Nov. 17 Newsletter: Marijuana tax windfall coming?
Weather: The cold returns. High of 54.
On this date in 1992, the Richmond Education Association asks Superintendent Lucille M. Brown for $2.3 million to fix salary inequality after new teachers are hired at a higher pay scale than experienced ones.
Today's newsletter sponsored by Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU: A stronger future starts with healthier kids. Together, we can ensure that Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU is ready to meet the challenges of today, and tomorrow. Donate Today and help give kids the unstoppable care they deserve.
Legalizing marijuana could produce tax windfall for Richmond
Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger has voiced support for legalizing the sale of recreational marijuana, which could come with an 8% state sales tax.
Under a previous proposal, purchases in Richmond would also be subject to a 1% local sales tax, but the city would receive the option of adding an additional 2.5% tax.
"Legalization can play a huge role in reducing unnecessary criminalization that has disproportionately affected some communities," Mayor Danny Avula said. Read more here.
NEW: City officials report $22M surplus for the last budget year
The size of the surplus shows the city is in solid fiscal shape after years of population growth and new development, but the number is likely to revive debate over officials’ assertions the city can’t afford to cut residents a break on rising tax bills.
The latest surplus number — which was reported to the City Council over the weekend — exceeds the roughly $17.2 million cost of lowering Richmond’s property tax rate by four cents, which had been proposed earlier this year. Read more here.
With a new Southside hub, Richmond ToolBank is expanding its reach
The nonprofit, which operates out of a warehouse near Diversity Thrift in the Diamond District area, lends out tools to groups around Richmond to carry out projects that benefit the community.
Now, an agreement with the city will let it establish a hub at the Broad Rock Sports Complex to more easily get tools and equipment to organizations on the Southside. Read more here.
Former Anthem building on Staples Mill will change from parking and concrete into 'Kinsale Center,' a $500 million mixed-use project
Kinsale Capital Group, a specialty insurer, cut the ribbon on Phase 1 of its Kinsale Center development on Wednesday, a mixed-use development that will ultimately have apartments, office space and a hotel.
Henrico officials lauded the project, part of an initiative called Henrico Tomorrow, which focuses on "reimagining how underused or aging properties can serve a new generation of businesses and their employees." Read more here.
Today's sponsor:
For the last 105 years, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU has been providing the families of Virginia and the world with expert pediatric care. Considered a top 50 children's hospital by U.S. News and World Report in 8 of 11 ranked subspecialities, as well as a top 10 children’s hospital in the Mid-Atlantic region, CHoR is dedicated to providing unstoppable care for kids in every possible way.
A stronger future starts with healthier kids. Together, we can ensure that Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU is ready to meet the challenges of today, and tomorrow. Donate Today and help give kids the unstoppable care they deserve.
In other news
- VCU changed scholarship for descendants of the enslaved to align with anti-DEI policies (VPM)
- Church Hill's Casey Mulroy, a breakout runner, wins Richmond Marathon (Times-Dispatch)
- Virginians get digital drivers' licenses (Axios)
The editor's desk
The VMFA is already dressed up for the holidays. Tacky lights are great, but I'm also a fan of keeping it simple.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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