Students seek a textbook tax break

College students are taking another jab at the rising costs of getting a degree, by backing a proposal to cut tax on textbooks.

The Coalition of Higher Education for Affordable Textbooks pitched the idea on Capitol Hill Wednesday, aiming to exempt sales tax on textbook sales. A formal bill, sponsored by Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, will go before lawmakers in the 2008 session.

"This represents a way to provide more affordable textbooks for students and provide better access to an education," said University of Utah student body president Spencer Pearson. The backing by students from across the state, he said, emphasizes the impact an exemption would have.

"Every little bit helps," he said. "Something like this only increases the affordability of higher education for everyone, especially at the smaller schools where textbooks sometimes cost as much as tuition."

The proposal is asking for a $4.7 million tax break, with $3.1 million coming from the state's general fund and another $1.6 million from local and county governments and other taxing entities in the state.

"This shouldn't be seen as a loss to the state but more of a reinvestment in higher education," said Amy Engh, student member of the state's board of regents. The money spent, in turn, directly impacts business and industry in the state, she said.

More than a dozen other states have been successful with the initiative, and this is the first time in Utah that students have joined in the cause to support the bill. The hope is that with money saved from increasing textbook costs — which could amount to about $90 a year per student — students could take additional courses each semester and finish a degree sooner than expected.

"Students in Utah spend around $900 annually on textbooks, which is a significant expense," said Kris Coles, student body president at Utah Valley State College. He said a large percentage of students even skip buying required and optional texts for courses just to save money.

"I know that I rely on course materials inside and outside of class in order to succeed," Coles said.

Books and supplies account for 26 percent of the total cost of attending a four-year public institution and 75 percent at two-year schools, according to a study by the U.S. Office of Accountability. Even with various programs that potentially lower the cost of textbooks, such as buy-back options, book rental and buying used books, students are still asked to pay too much, said Shane Girton, assistant director of the U.'s campus bookstore.

"The state passing this bill would be the single most effective contribution to this cause statewide," he said, adding that book prices are not very flexible and are largely set by publishing and distribution costs.

The proposal was first pitched at the Utah Student Association meeting in May. Since then, students have led the grass-roots movement to garner support from all nine public state institutions, as well as endorsements from student body presidents at Brigham Young University, LDS Business College and Westminster College.

"It's a step toward making education more affordable for everyone," Pearson said.

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