The Salt Lake City Council has set aside $20,000 in funding for a one-year pilot program that will soon make feminine hygiene products available for free at bathrooms in some city buildings.
The three women currently serving on the council — Amy Fowler, Ana Valdemoros and Erin Mendenhall — spearheaded the “menstrual equity” initiative together as part of the council’s 2019 budget package and say they hope it will help push state lawmakers to take action on the issue.
“We’ve been talking about we should start here at our own house and make these products free and then work forward towards getting rid of the tampon tax,” Fowler said at a recent budget hearing.