West Virginians earn one of the lowest per capita incomes in the nation, yet reside in one of the few states that taxes their 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 1 percent reduction in the food tax may not encourage folks to shop in West Virginia instead of crossing the border into Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio or Kentucky where food is not taxed.
Even Virginia significantly reduced their food tax this year. The financial pain to a West Virginia family isn't much less at 5 percent than it currently is at 6 percent.
A monthly sales tax holiday on food is folly. This will undoubtedly cause inventory headaches for the business and not increase overall sales. For a poor family who does not have much cash on hand, how can they even 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 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.
Delegate Cindy Frich R-Monongalia Morgantown