Fall 2013
Committee:
Legislative and External Policy Committee
Whereas, according to the United States Government Accountability Office, in the past two decades, college textbook prices have been increasing at twice the rate of inflation, at an average of 6% per year and now equal or even exceeding the cost of tuition fees of community colleges;
Whereas, textbook purchases are currently tax exempt in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and there is no sales tax levied in Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon;
Whereas, the mission of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges is to pursue policies that will improve student access, promote student success, engage and empower local student leaders, and enrich the collegiate experience for all California community college students and;
Whereas, the Student Senate for California Community Colleges in fall of 2007 passed a resolution 4.01 seeking reduction of textbook prices through exemption of taxes;
Resolved, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges acts on resolution approved in Fall of 2007 to support legislative efforts to amend California Code, allowing for the exemption of sales tax on textbooks purchased by college students and;
Resolved, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges directs its leadership to engage with the State of California in support for legislation AB 479 (2013) Sales and use taxes: exemptions: textbooks that allows college textbooks to be exempted from state tax laws and;
Resolved, the Student Senate for California Community Colleges supports tax exemption for college student purchase of textbooks as a legitimate and necessary form of state financial relief;
Resolved, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges ensures that the above statements are administered through a formal written statement providing facts and information to all California Community Colleges.
Whereas, textbook purchases are currently tax exempt in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and there is no sales tax levied in Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon;
Whereas, the mission of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges is to pursue policies that will improve student access, promote student success, engage and empower local student leaders, and enrich the collegiate experience for all California community college students and;
Whereas, the Student Senate for California Community Colleges in fall of 2007 passed a resolution 4.01 seeking reduction of textbook prices through exemption of taxes;
Resolved, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges acts on resolution approved in Fall of 2007 to support legislative efforts to amend California Code, allowing for the exemption of sales tax on textbooks purchased by college students and;
Resolved, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges directs its leadership to engage with the State of California in support for legislation AB 479 (2013) Sales and use taxes: exemptions: textbooks that allows college textbooks to be exempted from state tax laws and;
Resolved, the Student Senate for California Community Colleges supports tax exemption for college student purchase of textbooks as a legitimate and necessary form of state financial relief;
Resolved, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges ensures that the above statements are administered through a formal written statement providing facts and information to all California Community Colleges.