It is common knowledge what a crushing debt a person can endure from trying to get a college education. Student debt can last for decades. But the only way to get a decent job, a good-paying career is to get that education.

So if there is anything that can cut the costs of going to college, it should be supported.

Twelve legislators in Ohio understand that and want to help.

They have sponsored House Bill 308 that would amend the Ohio Tax Code to exempt sales tax on college textbooks.

Their reason is simple; the statistics are on their side.

To attend an in-state four-year college costs on average more than $1,000 for textbooks. That is typically about six percent of a student’s overall annual budget. Seemingly a small amount, but when it comes to paying for a college education, every cent counts big time.

Since 1977 the Bureau of Labor Statistics says that textbook prices have grown more than three times the inflation rate or a more than 1,000 percent increase.

Right now this bill is in the Ways and Means Committee where it has been since the first of the year.

But the legislature should move forward quickly passing this vital bill to help ease some of the burden of getting a college education. Ohio’s students deserve as much.