Blog
Public policy should make life better for everyone, not just a select few. Throughout the year, Arise tracks a range of state and federal policy proposals and assesses what they would mean for Alabamians who are struggling to make ends meet. Our blog provides quick updates on these proposals and offers tips on what you can do to help build an Alabama where all people have an opportunity to reach their full potential.
Blog
Arise 2020: Why Alabama should fund public transportation
Public transportation is vital infrastructure for a state looking toward the future. It allows people who lack other transportation options – including seniors, people with disabilities, and people who can’t afford a car – to get to work, go to the doctor and meet other basic needs. Reliable public transportation strengthens communities and makes a [...]
Blog
Arise 2020: Break down barriers to voting rights in Alabama
Voting is an essential tool for people to speak out about the future they want. By breaking down barriers to voting, we promote greater civic engagement. And we make it easier for folks to make their voices heard about issues that matter in their communities. Alabama’s sad history of racist voting restrictions means our state [...]
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Arise 2020: Stop criminal justice debt from putting thousands of lives on hold
Criminal justice debt shouldn’t prevent a person from building a stable, secure life. But Alabama imposes millions of dollars in fines every year without considering a person’s ability to pay them. The state also conditions many rights and privileges, often including voting rights restoration, on whether a person has repaid fines. Further, despite a prohibition [...]
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Arise 2020: End the injustices in Alabama’s death penalty system
All Alabamians deserve equal justice under the law. But bias and inequality persist in Alabama’s capital punishment system, despite recent reforms. Even though the state finally outlawed judicial override in 2017, the ban did not apply retroactively. That means dozens of people who were sentenced to death despite a jury’s sentencing recommendation of life without [...]
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Arise 2020: Stop the debt trap for Alabama payday borrowers
A small loan shouldn’t be a sentence to months or years of deep debt. Everyone who needs to borrow money should have a reasonable pathway to repaying a loan without excessive costs. But in Alabama, high-cost payday loans cost struggling people tens of millions of dollars every year. As our recent report with Alabama Appleseed [...]
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Spread the word about our 2020 blueprint for change!
Alabama's 2020 legislative session starts Feb. 4, 2020, and Alabama Arise is excited to keep working to make life better for people across our state. We think Medicaid expansion, untaxing groceries and our other priority issues offer a blueprint for real change in Alabama. You can help spread the word and build support for these [...]
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To whom much is given, much is expected
Guest post by Judy Taylor. My name is Judy Taylor. I’m proud to serve on Alabama Arise’s board of directors and to count myself as an Arise member and supporter. And I urge you to join me in supporting Arise’s work to help struggling Alabamians through better public policies. Grant funding will match up to [...]
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I feel welcome in Arise — and you will, too
Guest post by Ana Delia Valeriano. My name is Ana Delia Valeriano. I’m proud to serve on Alabama Arise’s board of directors and to count myself as an Arise member and supporter. I’m writing today to thank you for your support, and to let you know that you can double your impact when you give [...]
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Why Arise’s work is personal to me
Guest post by Kenneth Tyrone King. My name is Kenneth Tyrone King. I’m proud to serve on Alabama Arise’s board of directors and to count myself as an Arise member and supporter. I’m writing today to thank you for your support, and to let you know that you can double your impact when you give [...]
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Alabama Medicaid long-term care reforms already exceeding goals
Alabamians who need long-term care services should be able to get them at home or in their communities whenever possible. And Alabama Medicaid’s new reform initiative, the Integrated Care Network (ICN), is making progress toward that goal. The ICN has completed a successful first year of operation with strong help from consumer voices at the [...]