Alabama’s grocery sale tax may be cut in half under bill approved by the state House

In the face of soaring food prices and a rare budget surplus, House lawmakers in Alabama have approved a measure that would cut grocery sale tax from 4% to 2%.

Alabama is one of only three states that tax groceries at the same rate as other purchases. Some lawmakers, mostly Democrats, had for decades unsuccessfully pushed for the removal. But the measure gained bipartisan traction this year in the face of rare budget surplus and consumer frustration over rising food prices. Proponents said reducing the tax would help every Alabamian every time they walk in the grocery store.