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Nov. 2 Newsletter: Know before you vote

Weather: Cloudy with a high of 64.

On this date in 1903, the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank, run by Maggie Walker, opened for business on St. James Street.

Today's newsletter sponsored by Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best pediatric facilities in the country, our efforts are made possible through the support of generous partners like you.

Should voters raise the sales tax to fund school maintenance? Here's what you need to know.

Voters in Richmond City and Chesterfield County will decide Tuesday whether to increase the sales tax by 1% to create a fund used exclusively to build new public schools and renovate existing ones.

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Chesterfield expects to raise about $65 million a year, while Richmond's haul would be closer to $50 million annually.

Richmond and Chesterfield have both indicated that if the referendum passes, they will issue bonds to borrow against future earnings. That means they would have a lump-sum amount of money to spend now, which would be paid down through tax revenues over the next 20 years. Read what advocates and opponents have to say here.

Election Day is Tuesday. Here’s what the Richmond area is voting on.

Congressional control is the big thing up for grabs in Tuesday’s midterm elections, but there are other issues and contests on the ballot in the Richmond area that have less to do with national politics. Read more on how to vote here.

  • In Richmond, former Virginia education secretary Anne Holton is trying to hold on to the 6th District seat she was appointed to earlier this year. She’s facing competition from longtime educator Jackie McDonough. (Read profiles of Holton and McDonough.)
  • In Chesterfield, Christina Brady and Elizabeth Schultz are competing for the Clover Hill District seat on the school board. (Read about that race)

Also in Chesterfield, Shannon Taylor (D) and incumbent Rob Wittman (R) have spent roughly $23.5 million on advertising — and it shows. As the candidates run a national race, can they keep Chesterfield's concerns front of mind?

Richmond wants your Halloween pumpkins. Here’s why.

This year, in an effort to keep spooky gourds out of the region’s landfills, Richmond is urging residents to make a different choice: Drop off your pumpkin at one of two locations in the city, and it will be either composted or sent to a pig farm. 

From Nov. 1 through Nov. 30, city residents can drop off their pumpkins at designated pumpkin collection points at the recycling centers at 1710 Robin Hood Rd. and 7400 Forest Hill Ave. Read more here.

Today's sponsor:

Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU is on an ever-growing quest to meet the needs of Virginia’s children and their families. From building out shell spaces and recruiting top pediatric specialists, to advancing research and expanding programs, our growth ensures we will always be there to help the next generation. But we can't do it alone. Rally with us to support unstoppable care for kids. Learn more at BuiltForKids.org.

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The editor's desk

The inaugural Richmonder Minigolf Invitational was a smash hit, with our staff getting a little downtime before this week's election frenzy. Congrats to winners Keiana and Lindsay, who finished with two holes-in-one on their way to victory.

Michael Phillips, founder
mphillips@richmonder.org

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