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Richard Piatt ReportingA popular proposal to remove the sales tax on grocery store food has moved forward at the State capitol, but there is still a big battle to be fought.
Here's the bottom line: Is there enough money to remove the food sales tax and fund new roads and education? Some lawmakers say yes. Others say no. There's no question, removing the sales tax on food is a popular idea. In fact, there are people desperate for the measure to pass.
Dorothy Talbert, Wants Sales Tax Removed From Food: "Somebody in the legislature doesn't know how poor people are."
The proposal made headway today when the full House passed it 57-17, under mixed reviews.
Rep. Steve Urquhart, House Majority Whip: "Government has a lot of money. Our people could keep a little of their own."
Rep. Jim Ferrin, (R) Orem: "Having a highway infrastructure program means a lot to everybody in this state, and that's why I'll be voting no."
Sticking points have been addressed except for things like funding transportation projects and education long-term. Cities and towns like an ammendment to let them raise local sales tax to make up the difference.
Rep. Greg Curtis, House Speaker: "Those who are philosophically opposed to it, you can't work that out. The idea that those who spoke against it and glaring problems, we take care of transit, and this bill is ready to go as is."
For the Senate it's still a no-go. There are still worries the state just can't afford the expensive wish list that's been promoted this year.
Sen. John Valentine, Senate President: "If we're going to take it off for everybody, we need to say we are not willing to put more money in transportation and education, those are the things that are critical to the senate."
There was a firm stand from the Governor today, who doesn't like anything but a straight repeal of the tax.
Reporter: "Is the idea of a tax credit, as opposed to taking it off at the register acceptable to you at all?"
Gov Huntsman: "No. I think if we do it at all, we do it in total. And this is the year we can do it in total."
The impact of removing the tax translates into several hundred dollars a year for an average Utah family.
Money is the sticking point, but it could be a problem that's solved when updated budget numbers come in a couple weeks.
