Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama

09/14/2026

Thank you to this year’s PARCA Speaker Series sponsors for your continued support — it’s what allows us to bring these conversations to our community each year. Haven’t gotten your tickets yet? Follow the link in our bio to purchase!

09/10/2026

Did you know? 👀 As Alabama’s tax revenue slows, some lawmakers are eyeing court costs, fines, and fees to help make up the difference — but PARCA’s research shows that’s not as simple (or effective) as it sounds. Lower fine and fee amounts have actually been shown to collect more revenue than steeper ones, while higher costs tend to pile up debt instead.

Want the full breakdown — including how Alabama’s courts brought in and spent nearly $486 million last year? 📊 Click the link in our bio to read the full piece.

Follow PARCA for more research-backed insights on Alabama’s government, courts, and public policy. 🏛️

09/01/2026

Meet our speaker: Amy Walter 🎙️

As Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of the Cook Political Report, Amy brings 25+ years of trusted political analysis — seen on PBS NewsHour, NBC’s Meet the Press, and CNN. Named one of Washington’s Most Powerful Women three separate times, she knows how to read the room and lead the conversation.

Don’t miss her at the PARCA Speaker Series — save your spot at the link in our bio. Be sure to follow along for more updates!

08/27/2026

Seats are filling up 🎟️ Join Amy Walter, political analyst and Editor-in-Chief of The Cook Political Report, at Red Mountain Theatre Arts Campus for a breakdown of the post-midterm political landscape. Grab your ticket today and follow our page for more updates! :
https://tinyurl.com/dujv2878

08/20/2026

SNAP is changing in Alabama — and the price of getting it wrong just went up. 📊

740,300 Alabamians rely on SNAP. Starting in 2027, the state will start footing more of the bill — and by 2028, Alabama’s own accuracy rate determines whether that costs $0 or $174 million.

We broke down what’s actually changing (and cleared up the errors-vs-fraud confusion) in our latest post 👉 link in bio.

If you want the numbers behind Alabama policy, that’s what we do. Follow PARCA so you don’t miss the next one!

08/18/2026

Just 5% of registered Alabama voters turned out for the latest special congressional primary.
But what does that number tell us about voter participation in Alabama? Swipe through for a quick look at the numbers, and read PARCA’s full analysis at the link in our bio.

08/13/2026

A snapshot of some of the work PARCA has been digging into lately! 📊

Interested in learning more? Check out the link in our bio to explore our latest research and insights on Alabama.🔗

08/10/2026

Tickets are officially LIVE! 🎟️

Join us for the PARCA Speaker Series on September 24, 2026, from 5:30–9:30 PM at the Red Mountain Theatre Arts Campus.

We’re looking forward to an evening of thoughtful conversation, connection, and support for the work of the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama.

Ready to join us? Tickets are available now through the link in our bio.

We’ll see you there!

08/03/2026

This past week, PARCA joined 19 of Alabama’s 24 colleges and universities at Auburn University for the inaugural PARCA Alignment Institute, focused on how we prepare future teachers to teach reading.

We’re grateful to be part of this work with the Alabama State Department of Education and educators from across the state.

Better prepared teachers. Stronger outcomes for Alabama students.

04/10/2026

Did you miss this year's PARCA Annual Forum? The March 6 event explored Alabama's response to the opioid crisis and featured leaders who helped bring about the decline, including policymakers from the Legislature, public health, and mental health agencies, as well as frontline doctors, first responders, and peer recovery specialists, who are working to combat addiction. Check out the recap and watch the session recordings in the latest post below:

Deaths from drug overdose dropped sharply in 2024 and 2025, due in part to bold policy decisions, the deployment of Read the full release.