Warnick proposes tax exemption for textbooks

OLYMPIA – State Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, has introduced a bill in the House that would exempt college textbooks from state sales tax.

“Give college students a break,” she said.

Ten years ago, college students attending four-year schools paid for about 29 percent of their education, while the state’s taxpayers invested in the rest, Warnick said. Today, students are paying 64 percent of their education.

House Bill 1160 would create a sales tax exemption on college textbooks.

Recent state budget shortfalls have led the legislature to adopt spending reductions to higher education. Colleges and universities have passed those costs on to students in the form of tuition increases.

“The burden on college students and their families is immense these days, and I want to provide some immediate help,” Warnick said. “When students pay hundreds of dollars on textbooks, getting a break on the sales tax can really add up.”

The legislation was referred to the House Finance Committee and awaits to be scheduled for a public hearing.