KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — State Rep. Aftyn Behn (D - Davidson County) has submitted a bill to the state legislature that would abolish Tennessee's 4% sales tax on groceries.
The bill won't be debated until the legislature starts its new session in January. Behn proposed a similar bill during the last session. It was criticized by some Republican leaders and Behn anticipates similar resistance this time, though she believes their widespread support for her idea.
"This year, on the heels of an election cycle where we saw both Republican and Democratic candidates run on eliminating the sales tax on groceries, I think there's even more of a legislative appetite to do so in the spring," Behn said.
She said her constituents have told her they want to see the tax abolished, as inflation persists across the U.S. economy. The revenue that the tax generates could be replaced by taxing large corporations based in Tennessee.
Rep. Gloria Johnson (D - Knox County) supports cutting the grocery tax.
Johnson said cutting the tax is one of several things that should be done to support Tennesseans.
"My job, I believe, is lifting the voice of the 70,000 people that live in my district, and those voices want to see the grocery sales tax cut. That's just a fact," she said.
State House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R - Crossville) said he sees room to refine the tax.
"Look, if we're going to look at reducing the grocery sales tax, I think we need to do is do it on staples like milk, eggs, butter," he said.
But from his point of view, the tax has a place in Tennessee.
"I think you try to do it in areas for people to eat healthier, be healthier, but also to help local farmers and local agriculture here in the state of Tennessee," he said.
Gov. Bill Lee (R) has temporarily suspended the grocery tax twice. The state legislative session is scheduled to begin on Jan. 14, 2025.