DROP THE SALES TAX ON FOOD

Another feature of the House GOP agenda that is faring better than the others is the proposal to eliminate the state sales tax on food. It's doubtful there will be much opposition to this sound proposal, if early reaction is a reliable guide. Within days of the GOP announcement, the governor joined House Democrats in saying nice things about it -- if not for outright repeal, then at least some reduction.

Credit should go to Rep. Rich Chrismer, R-St. Charles, who has been pushing a version of this since he arrived in the House three years ago. The cost of the measure is estimated at $300 million. Other states, such as neighboring Iowa, don't tax food. A state government more awash in revenue than at any time in recent years can well afford this proposal.

This past week, House Ways and Means Committee chairman Ken Jacob, D-Columbia, moved to co-opt the measure by proposing to slash the sales tax on food by 1.75 cents from its current 4.225 percent, meaning the new sales tax on food would be 2.425 cents. The governor responded with a letter stating he was "open to this approach."

Given a chance to eliminate an entire category of taxation, lawmakers should seize it. The state can afford it, and hard-pressed families need relief. The GOP should redouble their efforts to eliminate this tax entirely.