
RICHMOND — Virginia lawmakers are set to begin their legislative session Monday, but with elections ahead in November, passing bills may be more difficult this year.
Democrats are interested in beginning the process of passing constitutional amendments on voting rights, marriage equality and reproductive rights this year. The Virginia General Assembly must pass a constitutional amendment twice, in two different legislative sessions, then the amendment would go to voters for approval.
Kate Seltzer, state politics reporter for the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, said a major priority for state Republicans will be tax relief, particularly relief from the annual Vehicle Personal Property Tax, known as the “car tax.”
“State Republicans are endorsing an end to the car tax, or taking some incremental steps to end the car tax, which they described as the ‘most hated tax since the Boston tea tax.’ It is an unpopular tax,” Seltzer explained.
It is unpopular because it costs people who own or lease a vehicle just over $4 for each $100 of their car’s value as of Jan. 1 each year. Democrats, however, are concerned about school and local government funding if the car tax is repealed. One poll last year found more than 60% of Virginians wanted to see it repealed.
Other Republican priorities include raising criminal penalties for breaking laws involving firearms and drugs.
Seltzer noted the elections coming up later this year may lead to both sides digging in and wanting to deliver key parts of their agendas to their bases.
“The sort of cynical school of thought is that everybody will promote their own legislative priorities,” Seltzer observed. “What they will then do is go back to their constituents and explain, ‘Well, this is what we tried to do. This is what the other party did to prevent you from having this.’ And then, they’ll use that in the gubernatorial election.”
Elections for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and the entire state House of Delegates will be held this November.