Current Issues

ACPP members have chosen the following issues as policy priorities for 2010.
(The first two are permanent priorities, and the remaining five reflect this year’s member concerns.)

Adequate state budgets
Fairer state policies toward low-income Alabamians usually depend on adequate state funding. By the same token, budget cuts to health care, child care, education and other human services can have a disproportionate impact on “the least of these.”

ACPP will work to move beyond merely “protecting” under-funded human services from harmful cuts to securing funding that is adequate to cover basic needs.

Tax reform
Despite our 2006 win – an increase in the income tax threshold from $4,600 to $12,600 – Alabama continues to tax low-income people deeper into poverty.

ACPP will support Rep. John Knight’s proposal to raise the threshold to $19,200,
eliminate the state portion of the sales tax on groceries, and end the unfair deduction for federal income taxes paid.
ACPP believes the lasting solution to our recurrent health care funding shortfalls is new revenue for the General Fund.

READ Entire list of Issues

These goals are steps toward our 15-year goals:

A fair, adequate, transparent and simple state tax system

A restorative criminal justice system rather than a punitive one

A new state constitution that reflects Arise’s core values

A state budget that provides equitable and adequate services for low-income people

Wages, benefits and policies that provide economic security for all working people in the state

Safe, affordable, accessible and adequate housing for all Alabamians

Past and Present Publications On Issues Below