New bill similar to one previously defeated

BOISE -- Getting relief on what you pay to put food on your dinner table is back on the legislative plate.

Legislators introduced another bill this morning to give Idahoans some grocery tax relief.

Governor Butch Otter says he could support a bill to ease the state tax on groceries that a House committee plans to consider.

It is nearly identical to another bill that failed to make it out of committee last month.

The bill would increase the food tax credit from $20 to $50 for the poorest Idahoan, and $30 for all others as well as an additional $20 for seniors.

The credit would rise by $10 per year to a cap of $100.

Members of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee say the proposal is worth looking at again since it may be the last chance for tax relief this year.

The governor has said that he favors any plan that targets relief at the state's neediest people.

Otter says through a spokesman that he could live with the bill, though he won't be endorsing it.

Lawmakers will debate the grocery tax plan again on Monday.