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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 8, 2016 10:29 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Robert F. Matzie |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | E-Textbook Legislation |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation requiring publishers of post-secondary textbooks to offer, for sale within two years, an identical digital equivalent of any college textbook that is sold within the Commonwealth. As we continue to look for ways to make post-secondary education in Pennsylvania more affordable, we must be sure to take advantage of innovations in information technologies and recognize how that can translate to cost savings for our students. Nearly 90 percent of college students already own a laptop or mobile device. These products are, more and more, replacing traditional methods of print and defining how we receive information. By requiring publishers to make textbooks available in an electronic format, our students can realize significant savings compared to the cost of a traditional textbook. Publishers may also realize savings, as the cost in publishing and selling an electronic textbook is considerably less than a conventional book. I hope that you will join with me to help curb some of the costs of higher education by supporting this important measure. |
Introduced as HB2389