Hickenlooper merits praise for repealing software tax

A positive step.

Gov. John Hickenlooper and the Colorado General Assembly deserve praise for repealing a sales and use tax on nonpackaged computer software purchased by Colorado companies. The governor signed House Bill 1293 into law June 7, and the measure becomes law in July 2012.

House Republican Majority Leader Amy Stephens, R-Monument, served as prime sponsor of the bill, along with Sen. Cheri Jahn, D-Wheat Ridge; Rep. Carole Murray, R-Castle Rock; and Sen. Linda Newell, D-Littleton.

Exemption of software purchased online from the state sales-and-use tax was eliminated in 2010 under the administration of former governor Bill Ritter,…