QUICK FACTS

• Rapidly rising food costs are creating a growing burden on Oklahoma families;
• Demand on food pantries and other social service agencies is growing rapidly in Oklahoma, even while our economy as a whole fares well;
• Oklahoma’s sales tax on groceries is a regressive tax, taking a larger slice of the income of the poor and middle-class than of the wealthy;
• Increasing the Oklahoma grocery tax credit (Sales Tax Relief Credit) would be a targeted, fiscally responsible way of helping families in need keep pace with rising food costs;
• The current credit is $40 per household member; household eligibility goes up to $50,000 (for tax filers who are elderly, have a physical disability or claim a dependent) or $20,000 (for other households);
• Increasing the credit by an additional $20 per household member and expanding income eligibility by $10,000 would have an estimated fiscal impact of $36 million.

Yes, I/we endorse strengthening the Oklahoma Sales Tax Relief Credit to help Oklahoma families absorb the rising cost of food. I/we call on the Oklahoma Legislature to pass legislation in 2009 to increase the amount of the credit and expand its eligibility.