JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman wants to help Missourians offset the rising cost of inflation by reducing the price of their groceries. She is the sponsor of HB 1992, which would eliminate Missouri’s sales tax on most food sales.
Coleman noted that Missouri is one of only 13 states to impose a sales tax on food and groceries. She said by eliminating the state’s tax on food, Missourians would save approximately $144 million each year on their grocery purchases. Coleman said the cut is meant to help families combat rising inflation that is forcing Missourians pay more for everything from gas to groceries.
“Inflation is out of control and costs are skyrocketing to the point that Missourians are losing the equivalent of two paychecks a year,” said Coleman, R-Arnold. “Our tax policy should not be designed to hurt the poorest Missourians, and yet the sales tax on food does exactly that. It’s time to provide Missouri families with tax relief that will help them afford the necessities.”
Coleman noted that her bill was recently modified by the House Ways and Means Committee in a way that undermines the intent of the bill. She said an amendment approved by the committee would have the opposite effect and in fact result in a tax increase. She is currently working diligently to have the change removed from her bill so it can be returned to its original state.
“I have asked our House Rules Committee to return the bill to Ways and Means so the committee can remove the problematic amendment and we can ensure the tax cut on food goes forward as it was intended,” said Coleman. “My hope is that my colleagues will join me in doing what is right for the hard-working people of Missouri who are struggling to make ends meet during these difficult times. They deserve tax relief that will make it more affordable to feed their families.”