Beebe signs legislation to cut state sales tax on groceries

Gov. Mike Beebe waves to thank everyone who worked on the bill he just signed into law calling for a 50 percent sales tax cut on groceries at the state Capitol Thursday. Behind Beebe are (standng, from left) Senate President Pro Tem Sen. Jack Critcher, D-Batesville, Sen. Bobby Glover, D-Carlisle, former state Sen. Bud Canada, and Rep. David Evans, D-Searcy.
Gov. Mike Beebe waves to thank everyone who worked on the bill he just signed into law calling for a 50 percent sales tax cut on groceries at the state Capitol Thursday. Behind Beebe are (standng, from left) Senate President Pro Tem Sen. Jack Critcher, D-Batesville, Sen. Bobby Glover, D-Carlisle, former state Sen. Bud Canada, and Rep. David Evans, D-Searcy.

— Gov. Mike Beebe this morning signed the bill that will cut the state's 6 percent sales tax on groceries down to 3 percent. The governor praised the Legislature for passing the measure, which he pledged to seek during his campaign last year. The law takes effect July 1.

Governor signs into law bill halving grocery tax

Momentous day for Beebe

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"This is a joint and united effort," Beebe said. "There is enough for everyone here to say they're doing what they believe is appropriate for our people, and that is to lessen the burden of what I believe is the most regressive tax on the poorestpeople that we have."

Read today's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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