The question of reforming the tax structure in Virginia will loom larger in the next few years in the General Assembly, Sen. Leslie Byrne (D-34) told the Fairfax Federation of Citizens’ Associations on May 16.
As the inequalities between the authority granted to counties and that granted to cities become more pronounced, the call to reform the tax structure will become more vocal, she said.
“We treat counties as some kind of lesser animal on the food chain,” she said. “Cities get more power.”
Jurisdictions across the state are starting to understand the need to have tools to deal with some of their own problems, which could fuel tax reform, she said.
“It’s not only Northern Virginians who are facing these problems now, it’s Stafford County, Henrico County and counties all over Virginia,” she said. “In the '80s there was no comprehension about what it was like to spend two hours driving 10 miles and now they know what it’s like unfortunately.”
TWO COMMISSIONS in Richmond are currently examining the issue of tax reform. A commission led by state Sen. Emmett Hanger (R-24) is expected to report in the Fall and a special commission established by Gov. Mark Warner (D) is headed by former Gov. Doug Wilder.
“If anything, I hope this study on the tax structure will give counties some of the same powers as cities to deal with some of these problems,” said Byrne.
“It has a backing,” said Del. Vivian Watts (D-39), who also addressed the FCA. “I do think that we will see it within the next two years. I think there will be some moves.” Watts added that the fact that so many questions from citizens at the FCA meeting were concerning the issue of tax reform is a good indication that it is becoming a hot-button issue. Discussions of tax reform is the “umbrella” which covers other topics such as school and transportation funding, she said. Watts also mentioned the possibility of holding a special session on tax reform. “I would love to see it this fall,” she said, even though “it will be very difficult” to convene a special session.
State Sen. Warren Barry (R-37), another speaker, said he doubted a special session would be convened for tax reform.
“The only thing you’ll see a special session for is redistricting,” he said, referring to the court challenge to last year’s redistricting plan. “The Governor’s got no desire to get us back in town.”
However, Barry said he expected to see some legislative efforts once the Hanger commission presents its report. “Hanger is a do-type of guy,” said Barry. “He’ll get something done.” Barry added he was uncertain how successful those efforts would be.
But “that particular issue will at least get some publicity,” said Arthur Wells, president of the FCA. “Clearly something’s got to give when the tuition’s going up in the colleges and universities and with the construction program emasculated,” he said.
ALSO HIGH among citizen concerns at the FCA meeting was November’s referendum on transportation. Barry, who wrote the legislation creating the Northern Virginia Regional Transit Authority, the body which will be responsible for allocating money to earmarked projects, said the new authority would “coordinate local governments with state needs.”
“Hopefully they won’t get too parochial,” he said of the authority members. “When you have parochialism, that can bog things down.”
Arthur Wells, president of the FCA, said that he expected local officials to set aside their local interests for the good of the region. “I don’t think they have a whole lot of choice,” he said. “I would think that common sense would prevail.”
Watts said she would support the referendum but that it could not be expected to raise enough money to solve all the transportation problems that the region faces. “No one source of money can address the issue adequately: federal money, state money, user fees, private sector money, local contributions.”