East Texans preparing for tax-free weekend for emergency supplies

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - We are entering severe weather season throughout the state, and Texans are preparing to stock up on all of their emergency supplies this weekend, during the annual sales tax holiday. Kevin Lyons, a spokesperson with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts says this holiday was passed by legislation in 2015. “They we’re smart enough to know that this time of year right in the middle of tornado season, hurricane season coming up, wildfires. The idea is to stock up now and so that way when severe weather hits no matter what part of the state, you’re in then you are already for that weather with those items,” Lyons said. The comptroller’s office estimates shoppers will save about $2.1 million in state and local sales taxes during the tax holiday. “75 dollars and under the items are like household batteries, fuel containers, flashlights. Items less than $300, hurricane shutters, emergency ladders, and of course the big item is any sort of portable generator less than $3,000,” Lyons said. Edwin Cornejo, store manager for Higginbotham Brothers in Tyler says they always see more customers during the holiday weekend. “We started ordering more and more each year just because everyone usually knows about the tax-free holiday and take advantage of it,” Cornejo said.