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submitted 1 year ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world

Shoppers in Texas no longer have to pay a sales tax on menstrual products, making the state one of the few in the nation to eliminate the so-called "tampon tax."

A new law that went into effect Friday eliminates the sales tax on feminine hygiene products including items like tampons, menstrual pads and menstrual cups.

In addition to menstrual products, the law, S.B. 379, also eliminates the sales tax on family care items including diapers, baby bottles, baby wipes, maternity clothing and breast milk pump products.

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[-] odium@programming.dev 77 points 1 year ago

Color me surprised, was not expecting this from Texas.

[-] CameronDev@programming.dev 60 points 1 year ago

Bizarrely, they have accidentally implemented an actual pro life policy

[-] Kerred@lemmy.world 24 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

According to the links, the law was sponsored by Donna Howard (Dem) and Angie Button (Rep). Said 13 yays and 4 abstained from the financial committee.

Hopefully women constituents from both sides encouraged their reps to push forward.

[-] tdawg@lemmy.world 55 points 1 year ago

Did... did Texas just do something right for once?

[-] CreativeShotgun@lemmy.world 21 points 1 year ago

During the same session they banned drag shows in such a vague way that a trans person playing guitar in a public place could be fined or even arrested for sexual performance. Also made it illegal to refuse to identify yourself to police

[-] SuiXi3D@kbin.social 16 points 1 year ago

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

[-] NightAuthor@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago

I’m guessing it’s for the wrong reasons. I imagine it’s a pro-procreation move.

[-] hroderic@lemmy.world 45 points 1 year ago

Likely trying to score some points with female voters after rolling back Roe v Wade

[-] BonesOfTheMoon@lemmy.world 38 points 1 year ago

I'm sure there's some Republican politician someplace in Texas saying that women have the ability to shut their periods down if they try, and they don't need socialist tampons.

[-] Rachelhazideas@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

God I want a socialist tampon inside me so bad. Socialism is so hot.

[-] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 36 points 1 year ago

This is great - but is the "tampon tax" just "normal sales tax"?

[-] revelrous@sopuli.xyz 28 points 1 year ago

Yep. But other medical products have been exempt the whole time.

[-] SheeEttin@lemmy.world 21 points 1 year ago
[-] girlfreddy@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

Yes. Problem is it only affects 50% of the population.

It would be fair(er) if it taxed Viagra at the same rate.

[-] UltraFiestaMango@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 year ago

lol why do idiots always say this? no one NEEDS to use viagra - ever. Can't get it up? deal with it. But half of the population NEEDS menstrual products, or there will be blood everywhere and that's a biohazard.

[-] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago

I get what you're saying and agree, but damn that's a "heavy flow" day.

Women dealt with this issue for thousands of years without it being a like a scene from Carrie.

[-] Schadrach@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 1 year ago

Or condoms, except in many states condoms actually are subject to sales tax like most other goods. Prescription drugs in general aren't subject to sales tax, which is why Viagra wasn't, same as birth control pills, insulin, blood thinners, etc.

[-] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

I don't understand how that is a "problem".

[-] Schadrach@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 1 year ago

Yeah, but it sounds more like a special imposition placed on women for being women if we talk about the "tampon tax" instead of arguing about whether or not there should be special cutouts on sales tax for products used primarily or exclusively by women.

[-] Natanael@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 year ago

There are places with "luxury taxes" on some of those items

[-] Schadrach@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 1 year ago

Usually only in places where that luxury tax rate is actually lower than the general sales tax. If you have a contrary example, I'm curious.

[-] glacier 17 points 1 year ago

Rare Texas W

[-] xylogx@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

This look to me like an advocacy group successfully advocating for common sense legislation:

“Advocates for menstrual equity who oppose a tax on menstrual products say the taboo around menstruation and the lack of access to menstrual products hurts women economically because it costs them money for products and may keep them from attending jobs and school. Poor menstrual hygiene poses health risks for women, including reproductive issues and urinary tract infections.”

this post was submitted on 02 Sep 2023
476 points (100.0% liked)

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