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A Tax On Groceries Is Uncommon In Most Of New England

Phil! Gold
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Creative Commons/www.flickr.com/photos/phil_g/2047846638

The idea of taxing groceries in Connecticut is meeting with a chilly response. It's uncommon among states in the region.

Last year, a commission charged with coming up with ways to improve Connecticut's fiscal health and economy floated the idea of a 2 percent tax on groceries.

Governor Ned Lamont hasn't confirmed he's seriously considering the concept, but there's no shortage of people opposed.

It's not how it works in the rest of New England.

Massachusetts and New Hampshire don't tax groceries. Vermont just taxes soft drinks, and Rhode Island taxes fruit drinks and candy.

Maine doesn't tax staples, but does tax items that are ready to consume — from soft drinks and candy to hummus and microwaveable meals.

In Connecticut, Lamont will have to decide whether he wants his state to start taxing groceries before he proposes his budget to the legislature next month. 

Copyright 2019 New England Public Media

Before joining New England Public Radio, Alden was a producer for the CBS NEWS program 60 Minutes. In that role, he covered topics ranging from art, music and medicine to business, education, and politics. Working with correspondent Morley Safer, he reported from locations across the United States as well as from India, Costa Rica, Italy, and Iraq.