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Higher education cuts are undermining Alabama’s future
Shortchanging higher education is shortchanging Alabama’s future. It’s a harmful choice that’s limiting opportunity for people across our state. But better policy choices can create a more prosperous future and help all Alabamians reach their full potential. Alabama has slashed its per-student state higher education funding more than any other state over the last decade, [...]
In the News
More Alabama children were uninsured in 2018 than in 2016, new report shows
"Children's health coverage has long been a point of pride for Alabama, and we can't afford to backslide," Arise's Jim Carnes tells the Alabama Political Reporter. "ALL Kids and Medicaid have played huge roles in that success. And our state should build on those gains by expanding Medicaid to cover adults with low incomes as [...]
Fact Sheet
Alabama Arise comments on how proposed SNAP changes would reduce school meal access
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing a rule that would require some states to reduce gross income limits for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applicants. It also would force 42 states, including Alabama, to impose resource limits on applicants. More than 3 million people would become ineligible for food assistance under the rule, [...]
In the News
New report shows increase in uninsured Alabama children
"The states that have expanded Medicaid showed less of a decline in children's coverage," Arise's Jim Carnes tells WHNT 19 in Huntsville. "When parents have coverage in the family, the children are more likely to have coverage." Learn more from WHNT 19.
News Releases
More Alabama children were uninsured in 2018 than in 2016, new report shows
Alabama’s rate of uninsured children has moved in the wrong direction since 2016, according to a report released Wednesday by Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families. The state’s uninsured rate for children (3.5%) remained one of the best in the South and was far below the national average (5.2%) in 2018. But after years [...]
In the News
Report ranks Alabama worst in the U.S. for higher education cuts
"A lot of qualified students decide not to pursue the degree or to finish a degree program because they’re simply priced out of the opportunity to do so," Arise's Chris Sanders tells WBHM 90.3 in Birmingham. "So we are dissuading folks from pursuing their dreams. We’re reducing campus diversity, and we’re reducing opportunity for people [...]
Blog
You can help protect school meals for thousands of Alabama children
We alerted you this summer to a proposed rule that could deny 36,000 Alabamians access to food assistance under the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). By changing SNAP’s categorical eligibility requirements, this proposal would deny or reduce nutrition assistance to almost 3 million struggling Americans. But it turns out it’s even worse for children than [...]
In the News
Tuition at Ala. colleges on the rise
Soaring college tuition means "we're reducing campus diversity, and we're reducing opportunity," Arise's Chris Sanders tells WSFA 12 in Montgomery. "A lot of jobs these days require two-year and four-year degrees. And if folks are priced out of that, they lose the opportunity to advance in their careers and pursue their dreams." Learn more from [...]
News Releases
Alabama’s higher ed funding cuts since 2008 are the nation’s worst
Alabama has slashed its per-student state higher education funding more than any other state over the last decade, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), a nonpartisan research organization based in Washington, D.C. Since 2008, Alabama has cut state higher education funding by 36.2%, or $4,466 per student, [...]
Blog
Affordable child care is an investment in Alabama’s future
“Anybody who’s ever paid for child care knows it’s cheaper to pay for college sometimes.” That’s what I told AL.com’s Anna Claire Vollers about Alabama’s shortage of affordable child care. Her new article this week examines how expensive child care limits economic opportunity for struggling parents across our state. Quality, affordable child care is essential [...]