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Home – Virginia Politics & News – Virginians May Be Asked to Vote for Higher Taxes

Virginians May Be Asked to Vote for Higher Taxes

Do you want higher taxes? Local politicians may soon give many Virginia residents a chance to answer that question for themselves.

Earlier this year, state Sen. L. Louise Lucas introduced a bill that would have allowed all local governments to impose an additional 1% sales tax on top of existing levies. At the time the bill was drafted, only Charlotte, Gloucester, Halifax, Henry, Mecklenburg, Northampton, Patrick, and Pittsylvania counties and the City of Danville enjoyed that authority. Lucas’ bill died in committee, but she didn’t earn her job as president pro tempore of the Virginia Senate and reputation as the state’s most powerful elected official by giving up easily.

Lucas has other ways to get her ideas into circulation. In this case, language that will allow localities to increase the local sales tax on most purchases—with the new revenue earmarked to fund school projects—was added to the two-year state budget presented to lawmakers just days before the July 1 fiscal year began.

They passed the measure and Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed it, which, of course, needed to happen to prevent a state government shutdown. And so, your tax rate may get a boost,........

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