Sales Tax Holiday Benefits Families and Children Preparing for the School Year

Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue today met and assisted shoppers on the first day of Georgia's 2003 Sales Tax Holiday at the Gateway computer store in Morrow, Georgia. In recognition of the tax-free holiday, Governor Perdue joined Gateway Computers in donating a complete computer system to a local Clayton County foster family. The tax-free holiday will provide a tax break on computers and computer accessories, clothing, and school supplies.

"As parents prepare their children for the upcoming school year, this tax-free holiday will provide families a deserved tax break on many necessities that help our kids learn and perform well in the classroom," said Governor Sonny Perdue.

The purpose of the tax-free holiday is to stimulate sales and lessen the financial impact on parents getting their children ready to return to school. This year, Georgians will have the opportunity to purchase more tax-free items as authorized in legislation signed by Governor Perdue on June 4, 2003. The Holiday will continue through midnight Sunday, August 3, 2003.

Gateway was founded in 1985 and quickly grew into a Fortune 500 company that now ships approximately 10,000 computer systems daily. The Morrow Gateway store opened in February 1998. In anticipation of the busy tax-free weekend, Gateway has temporarily re-located extra sales personnel to the Morrow store from as far away as Pennsylvania and California.

On Saturday, August 2, 2003, Governor Perdue will join shoppers at the Staples Office Superstore located in Atlanta at 3535 Peachtree Street from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.