State Sen. Janet Howell (D-32nd) on Nov. 30 filed legislation that would lift the sunset date that in past years has required Arlington officials to come to Richmond, hat in hand, for renewal of the authority to add a surtax on hotel stays to fund tourism-promotion efforts.
Howell’s measure is similar to one introduced by Del. Patrick Hope (D-47th). A two-thirds vote of each house of the legislature will be required for passage, since the measure applies to a single jurisdiction.
Currently, the Arlington government is empowered to add a 0.25-percent surtax on top of the 5-percent tax on hotel stays in its jurisdiction. The revenue – about $1 million a year – funds the county government’s tourism-promotion efforts.
