Although a woman is estimated to go through 16,000 tampons in their lifetime, the state of Washington deems feminine hygiene products as luxury items, which are taxed according to Period Equity.
Washington is among 33 states who still tax pads, tampons, etc., but products like Viagra, sugary breakfast cereal and hair conditioner are exempt from this sales tax. Three House Bills await approval from the committee currently. The most recent House Bill 5147 said taxing feminine hygiene products unjustly adds an additional tax burden on females that creates a tax gap between genders. Eric Campbell, a Senate Republican Caucus spokesman, said the primary sponsor, Senator Lynda Wilson first introduced a similar bill for the 2017-18 term, but it failed to pass. “Senator Wilson isn’t letting go of the idea by any means but thinks it makes more sense to wait until 2021 and try again when a new 2-year budget is being put together,” said Campbell. Campbell said even though the Bill is eligible to run again, passing this Bill in 2020 would make the majority party in the Legislature figure out how to offset 4.5 million revenue dollars. New York Rep. Grace Meng has been the primary sponsor for the Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2019, which wants to increase the availability and affordability of feminine hygiene products to those with limited access. The Act still awaits approval from being first introduced in March of 2019 to the House of Representatives. Washington Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, a supporter of the Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2019, said DelBene was the Director of Washington State Department of Revenue before elected on congress. She said the tax money from feminine hygiene products goes to . . . Multiple period activist organizations including Tax Free. Period., Period Equity, and LOLA joined forces to eliminate the so called, pink tax, in all 50 states by 2020. Ohio State Rep. Brigid Kelly, a co-sponsor of the House Bill 19 that worked to exempt the sales tax of feminine hygiene products for the past four attempts, passed in November. “[The bill] passed out of the House last General Assembly but didn’t have time to make it through the Senate so we were really glad that this is something that both Houses could support, assuming it’s going to be really good for the people who live in the state of Ohio,” said Rep. Kelly. Rep. Kelly said the bill passed thanks to the 40 other representatives that co-sponsored the bill and the bipartisan coalition of folks that showed broad support for access of feminine hygiene products. To pass a similar bill in Washington State, Rep. Kelly said bipartisan coalition support is essential. She said Ohio State University’s Period Chapter members were an important part of the process. Ameer Abdule, former OSU Period chapter vice president, said making it clear to both Democrats and Republicans that this wasn’t just a women’s issue but a human rights issue. Abdule said too many men have high legislative positions. He said he believes it’s important to have women representatives to show people who don’t menstruate, the issues surrounding it. “I think having the representation is key and unfortunately, there hasn’t been enough of it, but thankfully that’s changing,” said Abdule. Abdule said he strongly believes that every state is going to pass this bill, it’s just a matter of time. He said he believes each state will pass a similar bill within the next five years no matter the state’s excuses of funding. According to the fiscal note, Ohio estimates a revenue loss up to 4 million dollars in the 2020 fiscal year and beyond. Rep. Kelly said with Ohio’s state budget of almost 70 billion dollars, they will find a way to make up for that loss in revenue easily. With Washington's state budget of about 120 million dollars, Rep. Kelly said each state has different considerations to look at but, “if you value making sure people who menstruate are able to go to work and school and participate in their communities then this is a good common-sense solution to that problem.” Anne Wheatley, a Washington state certified nurse midwife and advanced registered nurse practitioner said taxing feminine hygiene products is, “crazy pants.” “The fact that we have to fight to get [the tax] to go away, that’s old religious beliefs and stupid male thinking,” said Wheatley. Wheatley said if Washington continues to tax, the revenue should go toward education of reproduction and menstruation in schools. Sources: Congresswoman Suzan Delbene Senator Darnielle Ameer Abdul (614) 569-9436 Ohio State Rep. Brigid Kelly (513) 884-9149 Anne Wheatley 253.310.8005
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