Because Petersburg has a predominant black population (which votes heavily Democratic), the city has been a Democratic stronghold. It is represented by Joseph Preston in the House of Delegates (63rd District) and Rosalyn R. Dance in the State Senate (16th District). Both Preston and Dance are Democrats. Six of the City Council representatives are confirmed Democrats including the mayor and vice-mayor. All the local constitutional officers are also Democrats. In 2008, Petersburg gave the second-largest percentage of votes for the Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama than any other municipality in the nation.
PETERSBURG, Va. (AP) — The Petersburg City Council has approved tax increases aimed at closing the city’s $12 million budget gap.
Local news organizations report that the seven-member council voted Tuesday to raise the lodging tax from 6 percent to 10 percent, the meals tax from 6 percent to 7 percent, the cigarette tax from 10 cents per pack to 90 cents and the monthly trash-removal fee from $14 to $20.
The council decided to defer a proposed personal property tax increase to the next meeting.
Vice Mayor Samuel Parham says Gov. Terry McAuliffe made it clear that Petersburg must overcome the crisis on its own, without financial assistance from the state.
The council’s decision won’t take effect until Oct. 1.
PETERSBURG, Va. (AP) — The>
> Petersburg City Council has approved tax increases
> aimed at closing the city’s $12 million budget
> gap.
>
> Local news organizations report that the
> seven-member council voted Tuesday to raise the
> lodging tax from 6 percent to 10 percent, the
> meals tax from 6 percent to 7 percent, the
> cigarette tax from 10 cents per pack to 90 cents
> and the monthly trash-removal fee from $14 to
> $20.
>
> The council decided to defer a proposed personal
> property tax increase to the next meeting.
>
> Vice Mayor Samuel Parham says Gov. Terry McAuliffe
> made it clear that Petersburg must overcome the
> crisis on its own, without financial assistance
> from the state.
>
> The council’s decision won’t take effect until
> Oct. 1.