FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2017
Contact: Breland Draper, IORC, 208-670-0891
Grocery Tax Hurts Idaho’s Border Communities
Grassroots Group Urges State Leaders to Support Repeal
Boise, Idaho – A grassroots group today urged the Legislature and Governor to remove a competitive disadvantage for Idaho border communities and businesses by rescinding the grocery sales tax.
Boise-based Idaho Organization of Resource Councils said exempting groceries from the 6 percent sales tax would improve food access and affordability for all Idahoans, increase profits for local farmers and food producers, and spark economic activity in border communities.
“Payette is losing business across the state line because shoppers buy their food in Oregon,” said Chad Brock, an IORC board member from New Plymouth. “Removing barriers to affordable access to food would be a big advantage for all of us.”
Brock said IORC is disappointed Gov. Butch Otter opposes the exemption. “This is an opportunity for Governor Otter to be a champion for all Idahoans,” he said. “We encourage the Governor to reconsider and support this legislation.”
The bill is expected to be debated in the Senate on Monday March, 20th.
“I urge Idahoans to contact their legislators and the Governor and ask them to end the grocery sales tax,” he said. “Let’s support our border communities.”
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The Idaho Organization of Resource Councils (IORC) is a non-profit grassroots organization working to protect Idaho’s unique way of life by empowering citizens to improve the economic well-being of their communities by preserving family farms and ranches; supporting local, sustainable agriculture; developing small businesses and clean energy; and being responsible stewards of Idaho’s water, land, air, and natural resources.
For more information visit: www.IORCinfo.org