Alabama Arise: Tell your state rep: Vote YES for an income tax cut for struggling Alabamians

SB 19, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, would increase the standard deduction and dependent exemption for families at lower income levels. This would mean more money in the household budget for people who need it most. Tell your state representative that you support this important step to help struggling Alabamians make ends meet. 

Alabama Arise: Tell your state senator to untax groceries!

Please take a minute TODAY to urge your state senator to untax groceries by voting YES on SB 43 by Sen. Andrew Jones. Alabama's state sales tax on groceries is a cruel tax on survival. This tax drives struggling people deeper into poverty and makes it harder for families to make ends meet, particularly in these times of rising food prices. You can help end the tax on groceries and protect public schools by calling your state senator today and asking them to vote YES on SB 43.

Reckon: Alabama and Mississippi poised to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage, bringing the South closer to rest of U.S.

Alabama has the opportunity to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage to one year after childbirth, up from the current 60 days. This move would save and improve lives across our state. Arise campaign director Jane Adams spoke to Reckon South about how critical this life-saving policy change would be.

Further Reading:

WVUA 23: State bill proposes extending health coverage for pregnant, postpartum women

SoundBite Services: AL groups to Congress: Pass full-year appropriations bill

The federal appropriations bill that Congress passed last week included vital funding increases for a range of human services. As Arise's Carol Gundlach told SoundBite Services: "From housing to food and nutrition programs to health services ... the needs have grown, and the money hasn't."

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: How states can best use federal Fiscal Rcovery Funds: Lessons from state choices so far

Last week marked the first anniversary of the American Rescue Plan Act's passage, leading to historic economic relief for Americans in the wake of the pandemic. This new report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows just how strong of an impact ARPA had on economic recovery and poverty reduction.

Further Reading:

CBPP: American Rescue Plan’s Fiscal Recovery Funds are helping produce a stronger recovery

CBPP: Fiscal recovery fund spending by states, U.S. territories

Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama voters to decide on removal of racist language from state constitution

Lawmakers have approved a proposed amendment by Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, that would remove racist language from the Alabama state constitution. The measure now goes to a statewide vote. Arise supports this proposal, just as we supported the 2020 amendment that enabled this effort to remove references to segregation and racist language. Coleman's amendment would specifically remove language that refers to poll taxes, involuntary servitude and school segregation.

Alabama Arise: LIVE BLOG: Alabama’s 2022 legislative session

Stay up to date with the 2022 legislative session. Our website has a live feed of Alabama Arise’s Twitter account, which will display information related to our 2022 issue priorities as well the latest news from our staff and members of the media.

Bills we're watching