SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
HUNTSVILLE — A promise to remove Alabama’s remaining state grocery tax is putting household budgets at the center of the election’s closing weeks, with Republican leaders pledging permanent relief and Democrats asking why shoppers must wait until next year.
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter and Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger announced the proposal Friday, Oct. 16, at Star Super Market in Huntsville. They said they drafted legislation to eliminate the remaining 2% state tax and would make it a priority when the Legislature convenes in 2027. Ledbetter pledged to bring the measure to the House floor within the session’s opening weeks.
For shoppers, the distinction between a promise and an enacted tax cut matter: the remaining state tax is still in place.
A household spending $1,000 monthly on qualifying groceries would save another $20 a month, or $240 annually, if lawmakers eliminate the remaining levy. Combined with earlier reductions, that household’s annual savings would total approximately $480 compared with the former 4% state rate. City and county grocery taxes would remain unless separately reduced.
Republican lawmakers framed the proposal as a response to the financial pressures residents describe at their doors.
“I tell people, people are making decisions between food and fuel, so this would be a great help for them,” said Rep. Rex Reynolds, according to 1819 News.
Reynolds joined Reps. James Lomax and Phillip Rigsby and Sen. Sam Givhan at the announcement. Lomax, who sponsored this year’s temporary grocery-tax holiday, argued that growth in Alabama’s businesses and tax base makes further relief possible.
The pledge also arrives as those four North Alabama Republicans face Democratic challengers on Nov. 3.
Lomax faces James Linderholm in House District 20; Reynolds faces Forrest Satterfield in House District 21; Rigsby faces Allison Montgomery in House District 25; and Givhan faces Jared Sluss in Senate District 7. Republicans also are defending the open Senate District 2 seat, where John Roberts faces Democrat Rudolph Valentino Drake.
Alabama Political Reporter, citing unnamed Republican sources familiar with internal strategy, linked the tax announcement to efforts to protect legislative seats in Madison and Limestone counties. That account represents the sources’ assessment of party strategy. alreporter.com
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones challenged the timing in a weekend exchange with Ledbetter on X, calling it an “election year conversion.” Jones argued that Democratic lawmakers had advocated eliminating the tax for years.
Ledbetter defended Republicans’ record, pointing to previous grocery-tax reductions and more than $1.5 billion in tax relief. He also questioned why Democrats had not eliminated the levy when they controlled the Legislature.
The policy itself has attracted support across party lines. Both Jones and Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville have backed ending the state grocery tax, while Democratic Rep. Penni McClammy sponsored repeal legislation during the 2026 session.
Alabama reduced the state rate from 4% to 3% in September 2023 and to 2% in September 2025. This year, lawmakers suspended the state tax during May and June; it returned July 1. The Department of Revenue confirmed that the temporary holiday did not affect local taxes.