Alaska News

Winter grocery tax goes before Kenai Peninsula voters

KENAI -- Voters in the Kenai Peninsula Borough will decide if a tax on grocery items during the winter months should be rescinded.

The Peninsula Clarion reports a petition has been filed to repeal a 2008 borough ordinance that requires cities in the borough to collect the tax between Sept. 1 and May 31. That ordnance requires big box retailers like Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer and Safeway to collect the tax in cities like Soldotna and Homer.

Initiative backer James Price of Nikiski says the tax is proportionately harder for families and people on a fixed income. He adds it's not best way to fund municipalities.

The petition was certified last Friday, and will appear on the Oct. 6 ballot.

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