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In a setback for Alabama borrowers, Senate committee blocks payday lending reform bill
Nearly three in four Alabamians support a strict 36% interest rate cap on payday loans. But public sentiment wasn’t enough Wednesday to convince a state Senate committee to approve even a modest new consumer protection. The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee voted 8-6 against SB 58, also known as the 30 Days to Pay bill. [...]
In the News
Payday lending restriction bill fails in Senate committee
An Alabama Senate committee blocked the 30 Days to Pay bill despite broad public support for payday lending reform. "The Legislature has had multiple opportunities to act, and I'm really discouraged to see this committee not move this bill forward," Arise's Robyn Hyden tells WSFA 12 in Montgomery. Learn more from WSFA 12 News.
Newsletter
February 2020 newsletter
Arise 2020: Our vision for a better Alabama By Chris Sanders, communications director Alabama Arise members have worked for more than three decades to build a brighter, more inclusive future. And we see real opportunities to advance that vision during the Legislature’s 2020 regular session, which began Feb. 4. [caption id="attachment_3618" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The Alabama [...]
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Why we’re spreading the word about the Census across Alabama
Filling out your Census form is quick and easy. It only takes about 10 minutes to answer 10 questions. You won’t have to do it again for 10 years. And your answers are completely confidential. It may not seem like much, but the stakes are high. The accuracy of Alabama’s 2020 Census count will shape [...]
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Arise legislative recap: Feb. 7, 2020
The Alabama Legislature's 2020 regular session has begun, and we're excited about the opportunities ahead to make life better for struggling Alabamians. Arise's Pres Harris explains why we need you with us at Legislative Day on Feb. 25. She also highlights some early progress on payday lending reform.
In the News
Training program gives job opportunities to food assistance clients
"Most people on SNAP who are of working age are already working, but probably not the kind of jobs you could get with a welding or machinist certificate," Arise's Carol Gundlach tells The Anniston Star. Read more from The Anniston Star.
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How Alabama can reform its criminal justice system to work for everyone
Alabamians deserve a justice system that sentences fairly, provides helpful rehabilitative services and keeps people safe during incarceration. But Alabama often falls catastrophically short of fulfilling those obligations. Our state’s prisons are violent and poorly staffed. As a result, they often function as little more than warehouses to keep people locked up until their sentences [...]
Blog
Arise 2020: Our vision for a better Alabama
Alabama Arise members have worked for more than three decades to build a brighter, more inclusive future for our state. And as the Legislature’s 2020 regular session starts Tuesday, we’re proud to renew that commitment. Below, Arise executive director Robyn Hyden highlights some key goals for the session, including Medicaid expansion and untaxing groceries. How [...]
Blog
Medicaid block grants are a dangerous path toward coverage cuts
The federal Medicaid changes announced Thursday won’t affect anyone now enrolled in Alabama Medicaid. But they could put coverage at risk in the years ahead for hundreds of thousands of Alabamians. This is a worrisome step down a road to increased human suffering and greater financial strain for struggling families. Guidance from the Centers for [...]
In the News
Prison policy recommendations put major focus on recidivism
Alabama's lack of investment in mental health care and substance use disorder treatment is a huge factor in our state's prison overcrowding. "The biggest way to address it would be Medicaid expansion," Arise's Dev Wakeley tells WSFA 12 in Montgomery. Learn more from WSFA 12 News.