New York tampon tax to get the ax with governor set to sign

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York's Legislature has given its final approval to exempting tampons and other feminine hygiene products from state sales taxes.

A spokesman said Wednesday that Democratic 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.

Democratic Assembly member Linda Rosenthal says the bill isn't limited to those items and would also 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.