Latest issueHampton Roads voters mostly reject the school sales taxRead now

Hampton Morning NewsSubscribe — it’s free

← Hampton news

ElectionsFriday, November 6

Hampton Roads voters mostly reject a 1% sales tax for school construction

The Hampton Morning News teamFrom today’s edition · 1 min read · 3 sources

ShareEmailFacebookX

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.

Middlesex was the only one of these four with under 50% saying no

Sources: WTKR, WHRO

View as table
Value
Portsmouth61%
York County61%
Mathews County52%
Middlesex County49%

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

Sources: WTKR, WAVY.com, WHRO

Sources: WTKR, WAVY.com, WHRO

Read it in the full edition

More from today’s edition

Read the edition
Things to DoThe Virginia Zoo's new Community Days cut tickets to $12.50 for Hampton residentsIf you live in Hampton, the Virginia Zoo just cut your ticket price. The zoo is offering $12.50 adult and child tickets to Hampton Roads residents on select November dates, and Hampton is on the list of included cities. Children under 2 get in free.Today’s editionRead

More elections from local newsrooms

All elections news

  1. WAVY.com12 hours ago

    Luria discusses priorities in preparation for reentry to Congress

    PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Representative-elect Elaine Luria (D) talked about her priorities regarding investigations, legislation, affordability, the military and the U.S. relationship with Israel Thursday, as she gets ready to get sworn in to the 120th Congress. Luria served two earlier terms in Virginia’s 2nd District, and then defeated incumbent Jen Kiggans (R) by more

  2. WVECYesterday

    Norfolk voters reject proposed 1% local sales tax increase

    Norfolk voters reject proposed 1% sales tax increase to fund public school construction and major renovations.

  3. WAVY.comYesterday

    Norfolk City Hall has internet connectivity issues on Election Day, more possible through out the week

    NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – It was a stressful Election Day for election workers in Norfolk City Hall as they navigated internet issues through out most of the day. As voters headed to the polls to cast their ballots at precincts throughout the Mermaid City, the folks working behind the scenes in Norfolk City Hall were

  4. WVECNov. 4

    Hampton Roads voters reject sales tax referendum to benefit school construction, renovation

    Some said they thought that the referendum failed in Norfolk potentially because of the lack of communication and education about what it entailed.

    Also reported byWHRO