Fall 2007
Committee:
President, Consultation Council, CCC Legislative Task Force, ASCCC Textbook Ad Hoc Committee Representatives
Whereas, According to the United States Government Accountability Office, over the past two decades higher education textbook costs have risen at twice the rate of inflation and now equal approximately 72% of the cost of tuition for community college students, and the financial burden of textbook purchases is amplified by the sales taxes levied on them by the State of California;
Whereas, Textbook purchases are currently tax exempt in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia, and legislation making textbook purchases tax-exempt has been introduced and is in various stages of passage in the legislatures of Georgia, Texas, and Virginia;
Whereas, A study conducted at the request of the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, a nonpartisan panel appointed by Congress to advise it on educational access issues, recommended legislative action to establish tax exempt status for textbook sales as a means to decrease financial barriers to higher education; and
Whereas, The Student Senate for California Community Colleges supports any efforts to reduce out-of-pocket expenses to students consistent with maintaining a high-quality educational environment, and believes tax-free textbooks should be a high priority legislative item;
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges 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 work with the California Community College System partners, other statewide student groups, and local associated student organizations, to make collaborative efforts to achieve the passage of such legislation.
Whereas, Textbook purchases are currently tax exempt in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia, and legislation making textbook purchases tax-exempt has been introduced and is in various stages of passage in the legislatures of Georgia, Texas, and Virginia;
Whereas, A study conducted at the request of the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, a nonpartisan panel appointed by Congress to advise it on educational access issues, recommended legislative action to establish tax exempt status for textbook sales as a means to decrease financial barriers to higher education; and
Whereas, The Student Senate for California Community Colleges supports any efforts to reduce out-of-pocket expenses to students consistent with maintaining a high-quality educational environment, and believes tax-free textbooks should be a high priority legislative item;
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges 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 work with the California Community College System partners, other statewide student groups, and local associated student organizations, to make collaborative efforts to achieve the passage of such legislation.