CIGARETTE TAX GOES DOWN, SCHOOLS ARE HELLA MAD, A COUNCILMAN TEARS UP, WHAT NOW?

It got real at last night’s #RVACouncil meeting. The cigarette tax debate took center stage and the drama was high. The end result was not nearly as dramatic. The tax proposed by Councilman Parker Agelasto went down on a 6-3 vote. Voting in favor of the 80-cent, per pack, tax was Agelasto (5th), Council President Chris Hilbert (3rd) and Kristen Larson (4th). Voting against the tax were Addison (1st), Gray (2nd), Roberston (6th), Newbill (7th), Trammell (8th), and Jones (9th). For those not familiar with this blog and our podcast, Councilman Jones gave some insight on the cigarette tax weeks ago during our exclusive interview.

It is true that Richmond is the only major city in the state that does not levy a cigarette tax. More than 90 other Virginia localities have one. And Virginia has one of the lowest state cigarette tax in the nation. Yet, it is also true that Richmond City schools are in desperate need of capital repairs and last night’s vote potentially left $5.3 million off the table.

Until last night’s meeting, this particular fight seemed less contiguous and less talked about than the meals tax. And yes, I’m guilty of that too here on The Cheats Movement. I posted regularly my support of the meals tax and this is my first post about the cigarette tax. So, yes. I’m guilty of not paying major attention. But I couldn’t turn away from last night’s drama. I will admit, going into the debate, I felt the cigarette tax proposal was in retaliation for the meals tax passing. And while I don’t smoke and would choose school funding over the cigarette lobby, that vibe turned me off to the proposal from the start.

The Richmond City School Board said it needs $31 million for the upkeep of schools for the upcoming school year. Mayor Stoney’s budget proposes 1.5 million. Do I need to do the math? Wow.

This proposal was only $5.3 million. So, in a way, that plays into the talking points of those who opposed the proposal, right? Those opposed to the proposal stated that the time for one-offs is over. Why did they draw that line in the sand yesterday? Your guess is as good as mine. But as Council Vice President Newbill stated it last night, ” We can’t continue to do one-offs and piecemeal,” said Newbille. “That’s not fair to our parents, to our teachers. That’s not fair to our students.”

So, where do we go from here? I can’t take another study. Knock that nonsense off. I think most people, within City Hall and in the general public, know what the problem is. And I agree with Councilman Newbill and others that the time for one-offs is over. But the question is, can a comprehensive plan to improve the funding gap for our schools be identified and approved? I am optimistic that it can be but it will require compromise. The current patterned of placing businesses against schools can’t survive.

Is there a way to bring everyone to the table? I think this sounds like a great mission for our Mayor, right? And that is not shade to the Mayor, I strongly believe that Mayor Stoney wants the absolute best for RPS. I believe the Mayor wants a comprehensive plan, the School Board wants it, and the majority of Council wants it, just at what cost can it get done? More on this in the days and weeks ahead.

Last thought, for those who took a sigh of relief last night after the vote. I think any future comprehensive plan will include a cigarette tax. How can it not?

Let me know you’re thoughts on last night’s vote and tell me where do we go from here.

#WESEEIT