While the rest of the country focused on the race for the presidency, Fairfax County voters quietly rejected a controversial proposition that would have generated about $99m of new annual revenue for the FCPS system.
The meals tax proposition, which would have levied a four percent tax on certain prepared foods at restaurants and other businesses, was defeated 56 percent to 44 percent on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Sophomore Bryce Hase said he was happy the measure failed.
“I liked that [they] declined it because I thought that it would hurt businesses in the area,” Hase said.
But junior Carolina McCabe disagreed.
“It’s disappointing students don’t value what their teachers are doing for such a low salary,” she said. “A small amount of money can make a big difference.”
Proponents of the tax lauded it as a way to supplement the FCPS budget, which has suffered numerous shortfalls in the last few years.
Some teachers said the generated revenue could have made teacher wages more competitive with surrounding counties. Currently, FCPS teachers earn $142,000 less than other nearby districts over a 30-year career, according to a recent compensation study conducted by Fairfax County.
English teacher Pierce Bello said he thinks the measure’s failure will perpetuate FCPS’ budget woes.
“I feel like there’s this opposition [between residents wanting] a great quality education and not being willing to pay for it,” Bello said. “It makes it harder for teachers like me to live in the area and support [the community] where they work without taking extra measures.
But opponents of the meals tax warned it would add upon the current six percent sales tax, essentially creating a 10 percent tax on all prepared foods that would drive business away and jeopardize the prosperity of small, local eateries.
“With the meals tax it would be hard for [small businesses] to maintain their restaurants,” sophomore Andrew Song said.