Pass the Meals Tax

News flash!

Our roads are way too congested and there is absolutely no money – I mean nada – for the maintenance of our secondary road system, which basically means my block. Meanwhile, our governor, Big Mac McDonnell (who loves to remind us that he used to live up here) now wants to shift maintenance responsibilities to the local governments. That would cost Fairfax about $100 million annually, give or take a few million. And that is why the Board of Supervisors recently started talking about imposing a four percent meals tax that would raise about $80 million – give or take a few million -  to help pay for that additional responsibility.   

In the past, proposals to increase the meals tax have not fared well. In 1992, county voters turned the proposal down by a wide margin. Then, in 2009 Supervisor Hyland may have jumped the gun a little when he made a rather sudden motion to approve a 4% tax and earmark it for the school budget. But it went down on a 7-3 vote (including some Democrats, even though we are constantly reminded that Democrats LOVE to increase taxes).

In response to the current discussion, Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay said that "All this would do is allow us to do is take on a state responsibility that they don't want to do anymore and to tax our residents." Yep, that’s right Jeff. But we’re more likely to get a new cell phone tower up here before Richmond finally decides to give us back all of that money that we send them every year.  So, you know it ain’t gonna happen. And then, one hot February weekend, as everyone is headed for the beach, the traffic will just stop dead in its tracks. 

County Executive Tony Griffin has suggested imposing the meals tax for four years, sunset it, list the projects that would be built with the funds and then come back in four years with a new list. Even Braddock District Supervisor John Cook, a Republican, is open to discussing a meals tax.  I think that’s a great idea. I’m sure Tony is thrilled to have my endorsement.  

Now, before anyone starts whining about how this would be bad for restaurants on Route One, uh, excuse me, Richmond Highway, how Roy’s and Chevys and that new broiled chicken place (no, not that one, the other one) will be forced to close their doors, think about it for a minute. 

The reality is that people will still go to restaurants.I mean, c’mon, are you not going to go to the grand opening of the new “Taiwanese Chicken & Dumpling BBQ” because you’ll have to pay an extra eighty cents on your $20.00 bill?  Also, if you don’t want to pay the tax, don’t go to a restaurant. If you’re a tea partyer, just take out your “Newt Gingrich’s Right Wing Cooking” recipe book, grab a brew and nuke that grill. Then, sit back and take advantage of those newly paved roads that were paid for by those of us who need to get out of the house every so often.      

A few years ago, I polled a number of restaurant owners about this tax and they unanimously scoffed at the idea that they would lose business. The problem, of course, is that groups like the National Restaurant Association might feel obligated to “protect” their members and come in big time against the proposal. I say bring it on. Folks, we gotta do something about our road system. Yes, it’s their fault but stop whining about Richmond or elsewhere. Our elected officials (and their constituents) need to take the bull by the horns and give us the chance to vote for – and approve – a meals tax. 

Then we can all celebrate at the beach!