The Civil War happened more than 160 years ago. But members of the General Assembly are still trying to untangle some of the vestiges of it.
The United Daughters of the Confederacy does not pay recordation taxes in Virginia, an exemption that has come under fire in recent years. Last year, Delegate Alex Askew of Virginia Beach had a bill that would eliminate that exemption and the governor vetoed it.
"I was deeply disappointed when he decided to veto this legislation last year. A tax exemption is a privilege and not a right," Askew says. "To block this legislation is a choice, one that says support for these organizations is more important than the burden they cause taxpayers."
Now, he's trying again, although the governor seems poised to veto it again this year. Senator Lamont Bagby of Henrico County says maybe opponents of the tax break will have better luck next year with a new governor. In fact, he says, next year might even be an ideal time to remove the three Confederate statues currently in Capitol Square.
"It's my hope that we do it next year," Bagby says. "And it's also my hope that we have a governor that's willing to work with us on a lot of this stuff as we upgrade the lawn."
Upgrading the lawn, he says, would require not just moving the three Confederate statues in Capitol Square, but replacing them with new statues. For now, he says, they’re considering which individuals might take their place.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
