VA House passes bill to allow localities to impose 1% sales tax for school construction, renovation

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Could crumbling schools across Virginia soon be getting the help they need? 

“We have schools that are over 100 years old, even, and what we’re worried about, the health of the student, not only mold and crumbling situations, but just the impact that it has, sitting in that classroom all day. We need to be able to do more to help localities that want to help themselves,” the bill’s author, Delegate Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke), told 8News. 

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, the Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill that would allow localities to impose an additional 1% sales tax if voters in the locality approve the increase via referendum, with the money going toward school construction and renovation. 

According to a 2021 state report, more than half of Virginia’s schools are more than 50 years old, and the cost to replace those schools is nearly $25 billion. 

“We have to allow for localities to do this, so it’s permissive, the voters are the ones that actually make the decision,” Rasoul said.

However, some Republicans like Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover) oppose the idea, saying lawmakers have other ways to fund school construction without raising taxes on everyday Virginians. 

“We’ve been able to take money from casino operations and, over a three-year period, put almost $500 million, that’s half-a-billion dollars, towards school construction. That’s the way we tackle the problem, not raising taxes on Virginians,” McDougle told 8News. 

In previous years, identical bills have passed the General Assembly before being vetoed by former Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. 

In a statement, a spokesperson for current Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger said, “Governor Spanberger has heard from local leaders across Virginia — but particularly in rural communities — about the importance of this legislation that has previously passed out of the General Assembly with broad, bipartisan support. These leaders, Virginia parents, and community members know the needs of their communities best. The Governor believes Virginia voters should have the authority to make decisions that set their students and schools up for success — including the choice whether or not to make new investments in local public schools.”