Rep. Behn vows to keep pushing grocery tax cut
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State Rep. Aftyn Behn wants to start an organizing campaign over cutting the grocery tax. Photo: Courtesy of House Democrats
A proposal to permanently cut Tennessee's grocery tax was put on the back burner last week by a state House committee, but freshman state Rep. Aftyn Behn hopes to turn the issue into a statewide organizing effort.
Why it matters: Eliminating the 4% grocery tax would save the average Tennessee family about $400 annually, WKRN reports.
- To offset the lost tax revenue, the proposal sought to close corporate tax loopholes for companies generating at least $250,000.
Zoom in: Tennessee remains one of 13 states with a grocery tax.
- The state has implemented grocery tax holidays in the past, but Democrats argue the tax cut should be permanent since it would benefit working-class people the most.
State of play: Behn correctly predicted in an interview last week with Axios that her bill would be "placed behind the budget," which means it's likely going nowhere this session.
- Behn says Democrats' pitch to eliminate the $700+ million annual grocery tax offers voters a point of comparison to Republicans' proposed $1.9 billion in franchise tax cuts and rebates.
- Republicans began pursuing the franchise tax cut after a law firm representing businesses across Tennessee questioned state leaders about the legality of the tax, the Associated Press reports.
The other side: A competing proposal sponsored by state Rep. William Lamberth would allow city governments to reduce their taxes on grocery sales, putting the financial burden on local budgets instead of the state.
The big picture: The push to eliminate the grocery tax illustrates how Behn is approaching policy with a focus on pocketbook issues. The progressive Behn won her House seat last year in a special election to replace state Rep. Bill Beck, who died unexpectedly.
- She's referred to herself as "political Barbie," underscoring her happy warrior approach this session.
Between the lines: Behn also collaborated with Republican state Rep. Todd Warner on a proposal to change how sexual harassment allegations in the legislature are investigated. That measure was rejected in the House.
- "I think being the newest representative and the youngest woman in the House gives me a lot of space to be the dynamic organizer that I am in my career. The inherent structure of the Republican supermajority is innately aggressive against bipartisanship," she told Axios.
What we're watching: The grocery tax proposal speaks conservatives' language since Tennessee Republicans have been on a tax-cutting spree.
- "Sen. Charlane Oliver [the Senate sponsor of the bill] and I are not going to back down pending its success or its loss. In the next few months we'll be organizing — this is an election year. We hope in the next three to five years we can eliminate it," Behn said.