Democratic candidate for Governor Jerri Green said recently that when elected, she’ll work with the legislature to eliminate the state’s regressive grocery tax.
Earlier this year, Green called for a temporary suspension of the grocery tax to provide relief during the long government shutdown.
In calling for an end to the grocery tax, Green joins Sen. Charlane Oliver and Rep. Aftyn Behn, who have been pushing legislation to stop the state grocery tax.
Tennessee is one of only 13 states that tax groceries. That would change if Rep. Aftyn Behn and Sen. Charlane Oliver get support for their legislation.
The state currently places a 4% tax on groceries and local governments may add up to 2.75%. The tax significantly increases costs for Tennessee families.
Behn said the measure would make Tennessee’s tax system more fair.
“Instead of focusing on a bipartisan solution to inflation, Gov. Lee announced he’s giving corporations yet another tax break despite wide support for eliminating the grocery tax. It’s time to shift the tax burden off of us and onto mega-corporations who don’t pay what they owe.”
The two main Republican candidates for Governor, Congressman John Rose and Senator Marsha Blackburn, have not expressed support for ending the state’s grocery tax.
This week, Blackburn voted against extending subsidies for health insurance purchased on the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace exchange - meaning Tennessee families will pay significantly more (as much as double) for ACA health plans starting January 1st.
Green joins a growing movement of Democratic candidates focused on addressing the national affordability crisis created by the failing policies of the Trump Administration.