Back to school shopping is in full swing for families statewide.   But this marks a second-straight year shoppers are not getting a bonus at the register.
 
In recent years, consumers on the last weekend in July could buy many clothing items, school supplies, and computers free of Georgia sales tax.  But state lawmakers pulled the plug on the holiday last year due to the budget deficit. 
 
Legislators said the state could not afford to lose at least $12 million in tax revenue. 
 
But retailers say it’s time to bring the tax holiday back. 

Rick McAllister with the Georgia Retail Association says many shoppers living near Georgia’s neighbors are taking their wallets across the border.
 
“We do track those numbers and we that consumer flight to where these tax-free periods are.  So it does have an impact and cost Georgia retailers substantial money during that period of time.”
 
McAllister says the Association is planning a full-scale push of lawmakers during next year’s session to return the tax holiday,