TOPEKA, (KSNT)— Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, announced a “bold new plan” to save Kansas families money on their grocery bill.
The Governor made the announcement at a local Dillons in Topeka Monday. Kelly said she will be drafting legislation to submit for next session to “Axe the Food Tax” and eliminate the tax on food in Kansas.
“At 6.5%, We are the second-highest rate in the country,” Gov. Kelly said. “In the coming weeks, I’m going to have legislation drafted to eliminate the state sales tax on food…We are going to axe the food sales tax.”
The Governor said the estimated cost for the plan is about $450 million a year.
The plan is focused on eliminating the state food sales tax. The Governor said she believes in local control, so the food sales tax for cities and counties wouldn’t be affected.
The Governor was joined by several democratic leaders, including Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland, Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes, and House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer.
“This bill will not only support our families, but also our many hardworking businesses by keeping Kansans from going across the border to buy their groceries. Under Governor Kelly’s leadership, Kansas is riding a record-breaking upward trajectory in economic development. This announcement will continue that momentum, building a stronger economy for Kansans now and into the future.”
Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland
Attorney General Derek Schmidt issued a letter to legislative leaders Friday in support of eliminating the food sales tax. The Governor rejected speculation that this was an attempt to get in front of the issue.
“This is not something new. This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a very long time,” Gov. Kelly said. “Now we have the funds to do this and to sustain this tax cut over the years”
With her plan, the Governor said a Kansas family of 4 could save “over $500” on their grocery bill.
If passed, the Governor said families could start seeing changes on their grocery bill by July 1, 2022.
