Latest news with #AlabamaArise
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Huntsville grocery shoppers react to lowering of Grocery Tax
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Starting in September, shoppers in Alabama will pay less sales tax on their groceries. A bill to lower the Grocery Tax from 3% to 2% is on its way to Governor Kay Ivey's desk. On Thursday, News 19 stopped by a grocery store in Huntsville to see how shoppers are feeling about this news. 'It's a good thing, you know, anytime they lower the cost for consumers, I'm happy with it,' said Tim Bright. He was one of many shoppers that News 19 spoke with who seemed to be excited by the change. Bright said this may bring a little relief to his wallet, as the prices of groceries have soared. 📲 to stay updated on the go. 📧 to have news sent to your inbox. 'You get sticker shock,' he said about walking into a grocery store. 'You go to the store and you're going like 'Where have I been?'' The sales tax change comes as both the Alabama House and Senate voted earlier this week to lower the statewide Grocery Tax. The new 2% rate will go into effect on Sept. 1 if signed by Governor Kay Ivey. A spokesperson for Governor Ivey's Office did not provide News 19 with a timeline for when she will sign it into law. However, the spokesperson said, 'The bill now goes before the governor for her signature.' The non-profit, public policy group Alabama Arise showed support for the bill, saying it 'will improve life for every Alabamian.' Executive Director Robyn Hyden told News 19 that it will help families save money. 'It does mean for the average Alabama family, another $150 a year that they get to hold on to,' she said. Hyden said it is a good move, especially for lower-income and working families. 'You know, everyone has to buy food, and as a result, poor people are disproportionately taxed via these sales taxes,' Hyden said. The Alabama Legislature already lowered the Grocery Tax from 4% to 3% in 2023. However, Hyden said that Alabama Arise would like to see that percentage disappear altogether. 'We still are, you know, wanting to finally get rid of all of the state sales tax on food,' she said. Shopper Tim Bright said he wouldn't mind that either. 'Anytime they want to lower them, go ahead,' he said about the grocery tax. Food City just opened the doors of its newest north Alabama location off of Old Gurley Road in northwest Huntsville. Store Manager Michael West said he thinks his customers will appreciate the lower sales tax. 'Having that extra percentage knocked off is going to be a real saver for a lot of people,' West said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama lawmakers approve tax cuts for food, diapers and other items
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday voted to cut the state sales tax on food and to exempt diapers, baby formula and menstrual hygiene products from the state sales tax altogether. The Alabama Senate approved both bills by votes of 34-0. The bills now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature. The food tax reduction comes as lawmakers in both parties said families are being hurt by soaring grocery prices. BWWB votes to sell utility company to city of Birmingham for $1 The reduction, if signed into law, will lower the state sales tax on food from 3% to 2% beginning Sept. 1. Lawmakers in 2023 reduced the tax from 4% to 3%. An additional reduction to 2% was planned but hinged on budget growth that did not materialize. 'We're still one of a few states that taxes groceries. We're headed toward zero taxes, we're headed in the right direction. This is big,' Republican Rep. Danny Garrett, the sponsor of the bill, said. The reduction will cost the state about $121 million annually in tax revenue that would otherwise goes to the Education Trust Fund. The leader of Alabama Arise, an advocacy group that supports policies that help low-income families, said the grocery tax belongs in the 'dustbin of history.' 'The grocery tax drives many families deeper into poverty, and Arise remains committed to the goal of eliminating it entirely,' Alabama Arise Executive Director Robyn Hyden said. Lawmakers also approved a bill that will exempt baby formula, maternity clothing, diapers and menstrual hygiene products from state sales tax. Baby wipes, breast pumps and bottles would also be exempt. The exemption from the 4% sales tax will cost the state about $13 million annually. 'This is a big win for Alabama's working families,' Democratic Rep. Neil Rafferty, the sponsor of the bill, wrote on social media about the approval. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
08-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Alabama lawmakers pass legislation that could give pregnant women more access to health care
Alabama legislators unanimously passed a bill on Tuesday that would expedite access to Medicaid for pregnant women, as more states across the South attempt to stem high maternal and infant mortality rates. The 'presumptive eligibility' legislation states that Medicaid will pay for a pregnant woman's outpatient medical care for up to 60 days while an application for the government-funded insurance program is being considered. The bill will now go to Republican Gov. Kay Ivey 's desk for her signature. Many Republican legislators endorsed the bill as 'pro-life." Democratic lawmakers said that it was essential for addressing Alabama's delivery health outcomes that lag behind the rest of the country. Other states have adopted a similar strategy for addressing some of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates nationwide. Legislators in Mississippi and Arkansas have passed laws that would offer similar coverage to expectant mothers. One study found Alabama had a maternal mortality rate of 64.63 deaths per 100,000 births between 2018 and 2021, nearly double the national rate of 34.09 per 100,000 births. That jumps to 100.07 deaths for Black women in the state. Hospital closures in rural parts of the state have left many women without access to prenatal care. Last year, nearly 1 in 5 pregnant Alabama women didn't receive prenatal care until after five months of pregnancy, or otherwise received less than 50% of the appropriate number of the recommended visits throughout her pregnancy, according to The March of Dimes. That is in part because one in six women of childbearing age fall within the coverage gap, making too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford private insurance, according to Alabama Arise, an advocacy group for low-income families. Alabama is among 10 states nationwide that have not expanded Medicaid, which means many low-income women are only eligible for Medicaid once they become pregnant. A pregnant woman in Alabama with no dependents can qualify for Medicaid if she makes $21,996 or less, or up to $37,704 if she is part of a household of three. Medicaid was used to pay for 45% of all births in Alabama in 2023, according to the most recent report published by the Alabama Department of Public Health. More than half of all infant deaths were to mothers who used Medicaid. The Alabama bill would increase Medicaid spending statewide by about $1 million annually over the course of three years, with about two-thirds coming from the federal government. Another bill that advanced in March seeks to expand access to medical care for expectant mothers by allowing midwives to provide care outside of hospitals in freestanding birth centers. But recent amendments to the legislation prohibits midwifes from performing many standard medical screenings for newborns that are necessary to detect genetic disorders. The Alabama Midwives Alliance said that the legislation 'started as a good bill' in a video posted on Facebook in April, but added that the amendments 'take it in the wrong direction.' ___ Safiyah Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alabama lawmakers pass legislation that could give pregnant women more access to health care
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama legislators unanimously passed a bill on Tuesday that would expedite access to Medicaid for pregnant women, as more states across the South attempt to stem high maternal and infant mortality rates. The 'presumptive eligibility' legislation states that Medicaid will pay for a pregnant woman's outpatient medical care for up to 60 days while an application for the government-funded insurance program is being considered. The bill will now go to Republican Gov. Kay Ivey's desk for her signature. Many Republican legislators endorsed the bill as 'pro-life." Democratic lawmakers said that it was essential for addressing Alabama's delivery health outcomes that lag behind the rest of the country. Other states have adopted a similar strategy for addressing some of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates nationwide. Legislators in Mississippi and Arkansas have passed laws that would offer similar coverage to expectant mothers. One study found Alabama had a maternal mortality rate of 64.63 deaths per 100,000 births between 2018 and 2021, nearly double the national rate of 34.09 per 100,000 births. That jumps to 100.07 deaths for Black women in the state. Hospital closures in rural parts of the state have left many women without access to prenatal care. Last year, nearly 1 in 5 pregnant Alabama women didn't receive prenatal care until after five months of pregnancy, or otherwise received less than 50% of the appropriate number of the recommended visits throughout her pregnancy, according to The March of Dimes. That is in part because one in six women of childbearing age fall within the coverage gap, making too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford private insurance, according to Alabama Arise, an advocacy group for low-income families. Alabama is among 10 states nationwide that have not expanded Medicaid, which means many low-income women are only eligible for Medicaid once they become pregnant. A pregnant woman in Alabama with no dependents can qualify for Medicaid if she makes $21,996 or less, or up to $37,704 if she is part of a household of three. Medicaid was used to pay for 45% of all births in Alabama in 2023, according to the most recent report published by the Alabama Department of Public Health. More than half of all infant deaths were to mothers who used Medicaid. The Alabama bill would increase Medicaid spending statewide by about $1 million annually over the course of three years, with about two-thirds coming from the federal government. Another bill that advanced in March seeks to expand access to medical care for expectant mothers by allowing midwives to provide care outside of hospitals in freestanding birth centers. But recent amendments to the legislation prohibits midwifes from performing many standard medical screenings for newborns that are necessary to detect genetic disorders. The Alabama Midwives Alliance said that the legislation 'started as a good bill' in a video posted on Facebook in April, but added that the amendments 'take it in the wrong direction.' ___ Safiyah Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Associated Press
08-04-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Alabama lawmakers pass legislation that could give pregnant women more access to health care
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama legislators unanimously passed a bill on Tuesday that would expedite access to Medicaid for pregnant women, as more states across the South attempt to stem high maternal and infant mortality rates. The 'presumptive eligibility' legislation states that Medicaid will pay for a pregnant woman's outpatient medical care for up to 60 days while an application for the government-funded insurance program is being considered. The bill will now go to Republican Gov. Kay Ivey's desk for her signature. Many Republican legislators endorsed the bill as 'pro-life.' Democratic lawmakers said that it was essential for addressing Alabama's delivery health outcomes that lag behind the rest of the country. Other states have adopted a similar strategy for addressing some of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates nationwide. Legislators in Mississippi and Arkansas have passed laws that would offer similar coverage to expectant mothers. One study found Alabama had a maternal mortality rate of 64.63 deaths per 100,000 births between 2018 and 2021, nearly double the national rate of 34.09 per 100,000 births. That jumps to 100.07 deaths for Black women in the state. Hospital closures in rural parts of the state have left many women without access to prenatal care. Last year, nearly 1 in 5 pregnant Alabama women didn't receive prenatal care until after five months of pregnancy, or otherwise received less than 50% of the appropriate number of the recommended visits throughout her pregnancy, according to The March of Dimes. That is in part because one in six women of childbearing age fall within the coverage gap, making too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford private insurance, according to Alabama Arise, an advocacy group for low-income families. Alabama is among 10 states nationwide that have not expanded Medicaid, which means many low-income women are only eligible for Medicaid once they become pregnant. A pregnant woman in Alabama with no dependents can qualify for Medicaid if she makes $21,996 or less, or up to $37,704 if she is part of a household of three. Medicaid was used to pay for 45% of all births in Alabama in 2023, according to the most recent report published by the Alabama Department of Public Health. More than half of all infant deaths were to mothers who used Medicaid. The Alabama bill would increase Medicaid spending statewide by about $1 million annually over the course of three years, with about two-thirds coming from the federal government. Another bill that advanced in March seeks to expand access to medical care for expectant mothers by allowing midwives to provide care outside of hospitals in freestanding birth centers. But recent amendments to the legislation prohibits midwifes from performing many standard medical screenings for newborns that are necessary to detect genetic disorders. The Alabama Midwives Alliance said that the legislation 'started as a good bill' in a video posted on Facebook in April, but added that the amendments 'take it in the wrong direction.'
