What other papers are saying

By Staff
State has another big shopping day for parents
The Associated Press (AP) reported this week that back-to-school shoppers in Alabama can avoid paying the state sales tax on their purchases if they do their shopping the first Friday, Saturday or Sunday in August.
The Alabama Senate passed a sales tax holiday bill 33-0, and the House went along with Senate changes in the bill 103-0. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mac Gipson, R-Prattville, now goes to Gov. Bob Riley, who said he would sign it into law.
Nationwide, 12 states – including Georgia and Florida – already waive sales tax on school supplies over a designated period of time coinciding with the beginning of school.
The Tennessee Legislature recently voted to waive the taxes the first weekend in August.
The AP said the three-day break from the state's 4 percent sales tax covers:
This measure will not only help families, but it could turn the first weekend in August into a major retail extravaganza locally.
The AP reported that the Legislative Fiscal Office estimates Alabamians will save about $3.3 million annually in state taxes.
The legislation allows cities and counties to waive their local sales taxes the same weekend, if they would like.
According to the AP, to make up part of the lost taxes, the Senate gave final approval to a bill requiring companies that have contracts with the state for any type of supplies to start charging state and local taxes on their sales to Alabama consumers.
What lawmakers have done is secure steady income for all of our local merchants. Now, we can finally have the Christmas in August atmosphere.
–The Clanton (Ala.) Advertiser. Note: Editorials from other newspapers printed in the Franklin County Times also reflect the opinion of our editorial board.