By Robyn Hyden of Alabama Arise Robyn Hyden of Alabama Arise spotlights Medicaid expansion as a pro-work policy that supports not only healthier families and communities but expanded workforce participation and economic gains. People need to be healthy to work, and consistent access to health insurance is vital to staying healthy. But too many people who are sick and suffering … Read More
Qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit? Advice: File Early
By Brad Wong and Keith Griffith | Originally published on February 1, 2019 by Equal Voice News The IRS is accepting filings for the Earned Income Tax Credit, a refund for low-income workers and successful U.S. anti-poverty program. Filing sooner is better, an analyst says. Families and individuals planning to file for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit – one … Read More
Better Policy Choices on Taxes, Transit Can Improve Alabamians’ Health – Alabama Arise
By Chris Sanders of Alabama Arise | Originally published on February 21, 2019A Alabama Arise highlights a new report showing how Medicaid expansion, state support for public transportation, and progressive taxation can boost health among low-income households and communities of color. Read the post for takeaways for Alabama, and view the full report via the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities for implications for any state. Deeper and smarter investments in education, housing, infrastructure and other vital services can eliminate barriers to good health for low-income … Read More
Equal Voice Action Continues Advocacy Push to Protect Fair Lending Regulations
By Equal Voice Action On February 6, 2019, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released its proposal to roll back key protections for individuals and families against predatory lending and payday loan debt traps. Read on for more information, and stay tuned for the opportunity to speak out against this policy change that will hurt poor and low-income families. All families should … Read More
Get Ready for 2020: EVA Organizational Member VoteRiders Offers Free Voter ID Assistance and Resources
By Equal Voice Action As we look to Election 2020, it’s never too early to ensure that we can share our voice at the ballot box, and to help our families, allies, and communities share theirs too. As we highlighted ahead of the November 2018 election, voters in 23 states — nearly half the country — faced additional restrictions … Read More
Organizing in Rural America: George Goehl Discusses Poverty, Race, and Pathways for Seeding Progressive Change
“First, our orientation toward rural communities should be humanitarian…people are suffering and we care about that. And then second, we have to be there and inform meaning-making. It’s actually bigger than elections but where there’s a whole battle for meaning-making and hearts and minds long term. I think we’ve both got room to go up and I also think we’ve … Read More
New Hardship Driver’s License Rule Will Allow Thousands of Alabamians to Meet Basic Needs – Alabama Arise
By Dev Wakeley of Alabama Arise | Originally published by Alabama Arise on January 16, 2019 Alabama Arise highlights a new opportunity for Alabamians to apply for hardship driver’s licenses following an important policy change shaped by Arise and its allies in support of low-income families. A new rule could make it easier for many Alabamians to meet their basic needs. … Read More
Launching a Pilot Project, Equal Voice Action Supports Organizational Member Proyecto Vida Digna in Building Collective Power in the Rio Grande Valley
By Equal Voice Action “After 40 years of working in our community, I learned so much today. All of us will be able to use what we learned today to meet the many challenges that our community faces.” Working in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, Proyecto Vida Digna is an organizational member of Equal Voice Action whose goal … Read More
Equal Voice Action Defends National Payday Loan Regulations on Capitol Hill
By Equal Voice Action Continuing our push to protect poor families from predatory lending, Equal Voice Action joined an Illinois-based delegation in late November to meet with legislators on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. and advocate for the continued defense of the Payday Loans Rule. Drawing on data-driven analysis as well as extensive public comment, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau … Read More
Free Tool: KFF Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator for 2019 ACA Plans
Are you or a family member looking to renew or enroll in a health insurance plan through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces for 2019? The Kaiser Family Foundation has updated its Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator for 2019. Read KFF’s notice below about this useful tool, available in English and Spanish, and use the embedded calculator below to get started. KFF’s … Read More