Legislative Bulletin February 16, 2023 – Action Alert
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 - 05:18pm
Support Local Option Sales & Use Tax for School Construction bill to be heard Friday, Feb. 17 at 7:30am
Contact the members of House Finance Subcommittee #3 to support SB1408
SB1408 (McClellan) extends the authority for local governments to hold a referendum to impose a one percent sales tax to help raise funds for school construction and renovation needs from nine localities to statewide.
Important to note
- Using old facilities comes with numerous issues such as outdated equipment, lack of proper ventilation, leaking roofs, cracked floors, faulty internet capabilities, and other infrastructure problems linked to old buildings. Not addressing these issues can lead to unsafe and distracting classroom environments impeding students’ ability to learn.
- Providing localities with a dedicated funding source to be used solely for school construction with the consent of residents will lead to a better learning environment for students. Currently, localities rely on property taxes to fund school divisions, having this dedicated funding source will not force localities to raise property taxes which can place stress on students and families.
Key points of the legislation
- The one percent local option sales tax could only be implemented in a locality following the approval of both the local governing body and a citizen referendum.
- Funds must be used solely for school construction and maintenance needs.
- Simply grants authority for localities to initiate this process, it is not a mandate.
Action requested:
Contact the members of the House Finance Subcommittee #3 before Friday at 7:30 AM to support SB1408!
| Byron (Chair) | DelKByron@house.virginia.gov | (804) 698-1022 |
| Orrock | DelBOrrock@house.virginia.gov | (804) 698-1054 |
| Freitas | DelNFreitas@house.virginia.gov | (804) 698-1030 |
| Runion | DelCRunion@house.virginia.gov | (804) 698-1025 |
| Murphy | DelKMurphy@house.virginia.gov | (804) 698-1034 |
| Scott | DelDScott@house.virginia.gov | (804) 698-1080 |
| Robinson | DelRRobinson@house.virginia.gov | (804) 698-1027 |
| Convirs-Fowler | DelKConvirs-Fowler@House.virginia.gov | (804) 698-1021 |
VML Contact:Â Josette Bulova, jbulova@vml.org
