Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has expressed openness to considering Democratic tax proposals on services like gym memberships, streaming subscriptions, and dry cleaning. The bills, introduced earlier this year, stalled in the General Assembly without a vote. Spanberger campaigned on affordability but emphasized discussing revenue options amid economic changes.
Democratic lawmakers in Virginia introduced bills earlier this year to expand sales tax to various services, including gym memberships, storage facilities, dog walking, counseling, vehicle and home repairs, dry cleaning, digital subscriptions, and more. Additional proposals targeted gun and ammunition sales as well as fees on delivery drivers for services like DoorDash and Uber Eats. According to the governor's office, these bills never came up for a vote and have stalled in the state General Assembly. None have been enacted into law. Spanberger told a local ABC affiliate that such ideas warrant discussion. “I think there are worthy conversations to be had about what revenue generation looks like in the future as our economy changes in so many ways,” she said. She added sympathy for taxing streaming services, noting, “you used to buy a DVD, there’d be a sales tax. Streaming is different. And so I recognize that there’s value in having these conversations.” President Trump criticized Spanberger in a Truth Social post last month, writing, “I can’t believe what this new Governor, Spanberger, has done to the Commonwealth — So sad!” Her office dismissed the claims as misinformation, with Spanberger calling the assertions that the taxes are moving forward “ludicrous.” She said any decision to sign a bill would depend on its details.
