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Dear Editor, 

I am writing regarding the story related to a sales tax increase to help pay for repairs for our local schools.

Commonwealth Strategy Group is going to be paid $5,000 per month to lobby for an increase in the local sales tax.  The exact same group which was paid previously for the exact same thing, and failed.  One definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.

The Virginia Lottery paid $2,085,806 to Prince Edward County in FY 2023. What was that money utilized for concerning our schools?

If this sales tax is approved, it will be permanent.  I agree that no one wants property taxes raised as that too would be permanent.

The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Commission since its establishment in 1934, Virginia ABC has contributed $12 billion to the commonwealth’s general fund supporting major education, health and transportation initiatives.  What percentage of that money has gone to Prince Edward County for its schools?

Here’s a novel idea – get rid of the VA ABC and open it up, and the taxes it will generate, to private business.  There is one VA ABC store in Prince Edward County.  Open more privately run stores and generate more sale tax with the appropriate percentage dedicated to educational funding.

I believe an in-depth review of all funds utilized for our schools needs to be performed. I understand that there are many factors involved with the school budgets; teachers salaries, sports, education materials and so forth.

When was the last time there was a decrease in the sales tax? I’ll wait.

Jim Petrous

Farmville