Alabama Arise to support untaxing groceries bill at State House on Thursday

Alabama Arise will hold a news conference at the Alabama State House in Montgomery on Thursday to support a bill that decreases taxes on groceries. 

"Alabama’s state sales tax on groceries is a cruel tax on survival," said a press release from Alabama Arise. "It increases hunger rates, drives struggling families deeper into poverty and adds pressure to household budgets with every trip to the grocery store."

"State lawmakers took an important first step toward untaxing groceries in 2023 by reducing the state grocery tax from 4% to 3%. Legislators now have another chance this year to continue the bipartisan progress toward untaxing groceries in Alabama forever."

The bill is HB 386 by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville and reduces the state sales tax on groceries from 3% to 2% beginning on Sept. 1. It received House committee approval and is scheduled for a vote in the House this week.

Scheduled speakers are Rev. Clyde Jones, board president of Alabama Arise Action and Robyn Hyden, executive director.

"Ending the state grocery tax in a responsible way has been a longtime priority for Arise members. Alabama is one of only 10 states still taxing groceries," the press release goes on to say. "By ending the remaining 3% state grocery tax, lawmakers could save Alabamians the equivalent of a week and a half worth of groceries each year."

The news conference will take place at 11:45 a.m. in Room 200 of the Alabama State House on 11 South Union Street in Montgomery.