Kansas lawmakers consider lowering sales tax on food

Food is a necessity. Some legislators in the Sunflower State are considering a bill that would result in greater savings at the cash register.

Kansas lawmakers have begun hearing testimony on the possibility of lowering the state tax on food sales.

During a hearing Monday before the House Taxation committee, food growers, small-town grocers and advocates for low-income families supported reducing the 6.5 percent state food sales tax rate by 1 percent. The reduction would lower state revenues by $60 million.

Rep. Tim Hodge, a North Newton Democrat, says the reduction would provide a little more money in families. And Oberlin city administrator Halley Roberson said her town is losing money because residents can buy food in nearby Nebraska, which doesn’t tax food.

John Donley, of the Kansas Farm Bureau, said the organization was concerned that lowering the sales tax on food would lead to efforts to lowering other taxes.