Alabama Arise believes in dignity, equity and justice for all. We believe in an Alabama where everyone's voice is heard and everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. And we believe better public policies are the key to building a brighter future for our state.

Below, we'll share some details of that vision with you before the Alabama Legislature's regular session begins March 7. Today's email will focus on three crucial policy priorities on our 2023 roadmap to change: untaxing groceries, directing remaining ARPA funds to Arise priorities, and expanding Medicaid. Next week, we’ll discuss our other vital priorities.

With your help, we can turn our shared vision for a better Alabama into reality. If you aren't yet an Arise individual member, please become one today. And if you're already a member, please encourage your friends to join our movement for change as well. Together, we can build a better Alabama!

Arise 2023: Untax groceries and protect funding for public schools

Alabama’s broken tax system drives many families deeper into poverty — and the state sales tax on groceries is a particularly cruel tax on survival. Fortunately, lawmakers can choose a more responsible path forward. Alabama can untax groceries and protect funding for our public schools by reining in a tax deduction that overwhelmingly benefits the wealthiest households.

Arise 2023: Remaining ARPA funds can jumpstart transportation and help thousands find a place to call home

Alabama’s failure to invest in public transportation is hurting people, communities, the economy and the environment. Many seniors, people with disabilities and people with low incomes need public transit to get to work, medical care, the grocery store and more. Similarly, Alabama lacks more than 73,000 affordable homes for households with incomes below the federal poverty line. That means many seniors, students, veterans and people with low or fixed incomes in Alabama can’t afford a safe place to call home.

Legislators can provide essential relief to people across our state by using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and other dollars to meet public transit and housing needs.

Arise 2023: It's time to expand Medicaid and close Alabama's health coverage gap

For nearly a decade, Alabama has been outside looking in on a good deal. While hundreds of thousands of Alabamians continue to struggle without health insurance, state leaders have failed to expand Medicaid. A few loud voices have politicized an issue that never should have been political. And our state has paid the price in lost dollars, lost jobs and lost lives. Alabama is one of 11 states that has yet to expand Medicaid. And that inaction has left more than 220,000 Alabamians in a health coverage gap. It’s time to prioritize the people of our state and build a healthier future for Alabama. It’s time to expand Medicaid.