In Chattanooga, Tennessee, a significant study by Consumer Affairs reveals that Tennesseans allocate about 2% more of their monthly income on groceries compared to the national average. This grocery tax burden weighs heavily on many consumers. However, one local Tennessee lawmaker is taking steps to alleviate this issue by seeking to eliminate the state tax on the retail sales of food and food ingredients.

Impact on Local Businesses

Paul Del Carmen, the owner of Asian Foods & Gifts in Chattanooga since 1981, has witnessed the city's growth over the years. But along with growth came the challenge of inflation, especially in food prices. He believes that this new tax cut could be a big help to many families.For grocery store owners like Carmen, the proposed bill holds great promise. "With this tax saving money for the consumer, it definitely will help the mom and pop stores a lot," he says. It gives them a better chance to thrive in a competitive market.

Lawmaker's Proposal

Tennessee Representative Elaine Davis is dedicated to addressing the cost of food. She hopes to achieve "true grocery tax relief" by proposing a bill. She understands the impact of rising food prices on working families and is committed to helping them put food on the table.A similar law was proposed earlier this year but was rejected as representatives argued that state sales tax funds K-12 schools. However, the new bill addresses this concern. It will continue to use 0.5 percent of state tax revenue to support Tennessee education while eliminating the 4% state tax on retail sales of eligible food items.

Exclusions and Implications

The new bill specifically includes food items like eggs, bread, canned goods, produce, cereal, formula, spices, and condiments. But it does not cover food prepared by the seller, ready-to-eat meals, candy, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or dietary supplements.This distinction is important as it ensures that the tax relief is targeted at the essential food items that directly affect consumers' budgets. It also takes into account the different nature of these products and their impact on the market.While the proposed bill removes the retail grocery tax, counties and cities have the option to implement a sales tax on groceries if approved by their local legislative body. This gives local authorities some flexibility in managing their revenue sources.If passed by the General Assembly, the proposal is set to take effect on July 1st, 2025. This provides a clear timeline for businesses and consumers to prepare for the potential changes and benefits.

Washington, D.C. (Dec. 9, 2024) - In a significant transfer within the soccer realm, D.C. United has successfully acquired the services of goalkeeper Luis Barraza from New York City FC. This move comes with an exchange of $50,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM), and there's the potential for New York City FC to receive an additional $100,000 if Barraza meets specific performance metrics.

Bringing in a Talented Goalkeeper

Ally Mackay, D.C. United General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer, expressed his excitement about the acquisition. "Luis is a highly talented goalkeeper who has amassed valuable experience in the league over the past six seasons with New York City FC. His skills and presence will be a great addition to our team as we gear up for the 2025 season."

Barraza's Recent Season with New York City FC

During the 2024 season, Barraza was a key player for New York City FC. He made appearances in one MLS match and two Leagues Cup matches. In these three crucial contests, he showcased his exceptional goalkeeping abilities by recording an impressive 10 saves and achieving one clean sheet during regular time. His performance was particularly notable in the 2024 Leagues Cup when New York City FC emerged victorious with a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Querétaro FC. Additionally, he also played two matches for New York City FC II in the MLS Next Pro league, where he made six saves and secured one clean sheet.In the previous 2023 season, Barraza started a career-high 24 MLS matches for New York City FC. During this time, he demonstrated his reliability by recording 62 saves and achieving four clean sheets. His consistent performances played a significant role in the team's success.

Early Career and College Achievements

Barraza hails from Las Cruces, New Mexico. He began his soccer journey with the Real Salt Lake Arizona academy. Later, he spent four years playing collegiate soccer at Marquette University in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) from 2015 to 2018. During this period, he achieved remarkable feats. In 2018, he was honored with the Big East Conference Goalkeeper of the Year award and was named to the conference's All-First Team. In four seasons at Marquette University, he played in 53 matches (51 starts), recording an astonishing 247 saves and 10 clean sheets. He also gained valuable experience by playing with Lane United, FC Tucson, and Chicago FC United of the USL League Two during the college off-seasons.

Barraza's Professional Debut and Key Moments

The New Mexico native was selected 12th overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft by New York City FC. His professional debut for the club came a year later on Dec. 15, 2020, against Liga MX side Tigres UANL in the CONCACAF Champions League. The following season, on July 7, 2021, he made his MLS debut, starting in goal for New York City FC against CF Montréal. In 2021, he started five matches, recording two clean sheets and achieving three wins, which contributed to New York City's victory in the 2021 MLS Cup. In 2022, he further added to his achievements by winning the Campeones Cup for New York City FC in a 2-0 victory over Liga MX side Atlas Guadalajara. Over six seasons with New York City FC, he has appeared in 38 matches across all competitions, keeping nine clean sheets.Luis Barraza, with his impressive background and skills, is set to make a significant impact on D.C. United as they look to strengthen their goalkeeping depth and compete at a higher level in the upcoming seasons.