More than 200 Alabama Arise supporters gathered Thursday at the State House to urge lawmakers to continue efforts to reduce — and eventually eliminate — the state sales tax on groceries.
Advocates called on state senators to pass HB386, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville. The bill, which passed the House 103-0 on Tuesday, would reduce the state grocery tax from 3 percent to 2 percent starting Sept. 1.
“We’re here today to ask our lawmakers to continue what we started two years ago by reducing the state grocery tax again,” said Alabama Arise Board President Clyde Jones at a news conference. “Reducing the grocery tax will make it easier for families across the state of Alabama to make ends meet. And it will be an important step toward our ultimate goal of untaxing groceries once and for all.”
The push builds on a significant breakthrough in 2023, when the Alabama Legislature unanimously voted to reduce the state grocery tax from 4 percent to 3 percent. Alabama remains one of just 10 states that still tax groceries, though three of those states have ended their state-level tax but allow local governments to continue taxing food. Kansas ended its state grocery tax this year, adding to the growing national trend.
“Our message today is simple: It is wrong to tax groceries,” said Alabama Arise Executive Director Robyn Hyden. “This is a highly regressive tax that drives many people deeper into poverty. Taxing food makes it harder for struggling families to put food on the table. It is a cruel tax on survival. This tax needs to end, and the sooner, the better.”
The impact of HB386 would be significant for working families, with estimates showing that reducing the tax by one percentage point would save an average Alabama family of four about $150 per year, based on USDA cost-of-food estimates.
Hyden also praised the bipartisan support the effort has received. She highlighted champions of the cause, including Sens. Andrew Jones, R-Centre; Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove; along with Reps. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville; and Penni McClammy, D-Montgomery; and former Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery.
“This is not a partisan issue. This is a moral issue,” Hyden said. “We’re going to continue to work together to get HB386 across the finish line with the help of our senators, and to find a sustainable way to fund our state government without taxing people deeper into poverty.”
