Multiple governors and legislators in states throughout the country are aiming to reduce or eliminate their state's sales tax on groceries, according to a recent article in Pew Charitable Trusts.
According to the article, as state legislative sessions begin soon, "governors and legislators in red and blue states are lining up to take another swipe at grocery sales taxes."
Last spring, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, who in 2019 vetoed a bill to cut the state grocery tax, signed a bill that would phase out the 6.5% tax in stages. Kelly, a Democrat, is pushing to completely remove the state grocery tax by April 1 and scrap the tax on children's diapers and feminine hygiene products as well. Some Republican legislators say they support the speed-up, according to Pew.
State Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Republican who chairs the Kansas Senate tax committee and has been working on removing the grocery tax since 2012, would like to see the tax removed for all foods, including in restaurants, and to take a close look at other state taxes, according to Pew.
South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has made permanently ending the grocery tax a legislative priority for the year. Noem's proposal would eliminate the state sales tax on groceries but wouldn't eliminate local sales taxes on groceries, according to the Argus Leader.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, a Democrat, used his inaugural address in December to call for ending regressive taxes, including the grocery tax, according to Pew.
Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, a Republican, suggested in January he would be open to a cut in the state's 7% grocery tax, according to the publication.
Alabama is one of just a few states that taxes groceries at the full state sales tax rate. Alabama has the fifth-highest state and local combined average sales tax rate, according to the Tax Foundation. Alabama's state sales tax rate is 4%.
In recent interviews with 1819 News, multiple lawmakers have mentioned that the grocery tax is a tax ripe to be reduced or eliminated in Alabama.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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