End the tampon tax

I am concerned by how Washington taxes women, specifically feminine hygiene products (FHP).

Stop taxing our periods. Other states like Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have eliminated this unfair tax. A bill before the California Legislature will eliminate the tax there.

This tax contributes to income disparities, especially when considering low-income households with multiple women in the home. Individuals who have to purchase FHP must also consider the systematic challenge of paying for FHPs combined with other basic living essentials such as housing, utilities, food and healthcare.

This tax also creates an unfair gender bias that most would view as a gender injustice. It is estimated that a women will spend upwards of $70 a year on FHP. These are necessities, not options or a luxury. Viagra is not taxed. In most states candy is not even taxed. Women have no choice but to buy these products, so the economic effect is felt only by women, and woman of color are particularly hard hit by this tax.

I urge your readers to contact their Washington legislators and seek to end the tampon tax on feminine hygiene products.

Yolanda Pfaff

Deer Park