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Ohio Democrats Fight What They See as a Women's Fairness Issue on Two Fronts

Greta Johnson
THE OHIO CHANNEL

Two efforts are underway to make feminine-hygiene products tax free in Ohio. 

Democratic State Rep. Greta Johnson’s legislation would exempt tampons and sanitary pads from the list of taxable items in Ohio.

“This isn’t a feminist’s issue. This isn’t a woman’s issue. This is about being unfair. This is about economic parity.”

The bill has two Democratic sponsors, but likely isn’t going anywhere in the Republican-dominated Ohio House. But a lawsuit in the Ohio Court of Claims that could make tampons and pads tax free -- and require the state to repay $66 million in back taxes to women.

A spokesman for Gov. John Kasich says he cannot comment on that issue because it involves pending litigation.

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment. Jo started her career in Louisville, Kentucky in the mid 80’s when she helped produce a televised presidential debate for ABC News, worked for a creative services company and served as a general assignment report for a commercial radio station. In 1989, she returned back to her native Ohio to work at the WOSU Stations in Columbus where she began a long resume in public radio.