OLYMPIA… Sen. Lynda Wilson’s bill to end the tax on menstrual products received the governor’s signature today, surviving a round of last-minute vetoes brought on by state government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“This tax reduction will save women in Washington more than 3 million dollars per year,” said Wilson, R-Vancouver. “That’s a noticeable amount of money when government is suddenly looking to scale back spending, but I’m glad it wasn’t vetoed – especially for women who are being hurt economically by the COVID-19 measures in our state and are trying to save every dime.”

The tax savings enabled by Senate Bill 5147, which passed unanimously in the Senate and 95-2 in the House of Representatives, is the largest approved by the Legislature this year.

Wilson introduced the idea in 2016, while still serving in the House, and brought it with her after becoming a senator the following year. Washington is now the 18th state to end the tax on menstrual products.

“Five years is a long time to work on a bill, but I’ve always viewed these as medically necessary items, and this tax has been particularly unfair to women who are low-income or experiencing homelessness. I’m glad we will be rid of it.”