Some Northern Virginia leaders say local economy is too dependent on federal government
March 14, 2025
As cuts are made at federal agencies, it’s essential that Northern Virginia considers alternative ways to draw business outside the scope of the federal government, Fairfax County leaders said during an Economic Initiatives Committee meeting this week.
Fairfax Co. leaders weigh possible plans for meals tax to offset $300 million budget shortfall
March 11, 2025
Facing a nearly $300 million budget shortfall for the next fiscal year, Fairfax County leaders are mulling over the decision to move forward with plans to adopt a meals tax. They’re still working on the details, but Virginia law allows jurisdictions to adopt a meals tax of up to 6%. The meals tax would apply to every meal sold from the county’s restaurants.
‘I Don’t Like This Budget’ Palchik Tells Town Hall Attendees
March 11, 2025
Supervisor Dalia Palchik didn’t mince words when asked about the Fairfax County Fiscal Year 2026 Budget proposal during Monday night’s Providence District Budget Town Hall meeting.
“I don't like this budget,” she told the 90 or so people in attendance at the Jim Scott Community Center in Fairfax. "I don't know what else to tell you. I'm not sure anyone in this room likes this budget. It's not a great budget. It's not what we hoped for.”
Fairfax County considers controversial food tax amid $300 million budget shortfall
March 11, 2025
Your breakfast, lunch, and dinner bill may go up in Fairfax County if the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors moves forward with implementing a food tax which many people in the restaurant industry oppose.
“This would be a permanent tax on food which I think is the last thing you want to tax,” Gary Cohen, with Glory Days Grill, told 7News.
County discusses revenue diversification, adding taxes
September 27, 2024
On Sept. 17, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors met with County Executive Bryan Hill and the Fairfax County Department of Management and Budget to discuss revenue diversification for the county.
Despite voters rejecting the idea in 1992 and 2016, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ most notable consideration is a countywide meals tax — but now, the new tax wouldn’t need to appear on a ballot. A Virginia state law passed in 2020 allowed jurisdictions to impose meal taxes without voter approval.
Fairfax County board considers proposed food tax despite $240 million surplus
September 25, 2024
If Fairfax County has a $240 million surplus, why is Fairfax County Board Chair Jeff McKay and the board of supervisors considering implementing a food tax in the county? It’s a question several people asked this week as McKay and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors decided to spend the county’s multi-million surplus on projects instead of giving tax relief to families.
Fairfax County considers meals tax
September 17, 2024
Restaurant workers demonstrated outside the Fairfax County, Virginia, government center Tuesday in opposition to a meals tax being considered by the Board of Supervisors to increase county revenue. A meals tax would be assessed on all prepared foods – including drinks sold along with them – from restaurants, cafeterias, coffee shops, food carts and ready-to-eat grocery items.
Fairfax County wants a new tax to pay for Chairman Jeff McKay’s $145,000 annual part-time salary and car
September 5, 2024
Fairfax County’s referenda to implement a meals tax, a fee imposed on the purchase of all prepared, ready-to-eat food and beverages, have failed on the ballots in 1992 (58% opposing) and 2016 (56% opposing). Beginning in 2020, the Virginia General Assembly, in all of its wisdom, allowed localities to pass such a tax without putting a referendum on the ballot directly to the voters.
Fairfax County restaurants ask customers to tell their supervisors to vote no on food tax
August 26, 2024
Fairfax County Board Chair Jeff McKay and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors are considering implementing a food tax. The board of supervisors is expected to discuss the food tax at their next meetings in September.
Contentious meals tax worries county’s small business owners
August 23, 2024
Small businesses, restaurant industry workers, and restaurant-goers are reeling at the possibility of a meals tax, which will be presented before the Board of Supervisors Budget Committee at its Sept. 17 meeting. Inflation and an increased real estate tax passed earlier this year already have residents feeling the squeeze. This new proposal was a bridge too far for some of its prominent opponents.