Friday Five: March 22, 2024
The Alabama Legislature is in session, and Peritus PR is back with our fan-favorite #FridayFive legislative highlights series.
Every Friday, we’ll delve into the legislative “specials” of the week to help you digest the issues legislators have been chewing on at the Alabama State House. Grab your fork and knife, and dig into some of the bills that were introduced, debated, passed, failed or signed this week.
If you’re hungry for more, get the full course with our 2024 Alabama Legislative Guide.
THIS WEEK’S FRIDAY FIVE
-
Gov. Ivey signed SB 129 into law, banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in public institutions. The legislation prohibits public entities from promoting or requiring participation in DEI programs, with bill proponents arguing that such programs deepen divisions and promote specific political viewpoints. Critics view the move as regressive, undermining progress towards inclusivity, while supporters assert it reflects the majority viewpoint in Alabama, prioritizing fiscal responsibility and traditional values. The bill has been unpopular among Alabama college students, with University of Alabama system leadership issuing a statement emphasizing its continued commitment to providing open and equal access to resources and opportunities. Alabama’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) leadership also expressed concerns about the bill, particularly how it affects marginalized students and undermines progress toward inclusivity. Despite amendments aimed at safeguarding certain programs, the legislation still raises concerns, especially regarding LGBTQ+ biases.
Read more: Alabama governor signs bill barring diversity, equity and inclusion programs (AP News)
-
Gov. Ivey and Alabama lawmakers introduced the "Working for Alabama" package, aimed at tackling the state's low workforce participation rates. Despite Alabama's low unemployment rate, its workforce participation rate has consistently lagged behind the national average, attributed to factors like an older population, lack of affordable childcare, transportation issues and insufficient workforce training. The package includes several bills targeting economic development, workforce oversight, career and technical education, childcare tax credits, housing initiatives, and innovation districts, with estimated impacts on the Education Trust Fund. Leaders from both parties expressed optimism about the package's potential to boost workforce participation and economic growth, while emphasizing the need for careful consideration of its fiscal implications and benefits for future generations.
Read more: ‘Working for Alabama’ bills aim to improve state’s workforce participation rate (Alabama Reflector)
-
Gov. Ivey signed into law a bill that imposes criminal penalties, including potential felony charges, for those involved in assisting with absentee ballots. The legislation aims to safeguard against “ballot harvesting” a scenario where a third party, such as volunteers or campaign workers, collect completed ballots and deliver them to polling places. Gov. Ivey emphasized the state's commitment to free and fair elections, while voting advocacy groups like the League of Women Voters of Alabama criticized the bill, arguing it suppresses voter access and disproportionately affects voters with disabilities.
Read more: Alabama Gov. Key Ivey signs absentee ballot bill amid criticism from voting rights groups (Montgomery Advertiser)
-
Alabama legislators advanced HB 130, a bill that prohibits discussions on gender identity and sexual orientation in K-12 schools, adding a provision that would ban Pride flags from being displayed in educational settings. Critics argue that such measures could harm LGBTQ youth and limit educational freedom. Despite objections, the bill moved forward for consideration in the House chamber, sparking debates over the balance between promoting inclusivity and restricting certain discussions in schools.
Read more: Alabama legislators add ban on Pride flags in schools to ‘Don’t Say Gay’ expansion (AL.com)
-
The House unanimously passed HB 236, a bill that would exempt certain maternal, baby and menstrual hygiene products (like diapers and formula) from state sales taxes. Under the legislation, local governments can opt out of their own sales taxes on these products. Despite the projected decrease in state education budget revenues upon passage, supporters emphasize the bill's potential to aid families in need, aligning with previous initiatives to provide free feminine hygiene products in schools.
Read more: Alabama House votes to remove sales taxes from some baby and feminine hygiene products (Alabama Reflector)
OUR PUBLISHED BY PERITUS TAKEAWAY
Like curating your perfect plate at Nana’s Thanksgiving, we all have the right to saddle up to the table with our idea of what’s right for Alabama. With this legislative menu in hand, it’s time to decide what is going to hit the spot for our communities, our organizations and our lives.
Our team has brewed the perfect pairing with our #ALPolitics Guide, helping you identify and contact the representatives serving as head chefs in your communities’ kitchens, explore media resources to keep you informed throughout the session and bridge the gap between policymakers and your community’s table.
Whet your appetite for a better Alabama — we will see ya here next Friday!
At Peritus Public Relations, we know you want to make an impact. To do that you need confidence and clarity to take action. Tell us what’s keeping you up at night and stop letting fear of a misstep get in the way of driving your mission forward. We believe you deserve to get it right. For over a decade, organizations like yours have trusted us to navigate the best path forward.
Peritus specializes in issue advocacy, stakeholder engagement, government affairs and strategic consulting. Let’s connect if you want to learn more about how state policy affects your mission and bottom line.
Check out the 2024 Peritus PR Alabama Legislative Guide here.