Public Affairs Research Council

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Study shows slight decrease in statewide ACT scores

The Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama recently published a study showing that Alabama public high school students’ ACT scores went down slightly in 2018, with a 19.1 average score on a 36-point scale. This decrease is minimal. In 2017, Alabama students average a 19.2 score on a 36-point scale. According to the study, Alabama … Continued

Gabby Dance

April 17, 2019

High death rate, low immigration levels leave Alabama with one of nation’s lowest growth rates

New numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that Alabama has one of the nation’s lowest growth rates. “As Alabama approaches its 200th birthday, the state is still adding population but at a slower rate than most of its Southeastern neighbors,” analysts wrote in a Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama analysis of the Census … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 23, 2019

As lawmakers consider new gas tax, Alabama remains last in per capita state, local tax collection

As state lawmakers prepare to consider a gas tax increase during the next legislative session, a new report from the Public Affairs Research Council shows Alabama’s state and local governments collect less in taxes per capita than any other state in the country. Alabama has been behind in tax collection since the early 1990s, according … Continued

Chip Brownlee

December 12, 2018

Alabama voters’ priorities: Education, healthcare and government ethics

A new report shows there is broad agreement among Alabama voters about what issues are important to them as the state nears a statewide election in November. The report, published by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, is the result of a survey the group conducted, polling Alabama voters to determine their thoughts about … Continued

Chip Brownlee

June 18, 2018

Annual reminder: Alabama is last in state, local tax collection

Here’s an annual reminder for you as you decompress from filing your tax returns: Alabama’s state and local governments are collecting less in state and local taxes than any other state in the United States. Good right? Maybe. Maybe not. As Tax Day — and an extended deadline caused by web portal outages — pass, … Continued

Chip Brownlee

April 19, 2018

Alabama’s growth slowed down by high death rate, low international migration

The rate of population growth in Alabama last year increased slightly, but the state is being held back in terms of growth by one of the nation’s highest death rates and one of the lowest rates of migration from other countries. A new analysis from the Alabama Public Affairs Research Council shows that Alabama’s growth … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 16, 2018