(The Center Square) — Tennessee Rep. Elaine Davis, R-Knoxville, has filed a bill that would remove the state’s sale tax on groceries.
It’s the second bill filed to end the tax. Democrats introduced a bill last month. The bills only remove the tax on food and food ingredients and not prepared foods, candy or alcohol.
Davis said her bill would not raise taxes or cause local governments to lose revenue. Local governments would have the option to impose a grocery tax.
“We have all felt the impact of rising food prices over the last few years, and working families have struggled to put food on the table as a result,” Davis said. “Tennesseans know best how to spend their own money. Repealing taxes on essential items like food and personal hygiene products has been one of my top legislative priorities.”
House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, backs the bill.
Senate Democrats called the Republican bill a “publicity stunt.”
“Republicans have had control in Tennessee for 14 years and they didn’t eliminate the grocery tax. Instead, they cut BILLIONS in taxes for the wealthy and big corporations,” they said in a social media post.
Democrats introduced the bill during the 2024 session but it failed.
Lawmakers passed a bill that suspended the state’s grocery tax for three months in 2023 that returned an estimated $272.8 million to the taxpayers.
