Connect with us

News from the South - Alabama News Feed

Alabama House approves tax exemption on baby formula, maternity clothing, hygiene products

Published

4 months ago

on

alabamareflector.com – Anna Barrett – 2025-03-20 15:19:00

Alabama House approves tax exemption on baby formula, maternity clothing, hygiene products

by Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector
March 20, 2025

The Alabama House of Representatives unanimously passed its fifth tax cut of the week Thursday with an exemption for baby products and menstrual hygiene products.

HB 152, sponsored by Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, exempts baby formula, maternity clothing and menstrual hygiene products from state sales tax.

Although the legislation passed unanimously, Rep. Mary Moore, D-Birmingham, said she was concerned about what clothes would be considered “maternity.”

GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.

SUBSCRIBE

“I’m not being critical. That’s their choice,” Moore said of people who have “restrictive” maternity clothes. “What you consider to be maternity clothing may not be what they want to wear.”

Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, offered an amendment to the bill expanding the exemption to adult diapers. It was adopted unanimously.

“You know I’m all about women, children and seniors,” she said to Rafferty on the floor. “I have an amendment to include seniors with diapers.”

The legislation would take $10.5 million dollars from the Education Trust Fund (ETF) before Shaver’s amendment, but Rafferty said the amendment adds an additional $2.5 million in tax cuts. The ETF is $9.2 billion this year. 

Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, sponsored the tax passage that passed Tuesday. He supported the fifth tax cut for a majority of Alabamians. The four-bill package that passed Tuesday will reduce the ETF by $192 million.

“An additional $13 million in tax breaks for a broadbase of Alabamians,” he said.

House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, applauded the tax cut after the House adjourned Thursday.

“We had five tax cuts this week alone,” Ledbetter said. “So the people of Alabama are going to start seeing relief that they hadn’t had, and certainly we’re proud to be able to do that.”

The bill now goes to the Senate.

YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.

SUPPORT

Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com.

The post Alabama House approves tax exemption on baby formula, maternity clothing, hygiene products appeared first on alabamareflector.com

Related Topics:

News from the South - Alabama News Feed

News 5 NOW at 5:30pm | July 10, 2025

Published

14 hours ago

on

July 10, 2025

By

www.youtube.com – WKRG – 2025-07-10 17:54:27

SUMMARY: On News 5 NOW, Thursday, July 10, 2025, key stories included two teens arrested in Florida for burglary linked to a viral TikTok trend. A man died from injuries in a Bayou Coden boat crash under investigation. Oak View Group’s CEO was indicted for bid rigging but Mobile city operations remain unaffected. A Centell house fire, suspected arson, destroyed a home with no injuries reported. In Gulf Shores, Zachary Winter was arrested under a new law after a woman overdosed on fentanyl, facing manslaughter charges. The show featured viewer polls, a fun “Barbie doll” question, and prompts for audience interaction on upcoming topics.

Two teens arrested after a TikTok trend, a Citronelle home engulfed in flames, and a man arrested in connection to an overdose death.

Source

Continue Reading

News from the South - Alabama News Feed

Mobile Arena management CEO indicted on federal charges

Published

15 hours ago

on

July 10, 2025

By

www.youtube.com – WKRG – 2025-07-10 16:19:56

SUMMARY: The CEO of Oak View Group (OVG), hired to manage Mobile’s new arena, was indicted on federal conspiracy charges linked to bid-rigging in another city. Despite this, Mobile officials say the arena project remains unaffected and on schedule for early 2027 completion. OVG secured a 22-year contract in February to manage the new Mobile Arena, the Mobile Convention Center, and the Saenger Theatre, receiving $400,000 annually for operations, maintenance, and event booking. The City of Mobile confirmed no bidding was involved in contract selection, and a local OVG team now oversees these venues.

The head of the company hired to manage the new Mobile Arena is facing federal charges.

Source

Continue Reading

News from the South - Alabama News Feed

Mobile first responders bring home medals from World Police and Fire Games

Published

1 day ago

on

July 9, 2025

By

www.youtube.com – WKRG – 2025-07-09 22:19:42

SUMMARY: Mobile first responders excelled at the recent World Police and Fire Games in Birmingham, an Olympic-style event featuring over 60 sports with participants from 70+ countries. Mobile Police Officer Defferey Hollis won gold in the challenge ride and bronze in the slow ride, while Officer Josh Hart earned silver in the challenge ride, benefiting from local barricade-handling skills. Mobile Firefighter Collin Bryan placed fourth in the triathlon despite a broken foot sustained just weeks prior. The Games have been held biennially since 1985, uniting over 80,000 first responders worldwide. The team from Mobile aims for more victories at the next event in Perth, Australia.

At the World Police and Fire Games, first responders from all over the world competed in Olympic-style events. Several Mobile first responders represented the United States, bringing home medals.

Source

Continue Reading

Trending