PJR Graphic by Chuck Jackson.
Voters in Madison and Rappahannock counties will have the opportunity this fall whether to approve a 1% local sales tax on non-grocery and personal hygiene items to supplement new and renovation projects for public schools.
The Virginia General Assembly approved the measure during the 2026 session – actually inserting the authorization for local votes in the biennial budget bill. In the commonwealth, localities possess only powers expressly granted by the state legislature. That’s called a Dillon Rule and Virginia is one of 31 states in the country that follow the rule…