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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 [...]
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Arise legislative update: May 1, 2023
Arise's Mike Nicholson provides an update on a few criminal justice bills in the Alabama Legislature's 2023 regular session, including one to end many debt-based driver's license suspensions. He also explains ways Arise is providing up-to-date information on bills we're watching and how you can get involved with our movement for change.
Fact Sheet
Alabama shouldn’t make housing insecurity a crime: Vote ‘No’ on HB 24
HB 24, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, would make it a Class C misdemeanor to loiter on a public roadway or the right-of-way of a public roadway. This effectively would criminalize Alabamians who are experiencing homelessness and asking for help. Here are three reasons why Arise opposes this bill: Alabama should invest in [...]
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Arise legislative update: April 17, 2023
Arise's Akiesha Anderson provides an update on two bills we're watching in the Alabama Legislature this week. We are urging the Senate to support a bill that would end many driver's license suspensions for debt-based reasons. And we are urging a House committee to oppose a bill that would add harmful and confusing limits to [...]
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Alabama Arise Action Legislative Day 2023
Arise held our 2023 Legislative Day on Tuesday, April 11. More than 100 supporters joined us in Montgomery to hear updates on our policy priorities and urge their lawmakers to untax groceries, expand Medicaid and end debt-based driver’s license suspensions. Thank you to everyone who spoke out for a better Alabama for all!
Fact Sheet
Vote ‘Yes’ on SB 154 / HB 264 – Sen. Barfoot & Rep. Wadsworth’s bills to end debt-based driver’s license suspensions
Debt-based driver’s license suspensions are harming people and communities across Alabama. SB 154 by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, and HB 264 by Rep. Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley, would ease this burden for thousands of people. Here are four reasons to support these bills in the Alabama Legislature’s 2023 regular session: 95% of the nearly 170,000 [...]
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Arise legislative update: April 10, 2023
Arise's Mike Nicholson highlights three criminal justice reform bills that we're watching and supporting during the Alabama Legislature's 2023 regular session. This legislation would help modernize our state's sentencing system, reduce the burdens of high fines and fees, and ease voting rights restoration for many Alabamians who were formerly incarcerated.
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Arise legislative update: March 6, 2023
Before the Alabama Legislature returns this week, Arise's Akiesha Anderson welcomes everyone with an update on an upcoming special session on federal American Rescue Plan Act funds and an overview of Arise's member-chosen policy priorities for 2023.
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Fresh opportunities to push for a better Alabama
The Alabama Legislature will welcome 37 new lawmakers to its halls when its 2023 regular session begins March 7. Alabama Arise sees this as an opportunity to educate new legislators and identify new allies on issues of importance to our members. We urge folks to join us in calling for change, including at Arise Legislative [...]
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Budget priorities for the people
Two weeks before the Alabama Legislature’s 2023 regular session, lawmakers, lobbyists and advocates packed into the State House in late February for the annual joint legislative budget hearings. One might call it the Super Bowl for budget nerds. After years of scarcity, both Alabama budgets are starting out with a revenue surplus. There’s $351 million [...]