Flanked by the student body presidents from state universities, Gov. Rick Scott showcased his proposals on Wednesday to cut sales taxes on school textbooks and expand the Bright Futures scholarship program to cover summer classes for Floridas college students.
The governor estimated the break could save a full-time student as much as $60 a year, if they spend about $1,000 on textbooks. A 2014 College Board study found students spend an average $1,200 a year on textbooks, with some books costing up to $200 each.
A 2013 United States Government Accountability office study found the cost of college textbooks had skyrocketed 82 percent between 2003 and 2013.
The governor explained it was important for students to know just how much theyd be spending on textbooks before they enrolled in a class.
Student body presidents agreed, saying it would ease up expenses on what can sometimes be a costly education.
We believe this will allow our students to achieve their goals without being burdened by debt, said Stefano Cavallaro, Florida State University student government president. This tax break will provide real savings for Florida students.
Scott also promised to hold the line on tuition to make sure every Florida student could afford a college education.
A great education that you cant afford is no help to our students, said Scott on the high costs of books.
Floridas Bright Futures Scholarship program, which provides high-achieving high school students with scholarships to any state college/universities, also came into Scotts focus Wednesday.
With an anticipated budget surplus of $1 billion, the governor has proposed to spend nearly $24 million on the Bright Futures program in order to help Florida college students pay for summer courses.
Its the right thing to do for all students ... to give them the opportunity to go [to school] in the summer, he explained.
By expanding Bright Futures, students would be given more flexibility with their education and would be able to more easily reach their goals, Scott said.
Reach Tampa-based reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen
