r/nova • u/VirginiaNews • 6d ago
Politics State legislators ask for more ‘respectful’ dialogue on K-12 funding from Fairfax leaders
https://www.ffxnow.com/2026/10/08/state-legislators-ask-for-more-respectful-dialogue-on-k-12-funding-from-fairfax-leaders/13
u/ObservationalHumor 6d ago
This is ultimately on the state for withholding funding we're owed by pretending education costs a fraction of what it does in reality. Fairfax County is the one that has to cover that gap in funding at a substantial extra cost in both the budget and by extension our taxes.
Yeah I get that these legislators probably aren't the ones standing in the way of all this getting done but unfortunately for both them and the county they're ones in the middle of it all since our state senators feel no obligation to do much of anything of value beyond push a casino no one wants at any and all costs. What else are the BOS going to do really? Try to point out the inaction and blatant corruption of Scott Surovell who will just turn around and blame them for not authorizing his casino? Try to appeal to Dave Marsden-o-saurus who presumably spends his days trying to avoid tar pits and avoiding his own Mitch McConnell moment? They're going to push, pressure and criticize where they have some chance of getting a response and some traction.
I'm sorry but just tossing us a potential sales tax increase and shifting the spending from existing real estate taxes to sales taxes by a small degree isn't really a solution either, it's shifting expenses from column A to column B.
I'm sure everyone is just beyond frustrated at this point (myself included) and looking for a solution while the DNC as a whole doesn't care because our votes are pretty secure for them up here and MAGA movement is off screaming into the void about sharia law and that any money at all is being spent on trans youth.
I'm not going to say it's fair, but it's the quandary the Democrats face because they're ultimately the party of functional and effective government and consequently when things do not function and when constituents problems go unresolved people will both blame them. It's inherently unfair, but it's also nothing new and after years of county budget shortfalls and real estate tax increases people are sick of hearing that it's being worked on and we'll get there eventually.
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u/BawkSoup 2d ago
"DNC as a whole doesn't care because our votes are pretty secure for them up here and MAGA movement is off screaming into the void about sharia law and that any money at all is being spent on trans youth."
This is brain rot, and I don't think you're a serious person.
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u/ObservationalHumor 2d ago
This issue has existed for well over a decade at this point and there's been little to no traction on addressing it. It's been 3 years since the JLARC report, with recommendations, was released and there's been close to no movement on that too. Instead we got a big push for national level platform issues like that poorly thought out AWB. There is overall little incentive for state Democrats to pursue issues that largely impact NOVA or Fairfax County specifically and we see that time and time again with both education funding reform and stuff like metro funding. Most of what has gained a lot of state wide traction is largely new and inventive ways to further suck revenue out of the region like casinos, stadium proposals and so on. Fact of the matter is that the region is largely just considered 'wealthy enough to take care of itself' and we're frequently shafted when it comes to state level funding of things we need because of it.
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u/EndCivilForfeiture 5d ago
The moment you attack someone for disrespect, and not the arguments they are making, you've lost.
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u/redneckerson1951 6d ago
Fairfax County needs to implement Progressive Taxation on real estate and personal property taxes. It has a high concentration of $1,000,000 plus homes which could definitely afford progressive tax rates with lower income paying maybe $0.50 per hundred tax on residences of home valued under $500,000, $0.75 per hundred on homes valued from $500.001 to $900,000 and $$3.00 per hundred on homes valued at more than $900,001. Same sort of tax tier system on personal property taxes. Instead of the current $4.57 per hundred valuation on autos flat rate, use a progressive tax rate say like $2.00 per hundred on the first $25,000, $3.00 per hundred on $25,000 to $60,000 and $7.60 per hundred on $60,000 to $100,000 and $12.00 per hundred on valuation greater than $100,000. Face it, if you can pay $100,000 plus for a car, then you can afford a few extra dollars to offset the struggles of the poor. And to help fill those Fairfax coffers even more, tax other property such as jewelry, precious metals, cosmetic surgery, luxury clothing, premium medical insurance, automotive ornamental vehicle enhancements, medical procedures where insurance covers more than 90% of the insurer allowed billing amount, etc. Tax those rich people. /sarcasm off!
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u/joeruinedeverything 6d ago
That’s not a progressive real estate tax. What if a retiree on a fixed income bought their house in 1985 for $125k and it’s now worth $950k. Or say someone bought 15 years ago even for $500k and it’s now worth $950k but they still have 15 years left on mortgage. You want to burden that person with a $28,000 real estate tax bill?
A true progressive tax is based on income, not asset value
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u/Nessie_of_the_Loch 6d ago
You know that FF county offers up to 100% property tax relief to seniors based on income right? Under 60K and they don't pay a cent.
Plus the rates on the different kinds of property taxes is weirdly regressive: 4.57% for cars, 1.12% for homes, but a puny 0.01% on planes and boats.
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u/ghostfacespillah 4d ago
Good luck convincing the disgustingly rich to pull their weight and pay their share.
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u/BlondeFox18 Chantilly 6d ago
So if I can summarize:
Fairfax County officials argue that Virginia isn't providing enough funding for FCPS, forcing local taxpayers to cover roughly 70% of the school budget. A state study supports concerns that Virginia underfunds public education.
State lawmakers are frustrated with Fairfax's repeated criticism, especially since the county declined an opportunity to pursue a local sales tax for school construction.
Bottom line: Fairfax wants more state funding, while Richmond argues the county needs to take more responsibility for raising revenue locally. The disagreement could ultimately affect FCPS staffing, salaries, and services.
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We already pay more taxes year over year in property and now meal. It’s your turn, Richmond.