Arise legislative recap: January 25, 2022

The Alabama Legislature has stepped away briefly from its regular session for a special session on federal COVID-19 relief funds. Arise executive director Robyn Hyden provides an overview of how lawmakers plan to allocate the next portion of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money this week. And she explains why affordable housing and public transportation should be among the top priorities for the next round of ARPA funding.

Alabama Arise: New poll: Alabamians strongly support use of ARPA funds to protect rural hospitals, increase mental health services

Alabamians overwhelmingly support using ARPA money to boost mental health care and rural hospitals, a new Alabama Arise poll released Monday shows. They also favor using the COVID-19 relief funds for child care, housing and public transportation.

Further Reading:

Alabama Arise: Six ways Alabama should use ARPA funds to build a better, more inclusive future

Alabama Arise: Alabama Arise testimony on ARPA funding priorities in Alabama

Arise executive director Robyn Hyden spoke in front of lawmakers last week and urged them to prioritize funding long-term investments to expand economic opportunity across our state. Affordable housing, public transportation and modernized technology are among the ARPA priorities she lifted up to legislators.

Further Reading:

WSFA: Agencies tell Ala. lawmakers how they would use COVID-19 relief funds

WHNT: Alabama Arise working to improve lives for Alabama’s poor

Arise campaign director Jane Adams gave a detailed interview to WHNT 19 in Huntsville about our work promoting policies for a more equitable Alabama. She highlights our roadmap for change and describes why Medicaid expansion is key for a fairer, healthier and more inclusive Alabama.

Valley Labor Report: American Rescue Plan Act funds in Alabama with Carol Gundlach

Arise's Carol Gundlach appeared on the Valley Labor Report in Huntsville recently to discuss our suggestions for how lawmakers should use ARPA funds to improve lives across Alabama. Listen starting at the 1:21:00 mark.

WHNT: Taking advantage of getting free at-home COVID-19 tests

The federal government is providing four free COVID-19 tests to any home in the United States that requests them. Arise's Jane Adams appeared on WHNT 19 in Huntsville to encourage Alabamians to participate in this new program.

Alabama Arise: Welcome Rebecca Howard to the Arise team!

We're excited to introduce Rebecca Howard as Arise's new policy and advocacy director! Rebecca is a University of Alabama graduate who previously worked as a policy adviser for former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones and the Learning Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. Click below to read more about Rebecca.

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

HB 1, by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, and SB 1, by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore

These companion bills appropriate more than $770 million in ARPA funds that have been made available to Alabama. Most of the money will go to broadband expansion at $277 million and water and sewer projects at $225 million. Additional funds will be directed to hospitals, nursing homes and public health agencies, local emergency responders and the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund. Both bills were approved by their respective House and Senate committees on Thursday and will be considered by their respective houses this week.

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

Read Bills of Interest

Alabama Arise

P.O. Box 1188, Montgomery, Alabama 36101

(334) 832-9060 · [email protected]

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