Representative Erin Healy

South Dakota State House of Representatives - District 10

[Representative Erin Healy @RepErinHealy]

We are thrilled to officially announce that we are running for re-election in 2024!

Your SD District 10 Legislative team: @RepErinHealy, Rep. @kameronnelson and Sen. @LizLars02133825

[Representative Erin Healy @RepErinHealy]

Love this! Go LHS Lady Pats!!

[Lincoln Patriot Golf @SFLHSPatsGolf]

What do you do when you get a weather delay in Pierre? Why visit the Capital of course! Maybe some future Representatives or Senators or even Governors! Saw former Patriot golfer @RepErinHealy desk! #PatriotProud

[Reynold Nesiba @ReynoldNesiba]

Postpartum Medicaid expansion is the first step to maternal health equity—⁦⁦@RepErinHealy⁩ and I each had bills to do this in SD this session. We are glad the Governor decided to apply for a waiver on her own. It’s the right thing to do. https://t.co/aXSMfffUnr

[Makenzie Huber @MakenzieHuber]

Female legislators in the House of Representatives posed for a photo to celebrate #InternationalWomensDay #sdleg

2023 has a record-setting number of women in the Legislature this year

[Representative Erin Healy @RepErinHealy]

“For those who voted against, we ask you to look within and try to find your souls.”

[Representative Erin Healy @RepErinHealy]

Back in 1921--a bill to appropriate $ for hog houses, poultry houses, barns, etc was drastically changed to appropriate $ for legislators' living expenses.

[Jackie Hendry @JackieHendrySD]

Who can tell me the origin of the term "hoghouse" for amendments that rewrite a bill in the SD statehouse? #sdleg I'm tired of not knowing.

[Annie Todd @AnnieTodd96]

23 states exempt period products from sales tax. South Dakota continues to tax our period products. 🧵/end

[Annie Todd @AnnieTodd96]

"I'm very disappointed that one didn't support my motion because you still had the opportunity to vote no. But you must understand that this is a tax that is not necessary and your pay that tax by having people in your household that are female," Duba said.

[Annie Todd @AnnieTodd96]

Rep. Linda Duba made the motion to pass the tax but it wasn't seconded. Instead, the bill was killed 8-1 by a motion from Rep. John Mills.

[Annie Todd @AnnieTodd96]

Opponents, such as the SD Retailers Association, said toilet paper and toothpaste were taxed. "There's a whole variety of things that we as humans use on a regular basis that are subject to sales tax in South Dakota," they said.

[Annie Todd @AnnieTodd96]

Meanwhile, a 12 oz. can of formula cost $17. So if you're a mom choosing between period products and formula and the budget is tight, you have to make a choice.

[Annie Todd @AnnieTodd96]

So say you need the big box of tampons and the big box of pads because that at least will get you through 3 cycles. That's $20, not including tax.

[Annie Todd @AnnieTodd96]

And because I'm a journalist whose done her duty, I went to Walmart last week to check out prices on period products. A box of 45 tampons and a box of 46 pads each cost $9.39. A box of 16 pads costs $3.92.

[Annie Todd @AnnieTodd96]

Others have talked about that in homeless shelters, period products are always in demand. One source told me last year when they opened a mutual aid pantry, the first things to go were pads and razors.

[Annie Todd @AnnieTodd96]

"I can personally testify to the horrific outcomes and damage that the lack of feminine hygiene products cause for our children, or teens, and our women from a physical standpoint," the Presentation Sisters lobbyist said.

[Annie Todd @AnnieTodd96]

More specifically those who cannot afford period products are the ones hurt by the tax, according to other proponents. The Presentation Sisters of Aberdeen spoke to the shame and humiliation girls and women feel when they can't access period products.

[Annie Todd @AnnieTodd96]

Healy explained that the revenue period products bring the state is between $1 million and $3.6 million. The bill would recognize that the tax isn't fair and is based on gender.

[Annie Todd @AnnieTodd96]

Viagra and insulin are considered medical products and aren't taxed, one proponent said.

[Annie Todd @AnnieTodd96]

Periods impact 50% of the population. Menstruation is a normal medical occurrence that happens every 21-28 days. Feminine hygiene products are a necessary part of menstruation and should be considered medical supplies, Healy said.

[Annie Todd @AnnieTodd96]

Folks, let's talk about periods. Especially after HB 1159, brought by @RepErinHealy was killed today by the House Appropriations Committee. The point of the bill was to exempt period products from taxation. @sdduba, the only woman on the committee, was the lone no vote. 🧵