Virginia Governor Seeks Sales Tax Raise For Transit Projects

Posted by: Nate Berg

19 May 2008 - 8:00am

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has proposed a plan to raise sales taxes in the state to help fund public transportation projects -- a plan similar to one voters turned down in 2002. But this time, voters won't be involved in the decision.

"Six years ago, Northern Virginia voters weighed the pain of sitting in traffic against the bite that would result from a half-cent local sales tax increase to pay for transportation improvements. By a clear majority, they said, Thanks, but no thanks."

"Now, Gov. Tim Kaine has measured the reality of clogged roads against the message voters sent in 2002. And he's decided that what Northern Virginia needs this time is double the sales tax increase that voters rejected six years ago. Oh, and this time, we won't bother with the messy business of asking voters for their opinion."

"The anti-tax crowd is still repelled by proposals like Kaine's, which would jack up statewide taxes on selling your house and buying and registering your car, and boost the sales tax from 5 percent to 6 percent in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads only."

Full Story: Kaine Should Try Alternate Route To Transportation Financing

Source: The Washington Post, May 15, 2008