Governor Tomblin Announces Elimination of the Food Tax

Press Release

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today travelled West Virginia to announce the elimination of the food tax. The tax will be cut in half July 1, 2012 and eliminated July 1, 2013. The governor was welcomed by shoppers at the Capitol Market in Charleston and Grant's Supermarket in Green Valley.

"Last year, I lowered the food tax from 3 percent to 2 percent. This year, I'm reducing the food tax to 1 percent. Because of good fiscal management, next year it will be completely eliminated," said Gov. Tomblin. "This tax cut will put money back into the pockets of hard-working West Virginians."

As Senate President, Tomblin worked with then-Governor Manchin to begin phasing out the food tax. In Gov. Tomblin's 2011 State of the State address, he called upon the West Virginia Legislature to continue reducing the food tax. Gov. Tomblin signed House Bill 2971 into law, lowering the tax from 3 percent to 2 percent in March 2011. Later that year, in a special session, Gov. Tomblin signed Senate Bill 1001, which outlines a responsible plan to eliminate the food tax. The food tax will be eliminated July 1, 2013.

Source