GROCERY GROUPS LOBBY AGAINST ESTATE TAX

JOANNA RAMEY

WASHINGTON (FNS) -- Supermarket retailers and wholesalers last week launched a new coalition here to push the cause of eliminating the estate tax.

The group's eight founding members include the Food Marketing Institute, Food Distributors International and the Grocery Manufacturers of America.

The new coalition, Americans Against Unfair Family Taxation, is supporting the Dunn-Tanner measure before Congress. This legislation would phase out the tax by reducing rates by 5% a year; it is sponsored by Reps. Jennifer Dunn (R-Wash.) and John Tanner (D-Tenn.).

"This is an antiquated, unjust tax that only serves to destroy the lives of countless hardworking Americans," said Tim Hammonds, FMI president and chief executive and co-chairman of the coalition, in comments at a news conference announcing the creation of the group."All Americans are hurt when prosperity and free enterprise, the very cornerstones of our nation, are crippled by our own tax system."

Several supermarket executives also testified on the issue last week before the House Ways and Means Committee.