RVA Kids Can't Wait
To the many community leaders,
education advocates, restaurant owners,
business leaders, and our City Council,
thank you!
As a city, we took
a big step toward providing our students
with the schools they deserve. Now
let’s dine out to celebrate!
#DineOutForRVAKids
Richmond public schools have long suffered with a number of critical facilities issues. The time for inaction is over and Mayor Stoney has proposed a plan to generate $9.1 million in new revenue to fund $150 million in new school construction and renovation. A 1.5 cent increase to our city’s meals tax is all it would take. The increase in the meals tax enjoys broad support, including many local restaurateurs, who understand that all children need and deserve a safe place to learn and grow where they are not exposed to mold, leaking roofs, chronic plumbing and heating problems and overcrowded classrooms. Richmond’s schools are not just a priority for kids and parents; they are a priority for our community and strengthen our community in many ways.
The Need
Every day Richmond children are attending school in facilities that are unsafe and unhealthy. With widespread mold and inadequate heating systems, just to name a few, throughout most of the local schools, kids are consistently subjected to poor learning conditions and failing buildings. Together, we can work to improve our schools and make learning safe and healthy for children throughout the city. The time to act is now.
Get the Facts!
Learn more about the plan to fund school construction and renovations.
Mayor Stoney has put forward a plan to help improve our schools and it’s the only credible, fiscally prudent approach being considered that would generate enough revenue to build new schools.
Without this proposal, it will be five years (2023) before we have the debt capacity to be able to finance capital improvements for our schools. Given the urgency and critical state of our school facilities’ needs we must act now.
This 1.5% increase will raise $9.1 million per year – enough to secure $150 million to be used in a special reserve solely to fund school construction.
There is not $150 million available in our current budget. Right now, the City Council and the Mayor will have to identify $17 million in reductions over projected expenses. This is due to a projected decrease in revenue for Fiscal Year 2019.
$150 million is not enough, but it is the amount of revenue we need to raise now. We should also pursue ways to promote greater efficiencies and explore tax credits as supplements.
This is not a tax increase on restaurants. This is a modest increase in the existing meals tax, from 6% to 7.5% on people who choose to dine out. This would add 15 cents to the cost of a $10 meal and $1.50 to the cost of a $100 meal if adopted.
Recent statistics show that roughly half the current meals tax is paid by people who live outside the city. Additionally, one-third of the current tax is paid by people who visit the city from at least 50 miles away.
Unlike an increase in the real estate tax, which would impact 100% of Richmond property owners, the meals tax is entirely discretionary and only impacts those who choose to dine out.
A cigarette tax also wouldn’t work because it is a declining source of revenue and would not generate the steady revenue needed for a sustainable future.
When determining what area to live in, one of the most important things people evaluate is the quality of the public schools available. In order to make our city more competitive, we must improve our school facilities and learning environments.
Why the Meals Tax?
Richmond restaurants are strong and the evidence shows that the 1.5% meals tax will not hurt them. In 2003, Richmond increased its meals tax by 1 percent to raise money for cultural arts in the city and restaurants continued to thrive and draw nearly one third of their customers from outside the city. Furthermore, Richmond residents, whether they have children in school or not, understand the importance of addressing this situation now and for many patrons, it is just another good reason to enjoy Richmond’s nationally-recognized restaurant scene!
Take Action & Be Heard
We urgently need your help with making sure this proposal becomes a reality because RVA Kids Can’t Wait! To learn more and sign up as a supporter, visit us on our website at RVAKidsCantWait.com. Before the City Council’s February 12th vote, please contact your city council member and tell them to vote YES to support our public schools, our kids and the future of Richmond.
Contact your City Council member and tell them to vote YES to support the meals tax increase for our schools!
1st District
Andreas D. Addison
p: 804.646.5935
Send an Email
2nd District
Kimberly B. Gray
p: 804.646.6532
Send an Email
3rd District
Chris A. Hilbert
p: 804.646.6055
Send an Email
4th District
Kristen Nye Larson
p: 804.646.5646
Send an Email
5th District
Parker C. Agelasto
p: 804.646.5724
Send an Email
6th District
Ellen F. Robertson
p: 804.646.7964
Send an Email
7th District
Cynthia I. Newbille
p: 804.646.3012
Send an Email
8th District
Reva M. Trammell
p: 804.646.6591
Send an Email
9th District
Michael J. Jones
p: 804.646.2779
Send an Email
Our Supporters
We have broad support for this sales tax increase because people understand our kids can’t wait.
"The story of Richmond's ability to fund its schools is a really complicated one, but we haven't had any capital money in the city to speak of for 40 years. Our mayor has found a way to go forward. It's giving us a real shot to do something significant."
"I'm concerned about all of our children having a quality education. We can experience an unselfishness of 1.5% when we get the opportunity to have a meal knowing that the investment is in all our children's lives.”
"The African-American clergy is solidly in lock step with our mayor to make this happen."
"Every child deserves a quality education and we have a responsibility to teach our children and use every resource we have available. If not now, when?"
"I can speak to how important a meals tax passage can impact a school system. Henrico County citizens voted to support a meals tax and we've seen some tremendous things happen. I hope that Richmond citizens will follow suit."
"The most state of the art facility that we have in the City of Richmond is the Justice Center. We show our kids it's more important to take care of incarcerated individuals then it is for them to be taken care of in the schools they're supposed to learn in. It is important right now that we act."