Senator Jack M. Martins has announced that a state sales tax exemption has been reinstated from April 1, 2011 until March 31, 2012. The state sales tax rate is 4 percent. The exemption applies to sales of clothing and footwear costing less than $55 per item or pair.

The exemption will be extended to purchases of less than $110 for those items next year.

“This will be an enormous boost for our local retailers,” said Senator Martins. “It will hopefully spur economic growth. At the same time, it gives our consumers a break when they go shopping for clothing or shoes. Every little bit helps.”