Supporters of a proposal to eliminate sales tax from unprepared food appealed to lawmakers' ethical side Thursday, with one pastor telling a legislative subcommittee it was "morally unjust" to tax such a basic necessity.

"It has been said many times that the moral character of a society is judged by how it treats all its citizens, but especially the poor among us," the Rev. Erin Gilmore said. "We have a responsibility as citizens of our community to support those who have less."

Gilmore, pastor of Holladay United Church of Christ, appeared with Linda Hilton of the Coalition of Religious Communities to urge the Legislature's Sales and Use Tax subcommittee to recommend a complete repeal of sales tax on food to the larger Tax Reform Task Force.

It is the third time in recent years that legislators have considered a repeal of the food sales tax. Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. even put forth the idea as one of his campaign pledges. He has not pressed the issue since, however, and has chosen instead to have the task force consider it and make recommendations for the 2006 Legislature.

Subcommittee members appeared lukewarm to the idea Thursday, raising concerns about the impact it could have on local governments that rely on sales tax monies. According to the Utah State Tax Commission, the state general fund stands to lose $161 million and local governments $35 million if food were removed from the sales tax base.

"When we talk about the voters or the citizens, a policy change like this could adversely impact many of them as well," said Rep. Gregory H. Hughes, R-Draper. "We have to make sure that whatever we do, we see the unintended consequences."

Mitigating factors mentioned included changing the sales tax distribution to a countywide plan or reversing sales tax exemptions on other items, such as a contemplated repeal of the sales tax exemption on gasoline and diesel fuel.

In a show of silent support for the measure, about a dozen people sat in the audience, each wearing a bright pink sticker stating: "It's simple, It's fair!"

While all Utahns will benefit from the removal of sales tax on food items, it will particularly helpful to low-income residents, Hilton said. Especially those on the cusp of poverty who don't qualify for public assistance such as food stamps or the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program.

"We're talking about milk, baby formula, rice, tuna, fruits and vegetables," she said. "Basic foods that any household needs."

The proposal advocated Thursday would eliminate sales tax on food items sold at grocery stores. Food sold elsewhere, such as fast food, restaurants, convenience stores and sporting events, would still be taxed.

The effort to eliminate sales tax on food enjoys wide support among Utahns, according to a recent Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll conducted by Dan Jones & Associates. The June survey indicates that 68 percent of respondents strongly or somewhat favor cutting the food tax and 27 percent oppose the measure.

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Impact on revenue

Annual revenue lost if food removed from sales tax base:

General fund — $161 million

Local sales tax — $35 million

Average per capita sales tax on food — $92.46

Source: Utah State Tax Commission

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E-mail: awelling@desnews.com