Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - A House of Delegates subcommittee has rejected multiple plans to allow sales tax increases to help fund school construction. The bills varied from serving just one locality to the entire Commonwealth.
State Senator Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond) pointed out Virginia has a large number of schools that are more than 50 years old, and some like Fox Elementary in Richmond, are over 100 years old. Fox burned down earlier this month; McClellan's daughter is a Fox student. However, Delegate Kathy Byron (R-Campbell) says while she understands the need, her voters elected her not to raise taxes.
The House of Delegates has proposed a two billion dollar loan rebate program for school construction in the state budget. However, advocates of the sales tax say that number is just a drop in the bucket.
