JEFFERSON CITY – Missourians worried about the rising cost of inflation would get some relief in the form of lower prices at the grocery store under legislation sponsored by state Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman. Coleman’s HB 1992, which would eliminate Missouri’s sales tax on most food sales, received the approval of the House Ways and Means Committee this week and will soon be on its way to the House floor for discussion.
Coleman’s bill had previously been amended by the committee in a way that undermined Coleman’s intent to provide tax relief. However, the chairs of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Rules – Administrative Oversight Committee worked with Coleman to reconsider the bill and correct the mistake. HB 1992 now achieves its original purpose of eliminating the state’s sales tax on food, which would save Missourians approximately $144 million each year on their grocery purchases.
“I want to thank Chairman Mike McGirl and Chairman J. Eggleston for working with me to fix this important legislation and return it to its original intent. I know Missouri families all around the state who are struggling to make ends meet appreciate their commitment to providing much-needed tax relief,” said Coleman, R-Arnold.
She added, “It’s time to put an end to this regressive tax that does the most harm to the poorest Missourians. I urge all of my colleagues in the legislature to work with me to provide Missouri families with substantive tax relief that will help them to make ends meet during these extremely difficult times.”