It’s an Election Year, so things will be lively during the 2022 Legislative Session, Jan. 11-April 26, in Montgomery, AL., according to political observers. What’s more, the Alabama legislature is arguably the most powerful political force in the state because the state GOP holds a supermajority in both houses of the legislature, which give legislators the ability to over-ride a gubernatorial veto. 

To learn about the most progressive – and worrisome — bills that activists and lobbyists are watching, join MAD?Make A Difference, Tuesday, Jan. 11 for a special panel discussion, from noon to 1 p.m. Central, via Zoom, held in collaboration with H.I.V.E. Alabama.

You must register in advance for this meeting. Click here to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvc-CqqD4sEtVJzVCY89pdyAlvNG1kWHy3

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the Zoom details for joining the meeting. This email is generated automatically, but Zoom can experience delays. Don’t wait until the last-minute to register. 

Here is your chance to hear from at these 3 amazing panelists and ask questions:

Presdelane (Pres) Harris, Alabama Arise Organizing Director: Pres has worked for Arise since 1994 and has a B.S. in justice and public safety from Auburn University at Montgomery and an M.S. in management from Troy University. She has lived in Montgomery her entire life and enjoys spending time with family and friends, working in her church, superhero movies, ocean cruises and mountain cabins in the wintertime. Alabama Arise is a statewide, member-led organization advancing public policies to improve the lives of Alabamians who are marginalized by poverty. Membership includes faith-based, community, nonprofit and civic groups, grassroots leaders and individuals from across Alabama. Alabama Arise has released its policy roadmap for 2022 and set its Lobby Day as Feb. 15. For more information, follow Alabama Arise on Facebook.

Rhonda Pendleton, Alabama State Legislative Lead, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America: A Pennsylvania native, but long-time Alabama resident, Rhonda first became involved with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense with the start-up of the Huntsville group in 2018. After volunteering with various Moms efforts locally and state-wide, she took on the role of volunteer state legislative lead in early 2021, coordinating the group’s first virtual advocacy day in March. Moms works with Everytown for Gun Safety to promote evidence-based solutions to end gun violence. For more information about Moms in Alabama, follow them on Facebook.

Dana Sweeney, Statewide Organizer for Alabama Appleseed Center for Law & Justice: Dana travels all across the state sharing Appleseed’s research, building relationships, and connecting people with opportunities to take action as the group fights for a better future. Dana has lived in Alabama for his entire adult life and dreams of making this the Sweet Home that we all deserve. Alabama Appleseed is member of the national Appleseed Network, which includes 18 Appleseed Centers across the U.S. and in Mexico City. Appleseed was founded in 1994 with the mission to develop and help sustain a network of advocacy centers that address local issues and develop and promote practical, systemic solutions. To learn more about AL Appleseed, follow it on Facebook.