1. Why State Policy Matters
November 11, 2016
Michael Cassidy, President & CEO
The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis

2. Our State Budget: Choices for our Future

3. Education

4. Transportation

5. Libraries, Parks, and Recreation

6. Public Safety

7. Clean Air, Safe Drinking Water

8. Prisons and Courts

9. Health Care and Public Health

10. Human Services

11. Public Investment Has Fallen

12. K-12 Schools Are Still Down

13. College Students Face Higher Costs=
We all know about rising tuition and fees at public colleges and universities. What we sometimes forget is that every Virginia college and university has faced significant cuts since 2008 in state funding per student after adjusting for inflation. As the state has reduced its role, students and their families are facing a higher share of the costs of getting a higher education.

14. Why the State Matters
Discuss how Virginia counties are best considered agencies of the state government, using example of needing to go to general assembly for grass cutting ordinances

15. Limits on Local Taxing Authority
Type of Tax
Allowed in Virginia cities and counties?
Cap for cities?
Cap for counties?
Real Property
Yes
None
Personal Property
General Sales 1%
BPOL gross receipts
Varies
Restaurant Meals
Limited for counties
none 4%
Public Service Corporation Property
local real estate rate
Consumer Utility
20%, w/other caps
Hotel and Motel Room 2%
Other
Individual income tax
Not allowed
Corporate income tax
The state limits both the rates and types of taxes that Virginia cities and counties can levy, and places greater limits on counties than on cities.

16. Median Household Income
Local Capacity Varies
Median Household Income

17. State Policy Change Could Help Many

18. And Progress Can Be Made

19. Questions. michael@thecommonwealthinstitute. org www
Questions?
Michael Cassidy, President & CEO The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis