Virginia’s 2026 law lets cities and counties ask voters to authorize an additional local sales tax of up to 1% for qualifying school construction or major renovation. A yes vote does not impose the tax: after voter approval, the local governing body must still adopt a separate ordinance. Newport News says 47 localities have a school-tax question on the November 3, 2026 ballot; the election has not yet occurred.
What does a yes vote do?
It authorizes a locality to impose the tax later; it does not itself enact an increase. Under Virginia Code §58.1-605.1, a local governing body first submits the question by resolution. If voters approve it, the governing body may then adopt a levying ordinance. The ordinance must state the tax’s purpose and expiration date, and its effective date must be the first day of a month at least 120 days after adoption.
The statutory ceiling is 1%, not a required rate. A locality decides whether to seek authorization and, after approval, whether and at what rate to adopt the tax within the legal limit. Newport News’ proposed question asks voters to allow a tax of “up to” 1%.
What would the tax pay for?
For the school-only authority, revenue is restricted to capital projects for new school construction or major renovation of schools serving the locality, plus related bond and loan financing costs. The law bars using these proceeds for operating costs, such as salaries, or to repay existing public-school capital-project debt for work begun or completed before the tax is imposed.
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The statute also requires each local ordinance to specify an expiration date. That date is locality-specific, not a single statewide sunset. Check the exact ballot language and local ordinance for the proposed end date and project scope.
Are groceries and other purchases included?
The additional tax excludes food purchased for human consumption and essential personal hygiene products under the state statute. Newport News’ materials also say motor vehicles and gasoline would not be subject to its proposed additional rate. That local description should not be assumed to settle the treatment of every purchase in every locality; consult the specific local ballot and tax information.
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How much money could a locality raise?
There is no established statewide estimate for revenue from all 47 proposed measures. Local projections depend on the rate adopted and the locality’s taxable sales base, so one city’s forecast is not a reliable forecast for another.
Newport News’ projection and school needs
The City of Newport News estimates the full proposed rate could raise $25–30 million annually. The city says its combined sales-tax rate would rise from 6% to 7% if the full 1% is adopted. Those are Newport News estimates and rates, not statewide figures.
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Newport News Public Schools identified $356.8 million in capital needs for FY2027–FY2031, as reported by the city in 2026. Proposed work includes renovating Denbigh High School, replacing Dutrow Elementary, replacing portable classrooms with permanent ones, and renewing aging roofs and HVAC systems. The city cautions that project costs and timelines are preliminary and may change. It says school capital work is already funded through the city budget and Capital Improvement Program; the proposed tax would be additional dedicated capital revenue.
Historical use elsewhere
Virginia Mercury reported on October 5, 2026, citing Virginia Department of Taxation records, that nine localities previously authorized to levy the tax generated $119 million. That is aggregate historical revenue, not a projection for the new ballot questions. In Danville, Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Michael Adkins said receipts covered debt service on 20-year bonds and left some funds for specific projects or contingencies. That is one locality’s experience, not a guarantee of revenue or borrowing results elsewhere.
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Which localities have the question on the ballot?
The City of Newport News reported that 47 Virginia localities have a school-construction sales-tax question scheduled for November 3, 2026. The available sources do not establish final certified ballot wording for every locality. Check your local registrar or governing body for the exact question, rate, and any locality-specific terms. Richmond, for example, initiated submission of a question through City Council Resolution 2026-R028.
A related but distinct authority applies in Planning District 8: localities there may use an additional tax of up to 1% for school projects, public transportation, or both, subject to the statute. Do not assume that a Northern Virginia question has the same purpose as a school-only question elsewhere; read its ballot language.
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How to evaluate your locality’s proposal
Before deciding, compare the actual terms rather than relying on the statewide maximum or another city’s forecast:
- Rate and total tax: the proposed rate and the locality’s current combined sales-tax rate.
- Revenue estimate: the locality’s forecast, the rate it assumes, and whether the estimate is annual.
- Eligible purchases: statutory exemptions and any local explanation of what would be taxed.
- Projects and schedule: the named school work, estimated costs, timing, and which needs remain unfunded.
- Existing funding: current school-capital contributions and how the new revenue would supplement them.
- Financing and expiration: whether the locality expects to use bonds or loans, and the ordinance’s stated end date.
- Implementation: remember that voter approval authorizes a later ordinance; it does not impose the tax by itself.
What supporters and opponents argue
Supporters point to a dedicated source of capital funding and the possibility of financing long-lived school projects. Danville’s reported bond experience is an example, but revenue bases, borrowing costs, and project pipelines differ by locality.
Opponents in York County have raised concerns about the existing tax burden and argued that sales taxes weigh more heavily on lower-income households. That is an attributed argument, not a locality-specific analysis of how the proposed measures would affect household budgets.
As of October 7, 2026, the November 3 election is still in the future. The available sources do not establish the results or a statewide estimate of proceeds from the ballot measures.
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