Virginia Advocacy on Budget and Taxes

Examples of the Chamber’s advocacy in Virginia on issues related to budget and taxes include:
The Arlington Chamber was one of several Chambers state-wide who signed a letter to the Governor and Budget Conferees, requesting the retention of the Local Composite Index (LCI) cap, which provides Arlington and other counties funds for preschool programs for at-risk children.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the House Finance Committee oppose SB14. This bill, a cognate of HB805, would allow localities to levy a new additional sales and use tax.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the House Finance Committee support SB556, a bill extending the historic preservation tax credit.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the House Finance Committee oppose HB805. This bill was the merger of HB548 and similar legislation, which would allow for localities to levy a new additional sales and use tax.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the House Finance Committee's Subcommittee #3 oppose HB458, legislation that would permit all Virginia localities to levy a new additional sales and use tax.  The Arlington Chamber joined area chambers and other business organizations in calling on the General Assembly to adopt HB 1405/SB796, providing companies additional flexibility to choose the method of filing their corporate income taxes. Companies that grow and develop over time find a certain method of filing more efficient, and this bill would provide them the opportunity to adjust the filing methods as they choose to elect. ​ ​​​The Arlington Chamber strongly opposes the proposed suspension of the Commonwealth’s gasoline tax and the proposed permanent 2% cap on its annual indexing for inflation. The gasoline tax is one of the top three dedicated sources of Virginia transportation funding. Making such a significant cut to state transportation revenue would have long-term consequences for our transportation network, making it harder for people to access jobs, products, and services. As part of the Northern Virginia Back to Work Task Force, the Chamber called on Governor Northam to protect important funding for talent development programs, including the G3 Program, university funding, FastForward program, and the Virginia Employment Commission. As part of the Northern Virginia Back to Work Task Force, the Chamber called on Governor Northam to protect important funding for talent development programs, including the G3 Program, university funding, and the Tech Talent Pipeline programs. The Arlington Chamber co-signed a letter with several other regional Chambers of Commerce addressed to Governor Ralph Northam. The letter requested that the Virginia tax deadline be pushed back to July 15, to coincide with the Federal deadline. ​
  • Chamber Urges General Assembly to Remove Sunset from Transient Occupancy Tax January 21, 2020
          Letter to the House Finance Committee, January 21, 2020
          Letter to the House Finance Subcommittee, January 17, 2020
          Letter to the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee, January 13, 2020
​The Chamber encouraged the Virginia General Assembly support HB 62 and SB 107, bills which would remove the July 1, 2021 sunset from Arlington County’s additional 0.25 percent Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) that is dedicated to tourism promotion. The TOT surcharge funds tourism and travel promotion, drawing visitor spending into Arlington and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Arlington County and the Chamber have developed a great partnership in tourism promotion, and removing the sunset will allow for longer-range planning. Following the inclusion of a deduction for Global Intangible Low Tax Income (GILTI) and a 20% deduction on disallowed interest in the tax conformity bills, the Chamber joined with other businesses and organizations in encouraging the Governor to sign these two bills, HB 2529 and SB 1372, into law. The Chamber joined a coalition of businesses and trade associations to recommend that the General Assembly preserve the tax deductibility, at the state level, of Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (GILTI) and Net Interest Deduction. Although the new federal tax law has changed the treatment of these items, adding these deductions to the Commonwealth’s tax code would maintain a consistent policy in Virginia regarding overseas income and Net Interest Deduction. The Chamber sent a letter urging Governor Ralph Northam to approve H.B. 1204, related to assessing property devoted to open space use according to its current use. This legislation would bring Arlington assessments in line with neighboring jurisdictions and fairness to the process. The Chamber called on the Virginia House Finance Committee to renew the additional 0.25% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) for Arlington County. In individual letters to all 21 committee members, the Chamber explained tourism's role as a key driver of Arlington's economy, adding that renewing the TOT will help ensure that Arlington remains competitive in attracting travelers. On behalf of the Northern Virginia business community, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and other area chambers sent a letter to the Virginia General Assembly, requesting support for protection of budget priorities that were included in the 2016 budget. These priorities include GO Virginia grant and research funding, Workforce Credentials Program funding, Cost of Competing Adjustment (COCA) for school support positions, and salary increases for teachers and instructional staff. The Chamber sent a letter to the Virginia Senate Finance Committee, expressing its support of legislation that would reinstate the additional 0.25% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) for Arlington County. The Chamber wrote a letter to the Virginia House Finance Committee in support of legislation that would reinstate the additional 0.25% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) for Arlington County.​