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ICYMI: Kansas Families Want Taxes Axed on Food, Diapers and Feminine Hygiene Products

Government and Politics

February 1, 2023

From: Kansas Governor Laura Kelly

KEY QUOTE: "Changing tax policies to support Kansas families is not a tax experiment, it’s one of the best investments we can make. Now is the time to make this investment. Let’s put politics aside and get to work to fully eliminate the sales tax on basic needs, once and for all."

Let’s zero out taxes on food, diapers and feminine hygiene supplies 

  • For Kansas families, every dollar—every opportunity for savings—counts, especially during times of high inflation. 
  • Last year, when our food sales tax was 6.5 percent, we saw the data points. Kansas had the third highest food sales tax in the country; an average Kansas family would save approximately $500 per year if our food sales tax went down to zero. 
  • The annual tax savings on food, diapers, and feminine hygiene products could mean a few extra carts of groceries a year. It means a family can buy new shoes for their kids. Or it could mean a family could work towards building up their savings 
  • These are basic necessities and Kansas insists that they be taxes at the normal sales tax rate. In fact, feminine hygiene products are currently considered a “luxury” item in our state. A mother shouldn’t have to choose between food and diapers or feminine hygiene products. We must do better for women and babies.