Richmond and Chesterfield voters approved sales tax hikes that will bring in roughly $117 million a year combined to rebuild and renovate aging public schools.
Why it matters: Both localities face massive school construction bills, and voters just gave officials a new way to pay for them.
How it works: The measure allows each locality to raise its sales tax from 6% to 7%, adding $1 to every $100 in taxable purchases, but local officials still have to vote to enact it.
- Groceries and essential personal hygiene products would be exempt.
- Both governments have floated property tax cuts to offset some of the added costs if passed, though those reductions aren’t guaranteed.
Yes, but: While local officials have pushed the increases as a lifeline for overdue school projects, some residents questioned paying more amid concerns about government spending and already-high taxes…