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Bill

SB 1307

Sales and use tax, local; additional tax authorized in all counties and cities to support schools.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Travis Hackworth and 1 co-sponsor

Bill authorizes Virginia localities to impose additional sales tax dedicated to school funding; Governor vetoed it and veto was sustained in April 2025.

Senate sustained Governor's veto
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Bill Summary · SB 1307

Legislative bill overview

SB 1307 would authorize Virginia counties and cities to impose an additional local sales and use tax specifically dedicated to funding schools. The bill passed the legislature but was vetoed by the Governor in March 2025, and the veto was sustained by the Senate on April 2, 2025, preventing the measure from becoming law.

Why is this important

School funding in Virginia varies significantly by locality, and this bill would have provided a new revenue mechanism for jurisdictions to increase education spending independently. The veto and its sustaining reflect disagreement over local tax authority, education funding mechanisms, and whether sales taxes are appropriate funding vehicles for schools.

Potential points of contention

  • Regressive tax burden: Sales taxes disproportionately affect lower-income households, which may conflict with equity goals in education funding
  • Local control vs. state consistency: Allowing individual counties and cities to set different education tax rates could create funding disparities and complicate interstate commerce
  • Revenue dedication concerns: Earmarking sales tax revenue for schools may limit fiscal flexibility during economic downturns when education funding stability is most critical

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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