A debate looms in the Alabama House this week over proposed legislation that would remove the state’s 4 percent sales tax from food.

Returning from spring break, lawmakers take up the controversial food tax bill Tuesday as the first order of business.

Members will debate replacing the lost sales tax revenue by disallowing the deduction of federal income tax from state income tax.

The vote likely will be close and probably will break along party lines with most Republicans, who say it is a tax increase on their constituents, voting against it.

Supporters of the bill have said removing the sales tax would help all Alabamians, especially those with little or no income.