POLITICS + GOVERNMENT

Bill introduced to remove state-imposed food sales tax

Feb 14, 2023, 2:00 PM

a sign opposing utah food tax is pictured...

“More Bread for Utahns!” members rally to repeal Utah’s grocery sales tax at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (Laura Seitz/Deseret News)

(Laura Seitz/Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY — A bill has been introduced to do away with sales tax on food, but the road forward for the bill might be winding.

What exactly would the bill do?

The bill, H.B. 101, would remove the taxes on food that are imposed by the state. That said, city and county taxes would remain as they are. 

Rep. Judy Weeks-Rohner, R-West Valley, joined KSL at Night to discuss the bill, which she is sponsoring.

Rohner said the state-imposed taxes make up just 1.75%, which she called a “small amount” compared to the total state budget.

The bill would not touch the city and county-imposed food taxes.

“We have no intention of touching that at all. We understand how important those dollars are to maintaining the city’s infrastructure,” Rohner said.

But the bill is important to pass, Rohner said, especially to aid those in need.

Food banks are overwhelmed, inflation continues to be an issue and people are having to go to extra lengths to make ends meet for food costs, Rohner said.

“It needs to be done. It needs to be done this year.”

Removing food sales tax might not be straightforward

A similar bill, H.B. 172 from Rep. Rosemary Lesser, D-Ogden, has also been introduced.

A key difference in Lesser’s bill though is that candy would still have state-imposed food sales tax on it.

But Rohner doesn’t have an issue with the similar natures of the two bills.

“We don’t care whose bill gets, you know, the name on it. That’s not that’s not important. What we need to do is make sure that we have the removal of the food tax,” Rohner said.

As another bump in the road for the bill, as reported by Deseret News, there’s talk from Republican leaders about removing food tax on the condition that the earmark on income tax for education is removed.

The state constitution currently requires that a large amount of Utah income tax go toward public education.

Rohner said she hasn’t been a part of any discussions about pairing the two changes, but said that if done right, it could be a success.

“If we do do this and we do it properly, the removal of the food tax could be handled. They would be able to still fund education the way it should be,” Rohner said, adding “We would be able to help, especially the working class citizens in the state.”

Listen to the full KSL at Night Segment:

 

Eye on the Hill:

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Politics + Government

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Sunday that American aid to Ukraine will keep flowing ...

KEVIN FREKING and COLLEEN LONG Associated Press

Biden says there’s ‘not much time’ to keep aid flowing to Ukraine and Congress must ‘stop the games’

President Joe Biden says American aid to Ukraine will keep flowing for now as he tries to reassure allies of continued U.S. financial support for the war effort.

11 hours ago

...

BY LISA MASCARO, KEVIN FREKING AND STEPHEN GROVES

Threat of government shutdown ends as Congress passes a temporary funding plan and sends it to Biden

WASHINGTON (AP) — The threat of a federal government shutdown ended late Saturday, hours before a midnight deadline, as Congress approved a temporary funding bill to keep agencies open and sent the measure to President Joe Biden to sign. The rushed package drops aid to Ukraine, a White House priority opposed by a growing number of GOP […]

1 day ago

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. talks to reporter following a closed door meeting wit...

LISA MASCARO, KEVIN FREKING AND STEPHEN GROVES

On the brink of a federal shutdown, the House passes a 45-day funding plan and sends it to Senate

WASHINGTON (AP) — On the brink of a federal government shutdown, the House on Saturday swiftly approved a 45-day funding bill to keep federal agencies open as Speaker Kevin McCarthy dropped demands for steep spending cuts and relied on Democratic votes for passage to send the package to the Senate. The new approach would leave behind aid to […]

1 day ago

(CNN) — Federal agencies are making final preparations with the government on the brink of a shu...

Clare Foran, Haley Talbot, Morgan Rimmer, Annie Grayer and Lauren Fox, CNN

Government on brink of shutdown ahead of midnight deadline as McCarthy slates last-minute vote

Federal agencies are making final preparations with the government on the brink of a shutdown and congressional lawmakers racing against Saturday’s critical midnight deadline.

1 day ago

FILE - The U.S. Capitol Building looms behind flags on the National Mall in Washington Nov. 7, 2022...

Mark Jones

Hope fading as government shutdown deadline approaches

A last-second continuing resolution failed Friday in the U.S House of Representatives. The bill would have given lawmakers an extra 30 days to avoid a government shutdown.

2 days ago

irs and other government employees and their families hold protest signs about the government shutd...

Britt Johnson

IRS employees in Ogden worry about potential government shutdown

IRS employees in Ogden are worried about the potential for another long government shutdown like the one in 2019.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Human hand holding a protest banner stop vaping message over a crowded street background....

Prosperous Utah Communities

Utah’s Battle to Protect Youth from Vaping Epidemic Faces New Threat as Proposed Rule Threatens Progress

Utah's strict standards of nicotine levels in vaping products are at risk, increasing health hazards associated with use. Read more about how you can advocate for a better future for Utah's youth.

Aerial photo of Bear Lake shoreline with canopies and people camped out on the beach...

Visit Bear Lake

Last-Minute Summer Vacation Planning? Check Out Bear Lake!

Bear Lake is the perfect getaway if you are last-minute summer vacation planning. Enjoy activities with your whole family at this iconic lake.

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Bill introduced to remove state-imposed food sales tax