Hyland: Meals Tax Could Bring $80-$100 Million Annually

Will a 4 percent meals tax keep people from eating out in Fairfax County? 

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland wants the tax to go to referendum in November.

On Tuesday, he told the South County Federation that it would generate $80-$100 million annually, and the funds could lower the county's real estate tax rate (which just went up 1 cent).

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"We could then lower the tax rate by 2 cents and devote the rest to transportation or education," said Hyland at the monthly meeting. "It could be drafted in such a way that the Board is unable to use those funds in any way except for those purposes."

Arlington County, Alexandria City, Vienna, Herndon and Fairfax City have a meals tax. Still, the business community remains opposed to the tax. 

“We’ve never supported state legislation or board action that specifically targets a single industry,” said Christian Deschauer, the vice president of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce to Patch. “I’ve talked to a bunch of restaurants in the past week … and the message has not changed from them – they remain adamantly opposed. That’s just the initial feedback.”

• Read Fairfax County Meals Tax: Not a Chance, Some Voters

This is the eighth time that Hyland has proposed a meals tax to the Board of Supervisors.

• Eight Times a Charm: Mount Vernon Supervisor Hyland Proposes Meals Tax for Fairfax County... Again

The Board voted 7-3 against a meals tax in 2009, and in 1992, 57 percent of voters opposed it in a referendum.

"It's one way we can stop our reliance on the real estate tax. It's the worst way to raise funds," said Hyland. "Also, we'll find a way to tax the thousands of visitors and tourists who come to Fairfax County."  

What do you think about a meals tax? Tell us in the comments!