In D.C., Skittles and Snickers bars are "neccesities" the government does not tax, but tampons and diapers are not.
Like legislators in a growing number of states across the country, D.C. Council Member-at-Large Anita Bonds believes feminine hygiene products and diapers should be tax-free.
“Women should not be taxed because they are women, nor should babies be taxed for being babies,” Bonds said in a statement posted to her Facebook page. “This legislation will especially help low- to moderate-income mothers manage these costly expenses.”
Bonds and six fellow Council members were set to introduce on Tuesday a bill that would eliminate the 5.75 percent sales tax on feminine hygiene products and diapers.
In D.C., many products such as food, candy, bottled water, wheelchairs, crutches and even Viagra are not taxed.
Five states, including Maryland, already have abolished the "tampon tax," and seven states have eliminated the diaper tax.
This movement began early this year, when California Assembly Members Cristina Garcia and Ling Ling Chang introduced legislation to stop the tampon tax.
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"Basically we are taxed for being women," Garcia said in a press release. "This is a step in the right direction to fix this gender injustice."
In D.C., the Feminine Hygiene and Diapers Sales Tax Exemption Amendment Act of 2016 was set to be co-introduced by Council members Yvette Alexander, Charles Allen, Mary Cheh, Brianne Nadeau, Vincent Orange and Elissa Silverman.
