Republicans Do What Biden Can’t
Biden should be ashamed of himself.
Lawmakers in Alabama are currently considering the removal or gradual phasing out of the state’s 4% sales tax on food, as a movement gains momentum. Republicans are doing this to combat high prices Americans have to deal with thanks to President Biden and the Democrats.
According to Fox, Groceries are taxed at the same rate as other purchases in Alabama, which makes it one of only three states with this policy.
Proposals to end the sales tax on all or some groceries are being introduced by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle in the Alabama Legislature, indicating a competition between the proposals.
Since being proposed in Montgomery, the idea has gained traction during this legislative session.
Alabama Arise, a lobbying group that represents low-income families, claims that the average Alabama family spends $600 per year on the state grocery tax. Removing this tax would provide long-term benefits to families who are struggling to make ends meet.
During a press conference and rally outside the Alabama Statehouse on Tuesday, Robyn Hyden, the executive director of Alabama Arise, stated that the 4% sales tax on groceries adds to the already expensive cost of food, which is a burden for families who are already struggling. Hyden emphasized that families are facing hardship due to this tax.
Currently, only three states – Alabama, Mississippi, and South Dakota – still apply the full state sales tax rate on groceries.
Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota had encouraged lawmakers to eliminate the sales tax on groceries in the state, but instead, lawmakers approved a reduction in the general sales tax rate.
Previous proposals to eliminate the sales tax on groceries in Alabama were partially hindered due to the potential negative impact on education funding. According to estimates from the Legislative Services Agency, the tax on groceries generates over $600 million in revenue each year for schools in the state.
