Think tanks target taxes as bill deadline arrives

(The Center Square) – Speakers at an event held at the Capitol on Monday warned that labor, energy and tax proposals could increase costs for businesses and residents as first-term Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger faced a deadline to act on legislation passed during the General Assembly session.

They also referenced other states, including Tennessee and North Carolina, as examples of places with lower taxes and fewer regulations they said are drawing residents and businesses.

“Those three bills alone will increase the cost of employment in Virginia by 22%,” said Derrick Max, president of the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy. “That is not affordability. That is economic suicide.”

Max was referring to legislation raising the state’s minimum wage, expanding paid sick leave requirements and creating a paid family and medical leave program.

Max said the policies would be especially difficult for small businesses and rural communities that may not have the resources to absorb additional labor costs...