SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah House has voted to repeal the statewide sales tax on food and raise the rate slightly on other purchases.
The Deseret News reports lawmakers sent the measure to the Senate Tuesday on a vote of 42-27.
It would remove the 1.75 percent tax on food, excluding candy.
Sales taxes on other items would increase from 4.7 percent to 4.92 percent.
The bill's chief sponsor, Republican Rep. Tim Quinn of Heber City, says taxing food is immoral. He says people can make their own decision whether to buy most things but they don't have a choice when it comes to food.
Republican Rep. Scott Sandall of Tremonton was among those who opposed the bill. He says removing the sales tax on food narrows the tax base and places the burden on fewer people.
