Hubert Vo - Dedicated to Public Service

March 10 , 2005

VO CALLS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL BAN ON TAXING FOOD, MEDICINE

(AUSTIN) -- With state lawmakers scrambling to find the money to fund a variety of new and existing programs, State Rep. Hubert Vo today proposed an amendment to the Texas Constitution that would put one potential revenue source off limits forever: a state sales tax on basic food and medicines.

"Putting food on the family table is tough enough for many working Texans," Vo said. "The least we can do is take the notion of taxing that food off the table."

Vo said legislative proposals as recently as 1997 have attempted to expand the state sales tax, including one that year by his predecessor to tax basic food and over-the-counter medicines.

Lawmakers in Austin this week are again considering a vast expansion of the sales tax that would make Texas' sales tax rate the highest in the nation by far. The latest proposal includes expanding the sales tax to soft drinks and other so-called "snack foods."

Vo's proposal would amend Article VIII of the Texas Constitution to prohibit the taxation of any food, drink, or medicine not already taxed under Chapter 151 of the state tax code.

Vo said his proposed amendment would guard against any temptation by the current or future legislatures to tax basic foodstuffs, broaden the definition of "snack foods," or draw distinctions between over-the-counter and prescription medicines.

"Finding state revenue is never easy in the legislative process," Vo said. "Let's not make those who are working hard and playing by the rules pay for our inability to get the job done."

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