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Lawmakers Propose Meals Tax Holiday

BOSTON (AP) -- First a sales tax holiday, now a meals tax holiday?

Legislation filed on Beacon Hill would suspend for one week the state's 6.25 percent tax on food purchased at restaurants in Massachusetts.

The proposed dates for the meals tax holiday would be March 20 to March 26.

The bill was originally suggested by Dave Andelman, creator of the "Phanton Gourmet" television show.

Andelman said it would help a restaurant industry that has been hit hard by the recession, higher food costs and higher taxes.

The legislation would only apply to the state meals tax, and not a local-option tax of .75 percent that is added by many cities and towns.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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