Beebe Wants Legislative Support on Elimination of Grocery Tax

Little Rock, AR (AP) - Governor-elect Mike Beebe (D) says receiving the support of the leadership in the Legislature will be vital in trying to eliminate the state's sales tax on groceries. Specifically, he wants the support of incoming House Speaker Benny Petrus (D-Stuttgart) who has said he would rather see a targeted rebate or refund for those with middle and low incomes instead of an overall grocery tax cut. Beebe campaigned on phasing out the six-cent tax. Several bills pre-filed in the Legislature have offered different ideas on how to either phase out or immediately eliminate the tax. Beebe hopes he and Petrus will "be able to talk to each other in such a way that I can convince him." Beebe will be sworn in as governor January 9th. The upcoming legislative session begins January 8th. [Will this campaign promise survive?]

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Tags: Arkansas, grocery tax, Mike Beebe