Dear MPA Members,
We have several updates for you from last night’s meeting, including a couple that are time sensitive:
1. Postcard Actions
With respect to Medicaid expansion, Alabama Arise believes that Gov. Ivey’s office is really taking notice of the number of letters and calls they are getting, because they were able to provide an exact number. If you haven’t already, please write (Office of the Governor, State Capitol, 600 Dexter Ave, Montgomery 36130) or call (334-242-7100) Gov. Ivey’s office and express your support for Medicaid expansion in Alabama. We also have an action on retroactive sentencing application, and today, the bills being considered by the legislature this session that are supported by Gov. Ivey were released (https://www.al.com/news/2020/02/gov-kay-ivey-endorses-criminal-justice-reforms.html). If you write our legislators on this issue, please refer to HB 329, sponsored by Jim Hill. Click here for details: 2020 February Postcard Action
2. Coosa River Bridge project
Last month, we heard about and received information on the Coosa River bridge project. The public comment will stay open until the Shelby County Commissioners Court schedules a vote, so if you haven’t had time to research and make your voice heard, please do so!
3. Sunday March 1 is the Selma JubileeSchedule of events can be found here: https://www.selma50.com/complete-schedule). If you are interested in attending and carpooling or caravan-ing, please email us.
4. The Poor People’s Campaign is having an event Monday, March 2 starting at 5PM.
5. Tuesday March 3 is Super Tuesday! Sample ballots can be found here (https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/2020-primary-election-sample-ballots) and we encourage you all to read the proposed amendment closely – it doesn’t look like it at first glance, but the proposal here is to remove our ability to elect the State Board of Education and change it to a board appointed by the governor. We encourage you to vote no on this amendment, spread the word to your networks.
6. March meeting update
We are canceling our March 26 meeting, because one week later, on April 2 at 4PM, Montevallo’s lynching marker will be unveiled.
Please try to attend this ceremony to show your support, and we will send out updates as it gets closer to time.
Thanks for all you do to make our community a better place!
—
MPA Steering Committee
Andrea Eckelman
Cheryl Patton
Jen Rickel
Amy Feger
Scott Turner
