(AUSTIN) — Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, reminded constituents today (Thursday) that the state's annual sales tax holiday will take place Friday-Sunday (Aug. 5-7). The holiday provides Texas families with much needed savings, and shoppers could save $8 for every $100 they spend on back-to-school items.

"Ensuring children have the clothes and supplies they need for school can have a significant impact on family budgets," said Senator Zaffirini, who co-authored the legislation creating the sales tax holiday in 1999 and voted to expand it in 2007. "I am pleased that this weekend offers families the opportunity to enjoy savings on important items."

As in previous years, most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced less than $100 from are exempted from sales and use taxes during the holiday.

A complete list of items that will be tax exempt is available at http://comptroller.texas.gov/taxinfo/taxpubs/taxholiday/d/.

With consumer confidence rising, the sales tax holiday is expected to save Texas shoppers $92 million this year.

SENATOR JUDITH ZAFFIRINI, D-LAREDO, voted in 2007 to expand the sales tax holiday to cover additional items, including backpacks that cost less than $100.

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