Arizona Prop 316 grocery tax measure on ballot

This election voters are being asked to decide eight statewide propositions. So for the next couple of weeks we're going to break them down. You know different proposition each day in our seven o'clock hour because many times they are very confusing. They are. The wording can kind of be a little funky and so we want to make sure that many of you understand what they mean. Yep so today we are tackling Prop 316 which would change the way a grocery tax is put in place here in Arizona. Prop 316 made it to the ballot by legislative referral. That means lawmakers voted to put the measure on the ballot. The proposition prohibits local governments from adopting or increasing a tax on groceries without voter approval. It would also cap any new or increased tax to two percent. The rules cover food items intended for home consumption only and does not include food that is made to be eaten immediately. That's things like food served in restaurants and some ready-to-eat meals. Currently, several of Arizona's smaller cities have a grocery tax in place. Those rates would be grandfathered in, but they would not be allowed to raise them. The state's three largest cities, Phoenix, Tucson, and Mesa, do not have a grocery tax. Supporters say essential items should not be taxed, but opponents say local governments, not the state, should make decisions about rules in their own towns and cities. The bill to put the prop on the ballot passed along party lines with Republicans supporting the bill and Democrats opposing it.