MILWAUKEE -- Taxing tampons.
It's an issue making waves this week on social media. Some people want to know why feminine hygiene products are subject to the same sales tax as luxury items.
TODAY'S TMJ4 found most shoppers didn't even know they were paying for it. Wisconsin is one of 40 states with a tax on femine hygene products. At least one state lawmaker says changes could be coming.
Five states already consider feminine hygiene products tax-exempt. That's Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennyslvania and New Jersey.
Others make exceptions for items of necessity, like groceries, prescriptions and agriculture supplies. So the question is, are tampons a luxury item or not?
"I would not consider it a luxury item. I don't think anybody would consider it a luxury item. I think it's more of a necessity than it is a luxury item," said Brookfield resident Katie Gerstmeier.
There's no debate yet in the Wisconsin Assembly on this issue, but we could see something later this year.
"Unfortunately, it's gonna be too late to probably get something moving for this legislative session, but I'm more than happy to take it up next session," said State Rep. Christine Sinicki (D) Milwaukee.
But could it pass?
"With the abundance of men doing the voting it's hit or miss but yes, I would be for trying," said Menomonee Falls resident Vicki Vondrak.
Some men TODAY'S TMJ4 met think the taxes should continue, as is.
"Everybody's the same, right? I think that everybody should pay taxes," said Milwaukee resident Willy Stegall.
"I'm a Vietnam vet and I just think you know, paying taxes helps everybody. The pennies goes in every way, so everybody should pay taxes," said Milwaukee resident. Ralph Perdue.
President Obama's taken some tough questions in office, but none with this kind of flow.
"I gotta tell ya, I have no idea why states would tax these as luxury items. I suspect it's cause men were making the laws," Obama said recently.
