Abigail Spanberger Opens Door to Taxes on Gym Memberships, Streaming
Virginia Gov. abigail spanberger said taxes on gym memberships, digital subscriptions and dog grooming should be discussed, leaving open the possibility of future service taxes in the state. She made the comments in a recent interview with a local ABC affiliate, saying revenue options should be considered as the economy changes.
Spanberger on revenue choices
“I think every idea, as long as it’s reasonable and makes some amount of sense, should be discussed,” Spanberger said. She added, “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.”
Those remarks put a direct spotlight on a tax debate that has already reached Virginia lawmakers. Bills in the state legislature would extend taxes to storage facilities, counseling, dry cleaning, vehicle repair, website design, data storage, and digital subscription storage.
Virginia tax bills stall
The bills were first introduced during the tenure of Spanberger’s predecessor, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, but they never reached the floor of the General Assembly for a vote before the state’s legislative session ended on March 14. That leaves the discussion at the statement stage for now, with no legislative action advancing from those proposals in the most recent session.
Spanberger has yet to sign off on any new state-based increases apart from a bill that will raise the minimum wage incrementally to $15 an hour by 2028. On taxes, she said, “The array of taxes that the president asserts move forward in Virginia is sort of ludicrous,” after Donald Trump accused her in a Truth Social post of adding “so many taxes.”
Trump’s Virginia attack
Trump wrote, “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!” He also wrote, “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.”
Spanberger’s remarks suggest the next fight will center on which services, if any, should be treated as taxable as Virginia looks for future revenue. For consumers and businesses tied to gym memberships, digital subscriptions and other service industries, the practical question is whether those ideas stay in conversation or become legislation that reaches the floor next time.
