Governor Scott Wants To Stop Taxing College Textbooks
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – Students earning a college education may soon get a cost break as the state's governor is asking to stop taxing college textbooks.
Governor Rick Scott will ask legislators on Thursday to exempt textbooks from state and local sales taxes.
According to the National Association of College Stores, the average price of a new textbook increased from $62 (in 2011 dollars) in 2006-07 to $68 in 2011-12. Students also rely on textbook rentals, used books, and digital resources.
The Scott administration estimates the tax break could save a fulltime student as much as $60 a year. The tax break is expected to cost more than $41 million.
Scott says he is pushing the plan as a way to help students with the cost of college.
Scott will announce his proposal during a visit to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. The tax break is part of budget recommendations he will submit to the Florida Legislature.
The governor will also ask legislators to expand Florida's popular Bright Futures scholarship program so it will cover summer classes.
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