Legislature needs to remove sales tax from our groceries

You have to admire the House for continuing to hammer away at the thorny issue that is property tax reform. No matter what they do, somebody isn't going to be happy. Some are going to say it's too much and others are going to say it's not enough.

The latest proposal, which was adopted by the House on a 46-24 vote, would boost the sales tax 1.25 cents but give homeowners, businesses and farmers a break.

The Senate is scheduled to vote on the issue today after the bill squeaked through the chamber's Local Government and Taxation Committee on a 5-4 vote.

I don't mind the idea of a higher sales tax — it's as good a method as any, really, to spread taxes equitably. What I don't like about it and, while I'll grant you a severe right turn from the property tax issue — and the whole point of my grumble — is that Idaho still taxes on food.

Raise the sales tax. No problem. Tax me on non-perishable items. Again, no problem. But on food? That should be a no-brainer.

For those living paycheck-to-paycheck and spending a major chunk of coinage on their grocery bill, it seems a bit greedy.

While $5 in taxes may not seem like much when you're already kicking out $100 for groceries, think of it this way — that $5 would buy a gallon of milk, some bread and maybe a small jar of peanut butter. Add in another $1.25 and you're talking some fruits and veggies.

It's beginning to sound like lunch, isn't it?

Maybe it's time the Legislature considers eliminating the sales tax on food.

Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.