SB 1063 takes away the ability by cities and towns to impose a levy on the purchase of food items for home consumption. Groceries already are already tax-exempt in Tucson.
Howard Fischer PHOENIX — The question of whether Arizonans will have to continue to pay sales taxes on groceries is now in the hands of Gov. Katie Hobbs.
Earlier this year she vetoed similar legislation to strip communities of their right to tax residential rentals. The governor said at that time she was concerned not only about the loss of revenues for affected communities but her belief that landlords might not pass on the savings. In opposing SB 1063, Rep. Lupe Contreras, D-Avondale, said this is about more than what he called the"pennies on the dollar" that shoppers would save. He said his constituents will end up feeling the effects when cities have to cut spending for the fire department, ambulance and police servicesBut House Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci, R-Lake Havasu City, said foes are understating the impact of the taxes which are charged by some cities.
"The cities should explain to their voters why police and fire are always first on the chopping block whenever there's a question about revenue," he said."It's pretty odd to me that Republicans are standing up to help people in the lowest income and middle class save on money when they buy groceries," said Rep. David Livingston, R-Peoria. By contrast, he said, those opposed to the measure"are helping the cities with taxes and maintaining taxes.
Yet Hernandez decided to vote with other Democrats against the measure. Tucson does not tax grocery items."I have constituents in my district who live paycheck to paycheck," he said.
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