PARCA Research Wins National Awards
New research led by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) and MDRC indicates that each additional $100 in cumulative court fees for criminal cases is associated with an additional 34 jail detentions per 100,000 people at the county level. This small but significant increase suggests that fee increases could increase detention rather than deter it. […]
2026 PARCA Annual Forum Review
Deaths from drug overdose dropped sharply in 2024 and 2025, due in part to bold policy decisions, the deployment of overdose reversal treatments, and the strategic use of data to target addiction prevention and recovery outreach. The story of how that came about was the focus of PARCA’s 2026 Annual Forum – From Crisis to […]
2025 PARCA Annual Forum Review
PARCA held its 2025 PARCA Annual Forum – State of Mind: Navigating Alabama’s Mental Health Dilemma on March 7, 2025 at The Harbert Center. Mental health is a statewide concern that profoundly impacts education, workforce productivity, and Alabama’s future. This year’s forum explored state and local policy solutions, innovative programs, and practical strategies to strengthen […]
PARCA Annual Forum 2025 – State of Mind: Navigating Alabama’s Mental Health Dilemma
Join us for the 2025 PARCA Annual Forum! March 7, 2025 at The Harbert Center in Birmingham – 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 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 […]
PARCA Speaker Series featuring Larry Sabato
PARCA will be hosting our fifth annual Speaker Series event on the evening of Thursday, September 12th at Red Mountain Theatre Arts Campus. Join us for an unforgettable evening of cocktails and conversation with New York Times Best-Selling author, Emmy award winner, and respected political analyst – Larry Sabato. He directs Sabato’s Crystal Ball website, a leader […]
Revisiting PARCA’s Annual Forum
Housing inventory continues to fall, and prices continue to rise. Pressures on the housing market ripple across the economy but may have the most significant impact on middle-income workers – those earning between 80% and 120% of the median income. As housing prices increase, middle-income workers often struggle to live where they work. The shortage […]
A Statement from PARCA
PARCA—the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama— works to inform and improve state and local government in Alabama through independent, objective, nonpartisan research. We pursue this work to improve the lives of all Alabamians. This is the legacy given to us by our founder, Governor Albert Brewer. Independent, objective, nonpartisan research requires speaking the truth […]
PARCA Roundtable Announces Class of 2020
The PARCA Roundtable Class of 2020 was announced in late December. The PARCA Roundtable is a member-based organization of young, civic and business leaders interested in broadening their understanding of state and local government in conjunction with the work of the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama. The group meets quarterly to discuss a variety […]
An Evening with The Capitol Steps
Join us for an uproarious night of musical political satire with The Capitol Steps, benefiting the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 AT 7:30 P.M. AT BIRMINGHAM’S HISTORIC LYRIC THEATRE Reserve your seats here! At PARCA, working to inform and improve government in Alabama is serious work—and we’ve been doing it for […]
PARCA Gubernatorial Candidate Forum Brings Leaders Together to Discuss Alabama Priorities
This past Wednesday, May 16th, PARCA held a 2018 Gubernatorial Candidate Forum at Woodrow Hall in Birmingham. The event was hosted by the PARCA Roundtable, PARCA’s young professionals’ group of 28 to 45-year-old civic and business leaders. It was a great opportunity for Democrat and Republican candidates to come together and express ideas in a […]