Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) is leaving the door open to expanding taxes to a range of everyday services — from gym memberships to digital subscriptions — as she signals a willingness to rethink how the state generates revenue in a changing economy.
“I think every idea, as long as it’s reasonable and makes some amount of sense, should be discussed,” Spanberger said in a recent interview with a local ABC affiliate.
“I think there are worthy conversations to be had about what revenue generation looks like into the future as our economy changes in so many ways,” she added.
Her comments suggest the administration is open to exploring new tax structures that reflect how consumers increasingly spend money — particularly as traditional goods give way to services and digital products.
The remarks come as Spanberger faces criticism from former President Donald Trump, who has accused her of pushing a broad slate of tax increases.
“So sad! She is adding so many taxes: a food and beverage tax, digital services tax, utilities tax and more. People are leaving that would never have even thought of doing so!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
“This went from a thriving and powerful place to a commonwealth run by a person who has no concept of low taxes and economic strength.”
Those attacks are tied to several proposals introduced in the Virginia legislature that would expand the state’s sales tax to cover services such as storage facilities, counseling, dry cleaning, vehicle repair, website design, and data storage — including digital subscriptions.
However, the measures were originally introduced during the administration of Spanberger’s predecessor, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, and none advanced to a full vote before the General Assembly adjourned its session on March 14.
Spanberger has pushed back on claims that she has enacted sweeping tax hikes, calling Trump’s characterization inaccurate.
“The array of taxes that the president asserts move forward in Virginia is sort of ludicrous,” she said.
So far, the governor has approved only one major economic change: a law that gradually raises the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2028. She has not signed off on broader tax increases.
Still, Spanberger acknowledged that shifts in consumer behavior may require policymakers to revisit how the state collects revenue.
“You used to buy a DVD; there used to be sales tax. Streaming is different,” she said. “So, I recognize there’s value in having these conversations.”
Her comments underscore a broader debate playing out in Virginia and beyond: whether tax systems built around physical goods can keep pace with a modern, service-driven economy.
READ NEXT: Senate Candidate Arrested After Disturbing Threats Against Trump, Lawmaker’s Family Come To Light
That is what the democrats to best TAX AND SPEND, TAX AND SPEND, ETC, ETC, ETC
How about a “conversation “ about cutting government spending down to size.
That is why I didn’t vote for that lying bimbo! She made everyone think she was a moderate, and lied her way to our lovely governor!
There was once a time when the only ‘tax’ that Americans knew about was tariffs. People of the U.S. weren’t squeezed by a huge number of taxes as we are now!
Originally, when taxes were first introduced, they were only on the finished product that was bought by average people. Then taxes were put on the various parts that make up the finished product.
Soon there will be taxes on the air that we breathe.
Where does this tax money go? If that money was used for what we, as a nation NEED, and not what some politician wants, there would be much lower taxes on working people … more money in our pockets with which to buy these products ( and as such, more money paid in taxes on these products … but taxed at a lower rate ).
And the WASTE! A HUGE portion of OUR money goes to graft and waste!
This had better change SOON … or there will be new people in political office soon too. That means that there will be a whole bunch of unemployed politicians in this country!
Politicians … take note! Americans are way past being P.O.ed!