Georgia Lawmakers Advance Bipartisan Bill to Remove Sales Tax on Diapers, Formula and Menstrual Products

A bipartisan measure moving through the Georgia General Assembly would eliminate the state’s 4% sales tax on diapers, baby formula, and menstrual products, classifying them as essential goods rather than taxable items. Supporters say the change would ease financial pressure on families, noting that while groceries and prescription drugs are already exempt in Georgia, diaper and feminine hygiene products are not.

Advocates point to long-term costs, with estimates showing the average woman spends about $18,000 on period products over her lifetime — plus roughly $1,000 in taxes. Government assistance programs like SNAP and WIC do not cover diapers, and the Georgia Diaper Bank Coalition estimates ending the diaper tax could save families about $80 per child. Diaper banks statewide distribute more than 1.4 million diapers each year to families in need.

The effort is being led this session by Republican State Sen. Randy Robertson, who says the issue is about prioritizing families despite the potential loss of millions in state revenue. The bill must pass committee before heading to the Senate floor ahead of Crossover Day, and supporters say it has bipartisan backing. If approved, Georgia would join a growing number of states that have eliminated sales taxes on menstrual and baby care products.

More Chattooga County Grandparents Are Raising Grandchildren, Bringing Big Impacts for Families and the Community

In Chattooga County, the role of “grandparent” is increasingly becoming something much bigger than weekend visits and holiday gatherings. Current figures show that about 1 in every 70 people in Chattooga County is a grandparent who is caring for grandchildren, and the number of grandparents raising children has seen a 34% increase in recent years. The growing trend is reshaping family life across the county and creating new financial, social, and community needs.

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Thanksgiving Balancing Act: Cheaper Turkeys Offer Little Relief for Georgia Families Amidst Rising Grocery Costs

As Thanksgiving approaches, many Georgia households are bracing for a holiday meal that, while offering some relief on the centerpiece, continues to strain their budgets. Despite a welcome dip in wholesale turkey prices, the overall cost of putting together a traditional feast remains a significant balancing act for families across the state, squeezed by persistent inflation on many other grocery staples.

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