Ellington

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Restaurants and package stores that sell alcohol in Mississippi could get a tax break, if the governor agrees.

The House on Wednesday sent Senate Bill 2207 to Republican Gov. Phil Bryant. It proposes wiping out a $225 tax on every purchase of alcohol over $5,000 from the state alcohol warehouse in Madison.

Bryant spokeswoman Nicole Webb says he will review the bill before either signing or vetoing it.

Rep. Hank Zuber, an Ocean Springs Republican, says the bill would reduce tax collections by $1.75 million a year.

Zuber says Mississippi's restaurants haven't recovered well from the recession and the tax break would allow them to hire more workers and invest more in equipment.

The accompanying $225 tax that local governments collect would remain in place.