R-Moody, would require every judicial circuit to establish a community punishment and corrections program. HB 73 could be considered by the Senate on May 17.
Bills we oppose: - SB 97 by Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn, would restrict the authority of the state health officer during a pandemic. SB 97 could be considered by the House on May 17.
Bills we’re monitoring closely: - HB 308, by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, is the General Fund budget that funds Medicaid, corrections and other non-education services. Both the House and Senate are expected to vote for final passage of the budget on May 17. Until HB 308 is sent to the governor for her signature, all other bills will require a supermajority procedural vote in both houses, which could make passage of any other bills more difficult on the last day of the session. Arise is monitoring appropriations in HB 308.
- SB 319 by Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, would propose a constitutional amendment to establish a lottery and a lottery and gaming commission. SB 309 by Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, would authorize a lottery commission if voters approve the constitutional amendment. SB 310 by Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, would authorize a gaming commission if voters approve the constitutional amendment. These bills failed to be considered by the House last week but could still come up on May 17. Arise has no position on these bills but is tracking the appropriation of lottery revenue.
Alabama Arise tracks legislation related to our members' interests. You can find our Bills of Interest here. |
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