Urge Kansas lawmakers to support bills for lowering state sales tax on food

​Care about lowering sales tax on food? We need you to take action! Kansas Legislature is considering two bills that would reduce state sales tax rate on food.

​House Bill 2261
​
The House Taxation Committee will hold a hearing on House Bill 2261 next week. The bill was introduced by the Committee Chairman, Rep. Steven Johnson, and would lower the state grocery sales tax to 5.5% beginning in July of 2019.

Senate Bill 76

Meanwhile in the Senate, the Assessment and Taxation Committee will hold a hearing next week on Senate Bill 76, which was introduced by Senator Carolyn McGinn. The bill would stair-step the state sales tax rate on food down one percentage a year, beginning in July of 2019 and ending in 2021 at a rate of 3.5%.

Now is a good time to take action and let your legislators know that you care about lowering sales tax on food.

Here are four ways you can help:

1. Submit a written testimony.

Customize this template and email it to Ashley Jones-Wisner by 5:00 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, February 13. Be sure your testimony is addressed to Chairman Johnson for House Bill 2261 and Chairwoman Tyson for Senate Bill 76.

2. Send an email or letter to your state legislators.

Urge them to support House Bill 2261 and Senate Bill 76. Download this template and don’t forget to add your personal story. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• How much do you spend on groceries each month? Let your elected official know how much you’d save per year without the sales tax, and tell them you’d rather spend that money supporting businesses in your community. Find out how much sales tax you actually pay when you shop.
• Do you leave Kansas to shop in Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma or Colorado, states with low or no sales tax on groceries? Tell them how much shopping you’re doing across the state line.
• Are you on a fixed income? Explain how the high sales tax on food impacts your shopping habits?

3. Make a call.

Our phone script makes it easy.

4. Share on social media.

Please tag your elected officials and @kchealthykids, and don’t forget to ask your friends to share it too. You can use these sample posts:I care about lowering the sales tax on groceries in Kansas. I would rather spend money supporting local businesses in our community. #ksleg please support House Bill 2261 and Senate Bill 76! @kchealthykids

OR

Dear #ksleg
Kansans pay the highest sales tax on food in the nation.*An average family of four spends about $1,100 on groceries each month. In most places, Kansans pay around 10% in state and local taxes, which adds up to $100 every month, $1,200 a year. It’s time to make a change. Please support House Bill 2261 and Senate Bill 76!

Thank you for your time and for speaking out for lowering sales tax on food in Kansas!

*Combined state and local sale tax
Sources: USDA Center for Nutrition and Policy Promotion; Federation of Tax Administrators, Sales tax rates including food & drug exemptions