New York set to eliminate tampon tax

ALBANY, N.Y. – New York’s Legislature has given its final approval to exempting tampons and other feminine hygiene products from state sales taxes.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he’ll sign it into law. It will take effect in the subsequent sales tax quarter.

It exempts tampons, sanitary napkins and panty liners from the 4 percent state sales tax and local taxes that generally are about 5 percent.

Democratic Assembly member Linda Rosenthal says the bill isn’t limited to those items and would exempt future menstrual products.

She says it’s a sexist tax and notes that other medical necessities like bandages, medicine and even condoms are exempt.

New York has more than 10 million women of child-bearing age.

Republican Sen. Sue Serino says repeal of the out-of-touch tax has been decades in the making.