Women in Tennessee would have to pay less money for feminine hygiene products if a bill sponsored by two Democrats wins approval.
Introduced by Rep. Sherry Jones, D-Nashville, and Sen. Sara Kyle, D-Memphis, the bill would reduce the state’s sales tax on tampons, diapers and over-the-counter drugs. Both lawmakers previously sponsored legislation that would have required men to go through additional hurdles to obtain erectile dysfunction pills.
Prescription drugs are exempt from sales tax.
The products covered in the bill currently have a 7 percent state sales tax but that would be reduced to 5 percent, which equals the amount charged for groceries. The bill does not address local sales taxes, which range as high as 2.75 percent.
In a news release issued last week, Kyle and Jones said the bill aims to cut the state’s “tampon tax.”
“We shouldn’t tax a woman for having a menstrual cycle,” Kyle said Monday.
She said feminine hygiene products can be a significant expense, especially considering the wage gap between men and women. (continue reading at Tennessean)