
The Senate passed the measure Monday in a 14-12 vote, with an amendment to exempt certain processed foods. The amended bill now goes back to the House of Representatives, which narrowly approved the sales-tax hike last week. Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla and lawmakers from his ruling Popular Democratic Party agreed on a framework for the tax boost May 14. The bill would raise the levy to 11.5 percent from 7 percent through March, after which it would transition into a value-added tax.
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