Mississippi News

Data Dive: Which states tax groceries?

Published

2 years ago

September 24, 2022

Staff Editor

Data Dive: Which states tax groceries?

by Nigel Dent, Mississippi Today
September 24, 2022

Mississippi is one of only 13 states that tax groceries, and at 7%, the state‘s tax is the highest in the nation.

View the data on the states that tax their groceries, including standard sales tax rates:

Grocery taxes only continue to burden low-income people, which compounds another problem of food insecurity: Mississippi has the highest food insecurity rate in the country, according to 2020 data provided by Feeding America.

Mississippi, the poorest state, also has one of the highest sales tax rates across the board, matching Indiana, Rhode Island and Tennessee. California has the highest sales tax of 7.25%.

The debate on whether or not to cut Mississippi’s grocery tax has persisted for years, with late politician Alan Nunnelee calling the 7% tax “the most cruel tax any government can impose” as far back as 2007.

As Bobby Harrison reported in a 2020 analysis, Vice President for State Fiscal Policy Michael Leachman of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities argued that Mississippi — the first state to impose a modern-day sales tax — did so because of race, at least partially.

To quote Harrison, “Even if Mississippi politicians are given a huge benefit of the doubt on the issue of race that history tells us they might not deserve, it is fair to assume that a high percentage of people whom [former Gov. Mike] Connor was referencing as paying no taxes were African American. After all, because of the higher levels of poverty among Black residents, they had then and have now less property and income to tax.

Many of the states where the higher sales taxes can be found are in the South. And only three states levy as much sales tax on food as they do on other retail items. Two of those also are Southern states — Mississippi and Alabama — with the other being South Dakota.”

As of 2022, the number of states that levy their full sales tax on food is now seven: Alabama, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Elected officials, though they discuss the possibility of cutting the grocery tax, have consistently stated that income tax is their priority.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Post Views: 800

Mississippi News

National Women’s March held in Tupelo brings locals together

Published

1 day ago

November 2, 2024

Staff Editor

www.wcbi.com – Kaleb Green – 2024-11-02 22:19:00

SUMMARY: The Women’s March in Tupelo, Mississippi, joined national marches advocating for women’s rights, coinciding with events in Washington D.C. and other cities. Organized by Indivisible Northeast Mississippi, the march featured influential speakers who emphasized the importance of personal autonomy and women’s involvement in societal issues. Participants expressed gratitude for the event‘s significance in a small town, with speakers urging women to fight for their rights and control their own bodies. The message for young women included themes of independence and empowerment, encouraging them to pursue their goals bravely. The Tupelo march was part of a larger movement encompassing similar events in Jackson and Hattiesburg.

Read the full article

The post National Women’s March held in Tupelo brings locals together appeared first on www.wcbi.com

Post Views: 129

Mississippi News

‘Get Out to Vote’ rally encourages citizens to cast their ballots

Published

1 day ago

November 2, 2024

Staff Editor

www.wcbi.com – Khamari Haymer – 2024-11-02 20:01:00

SUMMARY: Elected officials in Columbus, Mississippi, are promoting voter participation ahead of election day through a “Get Out to Vote” rally hosted by State Representative Kabir Karriem and District Supervisor Leroy Brooks. The event provided free food and drinks while emphasizing the significance of exercising voting rights. Karriem stressed the importance of voting, stating every citizen should participate. Brooks, reflecting on the historical struggles for voting rights, underscored that voting should be a natural part of civic engagement. The rally took place in front of the Lowndes County Courthouse, encouraging community members to take action.

Read the full article

The post ‘Get Out to Vote’ rally encourages citizens to cast their ballots appeared first on www.wcbi.com

Post Views: 22

Mississippi News

Millport hosts annual Stallion Street Fair

Published

1 day ago

November 2, 2024

Staff Editor

www.wcbi.com – Khamari Haymer – 2024-11-02 19:41:00

SUMMARY: The Stallion Street Fair in downtown Millport attracted hundreds, featuring food, vendors, games, and children‘s activities. Attendee Mark Trull praised the event for fostering community connections and supporting local businesses. Vendor Cynthia Woods emphasized its importance for raising brand awareness and networking. Meanwhile, Jason Patterson and Ashley Sudduth promoted a new weight loss clinic addressing obesity in Mississippi and Alabama. They plan to offer comprehensive services, including diet management and recipes. Vendors are already gearing up for next year’s fair, marking it as a vital event for promoting local engagement and business opportunities.

Read the full article

The post Millport hosts annual Stallion Street Fair appeared first on www.wcbi.com

Post Views: 18