Keisha Lance Bottoms discusses grocery tax relief plan in Macon
Her proposal would let cities and counties suspend or eliminate local sales taxes on groceries, take-home meals, diapers and other family essentials.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Democratic nominee for governor Keisha Lance Bottoms discussed her plan to lower everyday costs for Georgia families during a roundtable in Macon Friday.
Her Local Grocery and Family Essentials Tax Relief Plan would give cities and counties the option to suspend or eliminate local sales taxes on groceries, take-home family meals, diapers, baby formula and feminine hygiene products.
Bottoms says as prices continue to rise, she wants to ease the financial pressure on families while also supporting local farmers.
“Especially when you have diesel at $6 a gallon, it’s the highest it’s ever been,” she said. “So, we’ve made some proposals to help our farmers, because we know they are being hit really hard between the cost of diesel to tariffs.”
Bottoms says she’s concerned about the state of the economy and what rising costs could mean for the next generation and their hope for the future.
“I feel a sense of anxiety and hopelessness amongst people that I haven’t felt in the course of my life serving in office,” she said. “Something feels different, and I see it a lot in our young people.”
Bottoms says she’s concerned about the financial pressures young people are facing and wants to make sure future generations don’t have to repeat the same cycle of hardship.
“They’re concerned about, ‘Will I be able to afford rent?’ ‘If I do buy a house can I pay utilities?'” she said. “So, all of that being said, we’re not the first generation to experience hardship, but it is for us to make sure generations after us aren’t repeating that cycle.”
Bottoms says her plan is focused on helping families manage everyday costs while creating a stronger financial future for the next generation. She says supporting local communities and easing the burden of rising costs will remain a priority.
