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Medicaid expansion: Alabama’s path to long-term health and financial security
With North Carolina having joined the list of Medicaid expansion states, Alabama remains part of a dwindling group of just 10 states that have not closed the health coverage gap. More states are starting to realize the benefits of Medicaid expansion and finally adopting this life-saving measure. But Alabama unfortunately remains an outlier. By failing [...]
Blog
Arise legislative update: May 30, 2023
As the Alabama Legislature's 2023 regular session begins to wind down, Arise's Carol Gundlach looks at the House passage of HB 479, a major breakthrough on our longtime goal of reducing the state sales tax on groceries. She also discusses four major budget bills headed to the governor's desk.
Fact Sheet
How would the grocery tax reduction bill (HB 479) benefit every Alabamian?
HB 479 by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, is a grocery tax reduction bill that would benefit every Alabamian. Below is a look at the principles that make a grocery tax reform bill good, what the bill does and what Alabamians need next. What makes a grocery tax reform bill good for Alabamians Provides a tax [...]
Letters & Testimony
Alabama Arise testimony in support of untaxing groceries
Alabama Arise's Robyn Hyden testified Wednesday before the House Ways and Means Education Committee in support of a bill to reduce the state sales tax on groceries. HB 479, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, would reduce the state grocery tax from 4% to 2% over time. It also would make this cut contingent on [...]
Fact Sheet
It’s time to provide older Alabamians with a second chance: Pass Rep. England’s HB 229
Alabama’s prison population has steadily been getting older and more expensive to house. In 2005, about 36% of people in Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) custody were between ages 15 and 30. By 2021, that number had been halved and is now around 18%. Our state’s crime rate fell dramatically – by nearly 17% – [...]
Fact Sheet
It’s time for Alabama to end outdated death penalty practices: Pass Rep. England’s HB 14
HB 14 by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, would require unanimous jury sentencing in death penalty cases and make the ban on judicial override retroactive. Here’s why Alabama Arise supports this legislation: Alabama is one of only two states* that doesn’t require a unanimous jury verdict to sentence someone to death. In Alabama, only 10 jurors [...]
Blog
Arise legislative update: May 22, 2023
Arise's Akiesha Anderson shares some good news from last week's action at the Alabama Legislature. Those breakthroughs include the introduction of a House bill to reduce the state grocery tax, with nearly every representative joining as a co-sponsor. We also saw progress on several criminal justice reform bills, including the passage of SB 154, which [...]
Blog
What Medicaid members need to know about Alabama Medicaid’s ‘unwinding’
After a continuous enrollment period brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Alabama Medicaid has begun an unwinding process. This “unwinding” will end Medicaid coverage for Medicaid members who don’t meet certain criteria. Read below to find out more about this process, including when and how Medicaid members will need to certify their eligibility. Click here [...]
Blog
Arise legislative update: May 15, 2023
Arise's Akiesha Anderson breaks down recent developments at the Alabama Legislature, including the committee approval of a troubling bill that could redirect a large amount of public school funding to private schools. She also discusses legislation we're excited about, including the continuing progress of a bill that would greatly reduce the number of driver's license [...]
Fact Sheet
Why Arise supports HB 479 / SB 257, a good plan to untax groceries in Alabama
SB 257 by Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, and HB 479 by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, are grocery tax reduction bills that would benefit every Alabamian. Below is a look at the principles that make a grocery tax reform bill good, what the bills do and what Alabamians need next. What makes a grocery tax reform [...]