Harmons Allowing Tax Referendum Signatures At Its Stores

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The effort to overturn a new tax system with a referendum on the ballot got a big boost after Harmons Grocery allowed signatures to be collected at its stores.

Head into any Harmons 19 grocery stores in Utah and you’ll hear the same sounds and see the same signs as you normally do. Starting Saturday, though, there was a new sign getting a lot of attention.

Harmons stores have joined the effort to gather enough signatures to put the Utah state legislators new tax plan to a public referendum.

Roughly 115,000 verified petition signatures are needed to put the issue on the ballot and into voters’ hands.

The new system approved by legislatures would increase the food tax from 1.75 percent to 4.85 percent. KSL spoke to several people at the downtown Harmons location Saturday, who said the increase was just too much.

There were volunteers with desks and signs set up at entrances to each store for people to sign up.

Beginning today, @HarmonsGrocery is allowing tax referendum signatures to be collected at their stores. It’s against the wishes of many in the legislature, but Harmons says it has to stand up for what it feels is right. We’re doing a story on this for @KSL5TV. #ksltv pic.twitter.com/auCmZZ5FTY

— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) January 11, 2020

“I think it’s awesome. I think it’s fantastic,” said Maren Green, one of many volunteers collecting verified signatures.

The fact a grocery store chain is allowing signatures says far more about the worry over the increase on food taxes.

“It’s part of the check and balances,” said Green. “Every once in a while, it’s necessary to have a referendum and quite a few people feel it’s necessary now.”

One of those who signed at the Harmons downtown location was Bob Harmon, the man in charge of Harmons stores.

“I very much believe in this,” said Harmon. “I have a sincere appreciation for legislators and the governor, and I think they do good work – but I think on this issue, it’s one that we just need to weigh in on. I think they can do better.”

Harmon said he knows it can be tricky for a business to get politically involved, but he feels letting the public decide is the right thing to do when it comes to an increase on food taxes.

“I just think that it’s going to put undue burden on those who are already struggling in trying to make ends meet,” said Harmon.

It can be tricky for a business to get politically involved. However, Bob Harmon, of @HarmonsGrocery, feels allowing a citizens group to use his stores to collect signatures for a referendum against the new tax plan, particularly the food tax increase, is the right thing to do. pic.twitter.com/DWJ5ydgdH3

— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) January 11, 2020

Allowing signatures at the stores has gone against the wishes of many in the legislature. Even the governor criticized Harmons for joining the citizen campaign trying to defeat the new tax laws.

“Our new formula here provides relief for (those people who make) $75,000 and lower,” said Governor Gary Herbert. “All that excess money is being generated – about $250 million – is being re-directed back in to help the poor people.”

Herbert said many programs will be funded by the additional tax revenue to help those with financial concerns.

Overall, the governor said 85 percent of Utah residents will be better off with the new tax system.

Of course, many disagree, which is why they feel a referendum is necessary to let voters decide.

“I think taxes on food are wrong,” said Jack Dalcourt, who came to the downtown Harmons just to sign the referendum. “For me, it’s not going to make a bit of difference whether I eat or not, but for some people it’s going to make a difference.”