Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama

01/29/2025

Leaders from city and county government, education, philanthropy, social services, and community are launching a new partnership - The Birmingham-Jefferson County Justice Governance Partnership - to decrease violence and increase health and opportunity in Jefferson County. PARCA is serving as the partnership's Local Justice Intermediary, a role that includes coordinating data collection across agencies and collaborating to provide research and analysis that supports the work of the Partnership. Read more about the BJC-JGP here:

Leaders from city and county government, education, philanthropy, social services, and community are launching a new partnership to decrease violence Read the full release.  

01/28/2025

For most of the past thirty years, Alabama has consistently ranked last in the Southeast and last in the U.S. in terms of per capita tax collections. In recent years, Alabama has traded that last-place spot back and forth with Tennessee, thanks to tax-cutting measures in that state. This year, according to the Census survey, Tennessee returned to the bottom spot, collecting $4 less per capita than Alabama. Tennessee’s income tax on dividends continues to decrease as the state phases it out. Read more about Alabama taxes and how revenue and expenditures of state and local governments compare across the 50 states in PARCA's report How Alabama Taxes Compare, 2024 Edition:

Each year, PARCA uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of State and Local Finances to compare Alabama’s Read the full release.  

01/15/2025

Mental health is more than a personal challenge—it’s a community concern with profound impacts on education, workforce productivity, and Alabama’s future.

The 2025 PARCA Annual Forum will convene policymakers, business leaders, nonprofit executives, educators, and mental health professionals to address the pressing mental health challenges facing children in school and adults in the workforce.

Stay tuned for details on how to register for the event!

01/13/2025

Deaths exceeded births in Alabama again last year - a trend that has continued since 2020. The state's population still increased by more than 40,000 due to domestic and international migration. Read more here on our analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau estimates:

Alabama’s population increased by more than 40,000, between July 2023 and July 2024, reaching a total of 5,157,699, according to Read the full release.  

12/17/2024

PARCA's latest report - The Government Closest to the People? - explores Alabama's Constitution as it relates to the balance of power between state and local officials, and the struggles it creates. This report is part of a series examining the state Constitution, sponsored in part by Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform - ACCR
Read more: https://parcalabama.org/the-government-closest-to-the-people/

12/06/2024

PARCA's latest research asks if investor tax credits are an efficient way for Alabama to enhance its technology sector.

Economic development—using public funds to incentivize private economic investments—is a core government function practiced by both parties and at all Read the full release.  

11/20/2024

The General Fund had strong results in FY 2024, with its 7% increase
over the prior year, while the Education Trust Fund advanced just 2% after being essentially flat in 2023. For both funds, the years of exceptional growth should be over, with moderate annual increases on the horizon. While the economy remains strong, boding well for sustaining growth, some difficult decisions may have to be made in the future. Read PARCA's full report here: https://parcalabama.org/a-final-upside-surprise-signs-of-slower-growth-ahead-alabama-tax-collections-2024/?blm_aid=268990465

10/31/2024

When you go to the polls next Tuesday, you will be voting on one proposed statewide amendment. PARCA's analysis provides a detailed background of the amendment and what your vote will mean. Read more here:

When Alabamians vote on November 5, they will be asked to vote on one statewide amendment. “Proposing an amendment to Read the full release.  

10/29/2024

We are one week away from the Nov. 5 election. Read more on how Alabama democracy compares in PARCA's report, supported in part by Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform (ACCR). Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform - ACChttps://parcalabama.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/How-Alabama-Democracy-Compares.pdf

10/02/2024

🎟️ Don't Miss Out: Alabama Nonprofit Film Festival Tickets Now Available! 🎥

Time is running out to secure your spot at the most inspiring event of the year! Join us on October 3, 2024, at the BJCC in Birmingham for an unforgettable showcase of Alabama's nonprofits.

🌟 Why attend?
- Watch 10 powerful short films
- Network with community leaders and changemakers
- Support local nonprofits making a difference

👉 Get your tickets now: alabamanonprofits.org/events/film-festival-2024

❤️ A huge thank you to our amazing sponsors:
- Fidelity Charitable Catalyst Fund (title sponsor)
- Alabama Microenterprise Network
- Alabama Possible
- Burr & Forman
- DiPiazza LaRocca Heeter & Co., LLC (DLHC)
- Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama

Your support makes this celebration of impact possible!

Limited seats available - grab yours today and be part of the change!

09/26/2024

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and supported our 2024 PARCA Speaker Series event featuring Larry Sabato! We had a great night of discussion and engaging with peers. We look forward to seeing you next year!

08/30/2024

Read PARCA’s analysis of the 2024 ACAP results to explore the jump in 3rd-grade English Language Arts proficiency rates.

Alabama student performance in English Language Arts improved significantly in 2024, with the largest spike coming in third grade as Read the full release.

08/28/2024

Congratulations to PARCA Board Member Ashley Kaplan for being selected for the Leadership Birmingham Class of 2024-2025! Read the full article here: https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2024/08/27/meet-the-leadership-birmingham-class-of-2024-2025.html

08/28/2024

PARCA is thankful to be included in the coalition of players working to tackle problems in the City of Birmingham. We have always supported the concept of collaboration between governments, and are pleased that City of Birmingham Mayor's Office recognizes the power and benefits of good data.

It's the power to convene players across a region, as Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has demonstrated. He's put together an effective coalition to tackle economic and workforce development.

08/26/2024

Only a handful of VIP tickets remain for the PARCA Speaker Series with Larry Sabato. Get yours today!! https://rmtc.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/ #/events/a0SVH000001yFwT2AU

08/20/2024

Our 2024 PARCA Speaker Series event with Larry Sabato is quickly approaching! Make sure to get your tickets here: https://rmtc.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/ #/events/a0SVH000001yFwT2AU

1600 3rd Ave. South Birmingham, Alabama 35233 Larry Sabato is a New York Times best-selling author, Emmy Award winner and Read the full release.  

08/02/2024

PARCA had the opportunity to attend the Governmental Research Association's annual conference in Asheville, North Carolina last week. Always a valuable time of learning and sharing ideas with peers.