Alabama took a step toward lower grocery taxes and a higher threshold for income tax Wednesday when legislative committees approved HB 274 and SB 431, the Tax Fairness Amendment of 2008. The House Education Appropriations Committee gave the plan a favorable report by voice vote.

Meanwhile, the vote in the Senate Finance and Taxation – Education Committee was 15-1. The bills, sponsored by Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery, and Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, respectively, now move to the full chambers for consideration. If both the House and Senate approve the amendment by a three-fifths vote, Alabamians will vote on the measure in November. [Read more]