Consumers and employers respond to grocery tax cut

Oklahoma Legislature eliminated the 4.5 percent state’s grocery tax in late August, allowing consumers to save hundreds of dollars. After almost a week, consumers and employees are seeing the changes.

In a recent article_732087a2-01a3-5679-823c-b95da641a106.html” target=”_blank”>article, it was reported annual savings range from $125 for a family making $40,000 per year to $408 for a family making $619,000 per year. State revenues are expected to decline by more than $370 million.

But multiple consumers said the prices went up instead of down.

Jessica Koen, Lawton, said it went up a lot. As a family, they “can’t get as much” as they used to since things “doubled” in price. They spend $400 per week once a week on groceries.

The article said certain foods will still be taxed, but some are exempt. Items to be taxed include prepared foods such as rotisserie chicken, dog food, toiletries and over-the-counter medications. Foods not taxed include frozen meals, fish, meat baby food, candy, canned foods and potato chips.

A consumer presented her receipt at Cash Saver in Lawton, which showed the food tax over $20 and the non-food tax less than $1.

David Gouge, assistant store manager at Cash Saver, said the grocery tax cut has been in place and has been saving consumers money. The food tax takes 10 percent off the price, but the non-food tax doesn’t take anything off.

Karen Butler, Lawton, said Oklahoma’s “catching up” to her home state Colorado with the tax cut. Colorado doesn’t have the cut, but Oklahoma does.