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Northern Virginia transportation tax could affect pocketbooks, commutes of local residents. Date published: 10/27/2002
Arlington resident Marjorie Blakely is voting against it. Harlow T. Munson of Alexandria will vote for it. And Fredericksburg-area residents can't vote at all on the Nov. 5 referendum to raise taxes in Northern Virginia to pay for transportation projects--but the outcome of the election will be felt here as much as anywhere else. If the measure passes, the sales tax in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties, as well as the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park, would increase by one-half percent. In other words, the tax on a $50 sweater at the Ann Taylor outlet store at Potomac Mills would rise by 25 cents. So would the price of a nice dinner in Old Town Alexandria. Groceries and medicines would not be taxed. Tax supporters say the measure would cost the average family about 25 cents per day. The tax is estimated to generate $5 billion for regional transportation projects over the next 20 years. The tax would probably stay in place for about 38 years, or as long as it takes for the state to pay off bonds issued for some of the projects. A similar measure in Hampton Roads would increase the sales tax 1 percent, raising about $7.5 billion for transportation efforts over the next two decades. If the Northern Virginia referendum doesn't pass, the taxes don't increase. But officials in Richmond say that improvements to Interstates 95, 395 and 495 as well as a host of other projects simply won't be done. Commuters to Washington and Northern Virginia are affected either way. Supporters say the tax is necessary to prevent further gridlock on clogged roads and to improve public transit opportunities. The Virginia Railway Express would get $100 million for new rail cars if the measure passes. "I don't favor higher taxes generally, but I think this is necessary," said Munson, a retired CIA employee and Alexandria resident for 46 years. Though the tax is supported heavily by developers, road builders and other contractors, plenty of residents like Munson have sent $15 and $25 contributions to groups campaigning for the tax.
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