Entries by Carla Crowder

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The State Legislature Failed to Increase Access to Justice for Low-Income Alabamians

by Phillip Ensler, Policy Counsel This past legislative session, Alabama Appleseed worked to improve on access to justice for low-income individuals in our state by advocating for two important pieces of legislation. While some legislators in both the House and Senate supported these bills, the full state legislature was not given the opportunity to vote on […]

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Predatory Lending and the Alabama Legislature

by Dana Sweeney, Organizer There are more payday lenders and title loan stores in Alabama than hospitals, high schools, movie theaters, and county courthouses combined. Payday lending by itself is a massive industry that harms hundreds of thousands of Alabama borrowers and their families each year.   Each year, the payday lending industry leeches more […]

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Victory for Tenants’ Rights

By Phillip Ensler, Policy Counsel Low-income tenants throughout Alabama will enjoy greater access to justice due to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeal’s ruling last week in Morrow v. Pake. In a decision that will affect thousands of tenants, the court reversed the Tuscaloosa Circuit Court, and ruled that tenants who are evicted have a right under […]

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2018 Alabama Regular Session – Post-Session Report

The 2018 Alabama Regular Session began on January 9 and concluded on March 29. Below is a summary of key human rights legislation considered during the 2018 session.   Fair Schools, Safe Communities Campaign Legislation Our communities are safer and our schools fairer when laws and policies are grounded in evidence. It’s time for Alabama’s […]

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Alabama Appleseed Commends Senate Vote to Ban the Box on State Employment Applications

Alabama Appleseed today applauded the Alabama Senate’s vote to “ban the box” (SB198) on state employment applications. Banning the box would lead to greater opportunities for people with a criminal history as they re-enter their communities and the workforce. “Banning the box better ensures that Alabamians seeking state employment are judged on their merit, not […]

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Alabama Appleseed Applauds Vote to End Civil Asset Forfeiture

Today the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance SB 213 (Senator Orr), which would end civil asset forfeiture in Alabama. “Civil asset forfeiture allows the government to take and keep your cash, your car, or your house – even if you are never charged with a crime,” said Frank Knaack, executive director of Alabama […]