Arise Update
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In This Issue...

March 14, 2022

       

A white woman with short white hair looks towards the camera.

Arise legislative recap: March 14, 2022

Arise's Carol Gundlach discusses SB 19, which would provide a small but significant income tax cut for Alabamians with low and moderate incomes. She also discusses Arise's Untax Groceries Rally, scheduled for this Tuesday, March 15. Visit untaxgroceries.org to learn more.

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 Action: Register to attend the Untax Groceries Rally on Tuesday

Food and other necessities should not be taxed. We have an opportunity to help families make ends meet and protect funding for public schools. Please join us for a rally to support removing the state sales tax on groceries in Alabama on Tuesday, March 15, from noon to 1 p.m. on the State House steps in Montgomery. Register and find more information at the link below. 

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

  • SB 106 by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, is the General Fund budget for Medicaid, mental health and other non-education public services. The House will vote on SB 106 and accompanying bills on Tuesday. Arise is monitoring these budget bills.
  • HB 200 by Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, would end driver’s license suspensions for failure to pay fines and fees. The House Judiciary Committee will vote on HB 200 on Wednesday. Arise supports HB 200.
  • HB 312 by Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, would prohibit the teaching of “divisive concepts” in public schools. The House State Government Committee will vote on HB 312 on Wednesday. Arise opposes HB 312.
  • HB 316 by Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, would establish minimum guidelines for the handling of court costs, fees and fines in municipal courts. The House State Government Committee will consider HB 316 on Wednesday. Arise supports HB 316.
  • HB 459 by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, would increase local funding for charter schools. The House Ways and Means Education Committee will consider HB 459 on Wednesday. Arise opposes HB 459.
  • SB 290 by Sen. Tom Butler, R-Madison, would reduce the business privilege tax. The House Ways and Means General Fund Committee will consider SB 290 on Wednesday. Arise is monitoring SB 290.

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Alabama Arise

P.O. Box 1188, Montgomery, Alabama 36101

(334) 832-9060  ·  [email protected]

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