COLUMBUS – Lawmakers from both parties are supporting a bill that would eliminate the $4 million yearly sales tax on feminine hygiene products in Ohio.
They say the tax – known as the “pink tax” or the “tampon tax” — disproportionately affects women who already face economic hurdles given Ohio’s gender-based wage gap.
“Continuing to nickel-and-dime women adds up,” said co-sponsor Brigid Kelly (D-Columbus).
She says charging a tax on products that women must buy, wand for which there are no comparable products for men, means women have less money to spend on things like car repairs, medical costs and childcare.
Most of the bill’s secondary sponsors are Democrats but Republican Niraj Antani of Miamisburg voiced his support as well.
“I believe we need to cut the taxes on these products to help women and single mothers across Ohio,” Antani said. “Women are unfairly hit with these taxes on these necessary products and as a fiscal conservative I believe we should repeal the taxes on them.”
The average woman has her menstrual period for multiple days every month over the course of 30 or 40 years and will spend over $11,000 on tampons during her lifetime, Kelly and co-sponsor Greta Johnson (D-Akron), and their burden would grow if the General Assembly increases the state sales tax from 5.75 percent to 6.25 percent as requested by Gov. John Kasich in his latest budget proposal.
Twelve states, including Pennsylvania and Illinois, do not tax feminine hygiene products, nor do Canada or Australia, Johnson said.