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Hampton Roads voters mostly reject a 1% sales tax for school construction
Voters around Hampton Roads mostly said no Tuesday to a 1% sales tax for school construction. York, Isle of Wight and Mathews counties all voted it down, and WHRO reports that Portsmouth did too and Middlesex County passed it.
In Portsmouth, where 61% voted no, schools spokesperson Lauren Nolasco said the burden "now falls entirely on city leadership." WTKR reports Newport News and Norfolk also rejected the tax. In York County, School Board Chair Douglas Holroyd said the board will keep working "to evaluate our capital priorities and available funding options."
- Middlesex County: 51% yes, passed; state estimates about $1.5 million a year
- The tax covers items like clothing and restaurant meals, not groceries
- Portsmouth's priorities now go to City Council during budget planning
Portsmouth's proposed tax was expected to raise about $10 million a year
- $10 million
- expected each year in Portsmouth
- $200 million
- over the maximum 20 years
- $85 million
- estimated cost of Portsmouth's top priority, a new K-8 school
- 47
- Virginia localities had the question on the ballot
