Instead of a monthly food tax holiday or 1 percent repeal of the food tax, the governor and Legislature should totally eliminate the regressive sales tax on food.
West Virginians earn one of the lowest per capita incomes in the nation yet reside in one of the few states that tax the basic necessity of food.
Add to this fairness issue the reality that most of the folks in our state reside along the border of states with no food tax. A compelling argument exists to stop punishing state grocers with this competitive disadvantage. Let West Virginia grocery stores be "Open for Business."
A monthly sales tax holiday on food is folly. It will undoubtedly cause inventory headaches for business and not increase overall sales.
How can a poor family that does not have much cash on hand take advantage of savings by stocking up on items?
A sales tax holiday would also encourage purchases of less healthy alternatives to fresh produce.
Let's return to the people what is theirs. Eliminate the food tax and there still appears to be enough budget surplus to fund teacher's pay raises and dedicate more funds to the pension obligations than the legislature is required to do.
Cindy Frich
Morgantown
Frich is a member of the House of Delegates.