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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep. Mike Sturla Majority Deputy Whip Chairman, Professional Licensure Committee |
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Sturla bill would exempt libraries’ used book sales from state sales tax
LANCASTER, April 28 – Standing inside the Overlook Activities Center on the first day of the Friends of the Lancaster Public Library’s biannual book sale, State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, held a news conference today about his legislation (H.B. 2346) that would exempt local and county libraries’ used book sales from the state sales tax.
"Every year, the Friends of the Lancaster Public Library do an outstanding job of running their humongous book sales with nothing but volunteers," Sturla said. "I was recently told how burdensome it is for them and other libraries to comply with the state sales tax during these used book sales. Considering that these book sales are recycling information for the good of the community and also providing more affordable access to books for kids and families, it would be worthy to exempt them from the sales tax and alleviate that burden."
Pat Ditzler, chair of the Friends of Lancaster Public Library Book Sale, added, "We greatly appreciate the support of our book sales’ customers who help raise funds for the Lancaster Public Library. Exempting us from the sales tax would eliminate a nuisance to our customers and enable our volunteers to perform their work quicker."
Sturla noted that the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue estimates that the exemption would cost only $160,000 for the 2008-09 fiscal year.
"The cost for this exemption is a small part of the state budget that I know we can afford to lose this revenue due to the vital services performed by our libraries," Sturla said. "As a member of the House Finance Committee, I will try everything I can to move my bill through the legislative process."
H.B. 2346 is currently in the House Finance Committee.
The Friends of Lancaster Public Library’s Spring Book Sale continues 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Their fall book sale is scheduled for Sept. 22-24 at the Overlook Activities Center.
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