Clagett pushes to get rid of bottled water tax

Del. Virginia Clagett wants to make bottled water free of any state sales tax.

Yes, that's right. Water is taxed at 5 percent.

"When I mention to people water is taxed, they're actually pretty incredulous," Mrs. Clagett, D-West River, told the House Ways and Means Committee at a public hearing Wednesday.

But this isn't just a fairness issue for her. She talked about the finite supply of water in the state, groundwater contamination, people having to drink bad well water - even childhood obesity. In short, a tax break on water sold in one-gallon jugs or larger would make for a healthier state.

"Bottled water is...