Students still lobbying for tax-free books

On April 11, college students from all across Texas found their way to Austin to try and sway legislators to make textbooks tax-free. They tried to remind lawmakers what it is like to be a college student by giving them Ramen Noodles.

The leader of campaign is Zack Hall, a University of Texas sophomore and student government leader who is chairman of the Tax-Free Textbook campaign.

According to recent studies, $600-$900 a year is what the average student pays for textbooks. The students are supporting a bill, House Bill 54, authored by state Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs, and Senate Bill 49, filed by State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, chair of the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee. Rose’s bill would allow for two 10-day tax-free periods for purchasing textbooks at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.

The fallback is that Texas would lose millions of dollars a year if this bill is passed. But studies show that students would use that extra money saved on food or other necessities anyway, meaning the taxes would still be covered.

There are already 18 states that exempt sales tax from textbooks. Texas is among 23 other states considering this move, according to the National Association of College Stores.

Hall and the rest of the UT student legislator have until January of next year to collect signatures to support the proposed law.