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Bill Ending Tampon Tax Advances In California Assembly

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California lawmakers on Wednesday joined a growing number of legislators in other states showing support for repealing so-called "tampon taxes" on feminine hygiene products.

A California Senate committee approved AB1561 with a 5-0 vote, sending it to the appropriations committee for further consideration.

Supporters of the bill say tampons and sanitary pads are necessities for women and should not be subject to state taxation.

Five other states have already enacted laws ending such taxes. Two other state measures that were passed this year in New York and Illinois await signatures from governors.

Connecticut exempted the products in its most recent budget bill, which takes effect in 2018. Similar bills are pending in Michigan, Ohio and Washington, D.C.

The co-author of the California bill, Republican Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang of Diamond Bar, called the tax unjust.

"If you think about a sales tax, it's a tax on luxury items," Chang said. "This is not a luxury item. You cannot go without this item."

The bill's authors estimate that California women spend an average of $7 a year to cover sales tax on feminine hygiene products.

The movement challenging the financial burden of menstruation gained ground Tuesday in New York City, where lawmakers voted to require free tampons and sanitary pads in city public schools, homeless shelters and jails. It would be the first law of its kind if Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio signs it. A similar proposal in the Wisconsin state Legislature has stalled.

In California, Sen. John Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa, said he was supportive but also concerned about the effect of removing the sales tax on local jurisdictions that rely on it for revenue. He abstained from voting on the bill.

In response, Sen. Robert Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, acknowledged the need for a comprehensive discussion on the state's tax policies. Still, he supported the bill, saying feminine hygiene products are a necessity just like food and medicine.

Democratic Sen. Fran Pavley of Agoura Hills raised her hand with a tongue-in-cheek question: Would the bill include state tax refunds for previous years?

"We should consider that," Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, D-Bell Gardens, its co-author, replied, laughing.

 

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.

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