LETTERS: CALL ABOUT FOOD SALES TAX

To the editor:

The three-cent cut in sales tax on food being considered by the Missouri Legislature is not a sure thing. It could be in trouble in the Senate.

Our state senators need to hear from the people now. We need to insist on support from our senators and ask them to make the food tax reduction a first priority.

Gov. Mel Carnahan proposed the permanent exemption of food from the 3-cent state general sales tax and continue to actively back it. The House passed this cut in the sales tax unanimously. But when the Senate takes up the Senate committee substitute bill that contain it, anything could happen.

When this bill id debated by the Senate (expected to be shortly after the Legislature reconvenes March 17 after its spring break), the permanent 3-cent food tax reduction could be changed or even eliminated from the bill. The 3 cents could be reduced, made temporary or into a changing amount from year to year.

Missourians for Tax Justice believes an overwhelming majority of Missourians want enactment of the permanent 3-cent food tax reduction this year. In 1996, an effort to reduce the food tax was killed in the Senate. We must not let that happen again. Success this year means we could begin saving on food costs as soon as July 1.

J.L. PIERSON, Steering Committee Member

Missourians for Tax Justice

St. Louis