Books are just one of many expenses college students have to meet as they pursue their education.
However, students could be receiving at least a little relief — 6 percent to be exact — if a bill providing a sales tax exemption on college textbooks becomes law.
House Bill 5568 provides for an exemption for the sales tax on a textbook required for taking a course at any institute for post-secondary education.
Rep. John Stakoe, R-Highland, introduced the bill in January. It has been referred to the Tax Policy Committee. Stakoe said he is working with the committee chairperson to get a hearing for the bill and believes he is making progress.
Sales tax revenue from college textbooks generates a significant portion of state revenue, about $25 million, Stakoe said.
He proposed the bill as a way to help college students combat the rising costs of going to school, including increasing tuition.
"It's $25 million kids can spend on something else," Stakoe said.
Stakoe said he proposed the bill once before but because of the amount of money involved, and the state's financial situation, it did not go anywhere.
Stakoe said he hopes this time the bill gains more support.
He said that while it's not a large amount of money for each student, it could make a difference.
"Having been there, I know every dime counts," Stakoe said. "I'm trying to find something that the state can do to help students."
MSU's undergraduate student government, ASMSU, is supporting the bill, said Philip Moon, Academic Assembly's representative from the College of Communications Arts & Sciences.
Moon said ASMSU has met with staff members of both Stakoe and Rep. Fulton Sheen, R-Plainwell, who is the chairperson of the Tax Policy Committee.
ASMSU would send representatives to make a presentation advocating for the bill if it is given a committee hearing, Moon said.
"We are really hoping to be able to work with the legislature," Moon said. "We hope to be able to push for this bill."
Brent Stickney, a finance senior, said any relief students can get on the bill would be welcome.
Stickney said he spent between $700 and 800 on books this year.
If the new bill were to be implemented, he would have saved between $42 and 48 in sales tax this year.
"That 40 bucks can go to a lot of stuff — like utilities," Stickney said. "I scrounge for every penny I've got."
Students already lose a lot of money in textbooks because they receive far less than they paid for them when they re-sell them.
"Three quarters of them they don't even buy back," Stickney said.
He said especially as students get older he has noticed books become more expensive for upper-level classes.
"It all adds up for sure," Stickney said.
