SB1307 proposed allowing all counties and cities in the state to impose an additional local sales-and-use tax of up to 1%, contingent upon voter approval through a local referendum. The revenue generated from this tax would have been dedicated exclusively to public-school capital projects, such as constructing new school buildings, renovating existing facilities, and upgrading infrastructure. The bill aimed to expand this taxing authority beyond the nine localities that previously had it.

The Virginia State Senate passed SB1307 on February 17, 2025 by a vote of 27 to 12. We have assigned pluses to the nays because sales taxes violate property rights, and allowing taxation by direct democracy—through voter referendum—represents a form of majority tyranny. This undermines the republican form of government the Constitution guarantees. Furthermore, taxpayers should not be compelled to fund public education. Education is not a legitimate function of government, but a personal responsibility and a fundamental parental right. Forcing citizens to subsidize a compulsory, failing, government-run K–12 system infringes on their individual liberties protected by the Bill of Rights. We strongly encourage parents to withdraw their children from government schools and pursue superior alternatives—such as homeschooling or private, patriotic institutions like FreedomProject Academy—which operate independently of government influence and funding.