Tennesseans dispute the need for a food tax cut (Page 3 of 3)

Kretchik says that the numbers do not account for those who are too proud to acknowledge that they have experienced either of those outcomes.

A factor that also comes into play is an individual’s expenses. For example, although Rimmer does not have any other family members depending on her salary, she has a heavy burden of expenses, like school, that pretty much deprives her of extra pocket money. She feels that one of the major stigmas holding back states from eliminating sales tax on foods is that they have incorrectly characterized “hungry” people as only being the poorest families in the lowest economic bracket. Rimmer says that, regardless of the logic of that argument, it just isn’t so.

“I think that people need to realize that this picture that we have painted of poverty doesn’t work anymore because poverty is starting to invade the working class and the middle class,” she says. “ Like me, I’m not mooching off of the system. People think that poor people waste food stamps on fruit roll-ups and stuff, but it’s just not true.”

Kretchik says MANNA supports a tax swap rather than simply a tax cut because the organization values education programs and would not want them to become under-funded. Tennessee currently ranks 45th in the nation for education spending, according to the National Education Association.

Breaking Partisan Barriers

While many issues will continue to split the General Assembly directly down party lines, the tax swap bill is one on which many state Democrats and Republicans see eye to eye. Local legislators Sen. Tim Burchett-R, Sen. Jamie Woodson-R, Sen. Randy McNally-R and Rep. Harry Tindell-D have all shown support for one food tax reform bill or another. And though some question the intentions behind Republican backing of these proposals, Burchett views the bipartisanship on this issue more optimistically.

“I’m not a big fan of taxes — I like user fees,” he admits, “[but] this is a very logical move. I just hope we can address this sensibly without all the name-calling that just seems to cloud the issues.”

BBurchett believes a tax swap is “reasonable,” and the timing is right for the change.

“It’s ridiculous that we’re bending to the tobacco lobby,” he says. “Let it stand on its own two feet.”

He also sympathizes with those who struggle to buy their groceries. He recognizes that food is more of a financial burden on some than others.

“The wealthier — they’re not going to use their coupons when they go to the Sizzler. They’re going to go straight to the surf and turf,” he says.

From the Other Side of the Counter

Some say they’re suffering consequences of the state’s high food tax rate but not for the same reason as Rimmer and other customers on a tight budget.

Donnie Douglas, owner of Douglas’s Food Market, says his business of four years is suffering. His store is located in Jellico, Tenn., right by the Kentucky border. An imaginary line drawn between states makes a big difference to grocers like him. Kentucky is one of the states in the country that does not have a food tax.

At one point, a Kentucky competitor was within as little as 150 yards.

“It makes it really rough,” Douglas says, “Customers, they would just sort of use us like a convenient store, but do most of their shopping over there.”

Even though Douglas sells cigarettes in his store, he still supports the tax swap. He says people who want to buy cigarettes will still buy them, even if the tax goes up.

“I don’t even care if I sell [tobacco] here or not,” he says. “Take the tax off the food and give the working people of Tennessee a break.”