NY lawmakers weigh in on 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.

A spokesman says Gov. Andrew Cuomo will 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.

Assembly member Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat and sponsor, says the bill isn't limited to those items and would also exempt future menstrual products.

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

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

Sen. Sue Serino, a Hudson Valley Republican and sponsor, says repeal of the out-of-touch tax has been decades in the making.