1/19/2011
CHARLESTON, W.Va.-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today joined local business owners and grocery store shoppers at the Kanawha City Foodland in Charleston to discuss his food tax cut proposal.
“This unfair, regressive tax hurts every West Virginian but no one feels the impact more than those families who are struggling to pay their everyday bills and put food on the table,” Gov. Tomblin said. “Our state can take this fiscally responsible step and reduce the food tax by one percent.”
During the State of the State Address, the governor proposed legislative action to reduce the food tax to two percent from the current three percent, effective January 1, 2012. If passed by the Legislature, and signed into law by the governor, the reduction will save West Virginians an estimated $26 million dollars a year.
“The current tax hurts our grocery businesses located along our borders as they must compete with neighboring states’ lower food tax,” Gov. Tomblin said. “If we can reduce the tax, not only will it keep West Virginians shopping here at home, but it will enable shoppers to have a bit more money to put back into their pockets.”
Under the leadership of then-Governor Manchin, what was once a six percent tax was gradually reduced to three percent in 2008, and provided a savings of at least $75 million to all West Virginians.
It is important to note the governor’s proposed reduced rate does not apply to all food sales. Prepared food, soft drinks, food sold through vending machines, food sold in a heated state, or food sold with eating utensils provided by the seller will continue to be taxed at 6%.
Contact Information
Jacqueline Proctor
(304) 558-2000