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Andrew burleson - The Battalion. Source: Sam Lane, Director of UT Student Government. Source: Sam Webb, SGA Student Advocate for Legislative Affairs

SGA supports new proposal for tax-free textbooks

By: Denton Fromme

Posted: 7/20/05

Texas A&M students may be allowed to purchase their textbooks tax-free in the future as a result of a joint effort between college students in Texas and legislators.

State Rep. Patrick Rose said he has introduced House Bill 54, which includes a provision for tax-free textbooks, and that it is currently awaiting a hearing date.

"We're trying to get more savings for our college students around the state with tuition and fees going up," Rose said.

The bill would create two tax-free weekends a year for the purchase of textbooks: one at the start of the fall semester, and one before the spring semester, said Sam Lane, external legislative director of the University of Texas at Austin's Student Government.

"The issue has probably come up the last four or five sessions," he said. "But we've only been able to really push for it now."

Rose said the Legislature is currently in special session and House Bill 54 is not yet on the agenda.

"If we don't get it done this special session, we will champion it in the next session," Rose said.

Rose said ultimately the bill cannot be passed unless it gets on the floor of the Legislature and that students should contact their legislators to show their interest.

Texas A&M Student Body President Jim Carlson said A&M will definitely be involved in the effort.

"Over the years we've done a lot of research on this and provided a lot of input," he said. "We're going to continue to try to get as many students to contact the legislators as possible to inform them about the need to pass this bill."

Carlson said some of the research has included working with bookstores to see how they would be affected, as well as how the Bryan-College Station economy would be affected by cutting taxes on textbooks.

Sam Webb, an SGA student advocate for legislative affairs, said A&M has let Rose know about the need for this bill.

"We've been in contact with Rep. Rose and we've let him know that students at Texas A&M are interested in tax-free textbooks," he said.

Webb said similar bills have failed in past legislative sessions and the key to getting House Bill 54 passed is for students to voice their opinions.

"The University of Texas and myself have been in contact many times about this issue, and we've come to the conclusion that we really have to push hard for these bills," Web said. "We would love for all students to contact their legislators from their home districts to let them know they want tax-free textbooks. The only way it's going to happen is for students to really make a push."