Leaders in the Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday announced three new co-patrons for HB 2529, legislation sponsored by Delegate Tim Hugo that will offer tax relief to millions of middle class Virginians. The new co-patrons are Delegate Dickie Bell, Delegate Chris Peace and Delegate Joe McNamara, all of whom introduced tax relief legislation of their own.
“I am proud of our team for working together to develop a commonsense approach to protect middle class taxpayers from the hidden tax increase proposed by Governor Northam,” said Speaker Kirk Cox (R – Colonial Heights). “By adding these co-patrons we are sending a message that Republicans are unified around a piece of legislation that stands in stark contrast to the ideas and proposals being presented by the Democrats.”
The legislation allows taxpayers to itemize their state taxes regardless of how they file their federal return. This will allow middle-class families to receive the maximum amount of tax relief at the federal and state level. This will protect over 600,000 middle-class tax filers from a hidden tax increase.
The proposal will also increases the state standard deduction from $3,000 to $4,000 for an individual and from $6,000 to $8,000 for a married couple. This will provide broad tax relief for 2.7 million Virginians who claim the standard deduction. This plan will fully implement the federal tax cuts at the state level, protecting a middle class family that itemizes from what could be an $805 tax increase or providing an additional $115 in tax relief to a family that chooses the standard deduction.
“I welcome my fellow delegates as co-patrons to this important legislation as we show that we stand united against increasing taxes on middle class families,” said Delegate Tim Hugo (R-Fairfax), the bill’s patron. “Even after providing our hard-working teachers, first responders, and other blue-collar workers with tax relief, the state will still have more money for education, transportation and other key services than it did last year. Once again, our plan says “no” to a tax hike on the middle class.”
“The people of Virginia deserve to keep as much of their hard earned money in their pockets as possible,” said Dickie Bell (R – Staunton). “This plan will return money to hard working taxpayers while Governor Northam’s plan forces families to pay hundreds of dollars in higher taxes and uses that money to drastically increase government spending.”
“The most important thing when we talk tax policy is ensuring the Trump Tax Cuts are able to be fully implemented in Virginia,” said Delegate Chris Peace (R – Hanover). “I look forward to working in a unified manner to give tax dollars back to the people of Virginia and allow them to decide how best to spend their money, not the Government.”
“People I spoke with on the campaign trail consistently shared with me how tired they are of higher taxes to fund runaway Government spending,” said Delegate Joe McNamara (R – Roanoke). “This plan stands in clear contrast to Governor Northam’s $1.2 billion tax hike and $2.2 billion spending plan.”