Virginia
Hate the Virginia ‘car tax’? A plan to get rid of it is ‘dead on arrival,’ state Democrats say – WTOP News
A plan to get rid of Virginia’s local tax on personal property, which is often referred to as the “car tax,” will not go far in the General Assembly, according to Democratic leaders.
A plan to get rid of Virginia’s local tax on personal property, which is often referred to as the “car tax,” will not go far in the General Assembly, according to Democratic leaders.
“My opinion is: it’s dead on arrival,” said Democratic Sen. Scott Surovell, the majority leader in Virginia’s Senate.
Following Virginia’s election in November, the House of Delegates is now controlled by Democrats 51-49, and the Democrats have a 21-19 majority in the Senate.
While Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin has called the car tax the “single most-hated tax in Virginia,” he will likely have a difficult time selling a repeal of the tax to Democrats.
Youngkin did not specifically put a car tax repeal in his budget proposal, but he has strongly urged lawmakers to consider the idea.
“Everywhere I go in the Commonwealth, people say to me, ‘Governor, I hate the car tax, can we get rid of it?’” Youngkin said in an interview with WTOP.
The annual tax can be fairly expensive, and it varies based on where people live.
For example, the car tax rate in Fairfax County is about $4.50 per $100 of assessed value. In Arlington County, it is $5, and about $5.30 in Alexandria.
“We can remove the car tax for folks and make sure that Virginians can own their car outright, as opposed to constantly feeling like they’re paying for it forever,” Youngkin said.
Youngkin has indicated that revenue generated from the tax could be replaced with a further increase in local sales taxes.
“We’re discussing a plan where all the localities are held whole,” Youngkin said. “They don’t lose out on this.”
According to Surovell, however, lawmakers don’t have enough information to move forward.
“The car tax in Fairfax County generates about $3,500 per student,” Surovell said. “I haven’t heard from the governor how he intends to replace that kind of money.”
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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Four new trollies will join the VB Wave Trolley fleet beginning May 10, when Virginia Beach Wave Trolley will resume its seasonal service along the oceanfront.
Trolley season lasts through September 25-27 for the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival.
A total of 14 new trollies will be part of the fleet this year, gradually replacing the older versions. The 29-foot trolley replica buses seat 29 people and feature wooden seats, with “sky-blue and sand-colored brown exterior,” according to Hampton Roads Transit (HRTS). Last year, 281,507 riders used the trolley system.
“This year marks the 42nd season of the VB Wave trolley, and these new trollies will provide a comfortable, safe, and efficient ride for visitors and locals alike,” William E. Harrell said. He is the president and CEO of HRT. “As part of our partnership with the city of Virginia Beach, the VB Wave makes it easy for everyone to visit attractions and explore the Oceanfront and beyond without the hassles of parking or the high cost of gas,” Harrell said.
The following routes will operate May 10 through Sept. 27 for the Neptune Festival:
Route 30 is the Atlantic Avenue Trolley, running along the Oceanfront between JT’s Grommet Island Park to Fortieth Street. This service operates daily from 8 a.m.- 2 a.m.
Route 31 is the aquarium and campground trolley along General Booth Boulevard. It runs daily from 9:30 a.m.-11:10 p.m. through Labor Day and again on Fridays through Sundays from Sept. 11 through Sept. 27. Route 31 also extends to Atlantic Avenue and 18th Street.
Route 35 is the Bayfront Bus, providing service between Parks Avenue and 19th Street and Shore Drive and Pleasure House Road, enabling customers to visit Chesapeake Bay beaches, First Landing State Park, and Bayfront restaurants. It operates daily from 8 a.m.-12:30 a.m. through Labor Day and then Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only from Sept. 11 through the Sept. 27 festival
The VB Wave trolley connects to HRT bus lines, Routes 20 and 960, with access to the Newtown Road Light Rail Station and the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center.
Fares are $2 one way or $4.50 for an all-day pass. Kids 17 and under ride free with a paying adult. Riders can pay for tickets using HRT’s GoMobile app and a credit card. Riders can create and manage multiple virtual cards and reload value for easy group boarding, and need to have a unique scannable virtual card for boarding. Children are not required to scan a virtual card or pay fare when boarding with an adult.
Customers can also tap to pay using credit and debit cards. KOA Campground, Virginia Gift Shop, nine Sunsations locations, and Ocean Wave Gift Shop sell tickets. Riders can also pay with exact change cash onboard the trolley.
In addition, HRT is introducing a new route in Virginia Beach beginning May 10. The new Route 981 will connect the Amazon Fulfillment Center (ORF 4) at 1795 Dam Neck Road with the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center.
Route 33 service is being restored to Atlantic Avenue and 68th Street 365 days a year to support the oceanfront hospitality industry.
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