Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signaled she’s open to discussing new taxes on services as the state wrestles with shifting revenue sources, drawing sharp Republican criticism and some high-profile pushback. Her comments, including several verbatim lines, came amid debate over bills that would broaden taxable services and as she distances herself from being labeled a tax hawk while warning that any change depends on legislative language. The reaction from conservatives, including a public reproach from former President Trump, framed the conversation as a warning about tax growth and economic consequences. Below are the details and direct quotes that drove the story.
Abigail Spanberger said she would consider ideas to tax services as the economy changes, and she made room for debate rather than promising any specific policy. “I think every idea, as long as it’s reasonable and makes some amount of sense, should be discussed,” Spanberger
“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.” That phrasing underlines a willingness to explore new revenue streams like digital subscriptions and personal services, which alarms fiscal conservatives. From a Republican perspective, opening that door invites creeping tax expansions that hit everyday people more than big targets.
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The political blowback was immediate and pointed. “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!” Trump said in a post to Truth Social.
“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.” That line encapsulates GOP concern: any hint of broadening the tax base is spun as a threat to business climate and individual wallets. Republicans say taxing services like gym memberships, streaming and grooming targets middle-class spending and undercuts growth.
The bills under scrutiny were introduced at the statehouse and would, if passed, extend sales taxes to a long list of services: storage, counseling, dry cleaning, vehicle repair, website design, data storage and digital subscriptions. Those measures did not reach a final vote before the legislature adjourned, and that delay gave Spanberger room to argue she has not actually signed anything into law.
Spanberger points to that record to counter the tax-happy label, noting she has not approved new statewide tax increases beyond certain wage policy changes. Notably, apart from a bill that will raise the minimum wage incrementally to $15 an hour by 2028, Spanberger has yet to sign off on any new state-based increases — a record she believes Trump is misrepresenting.
“The array of taxes that the president asserts move forward in Virginia is sort of ludicrous,” Spanberger said. That defense is meant to separate talk from action, but from the right it rings hollow because exploring tax ideas is presented as the start of a slippery slope. Republicans argue that even debating taxes on services normalizes expanded taxation and sets the stage for future levies.
Spanberger also framed the conversation as one about economic change, using the media shift as an example to justify revisiting old tax rules. “You used to buy a DVD; there used to be sales tax. Streaming is different. So, I recognize there’s value in having these conversations,” Spanberger said, highlighting how services and digital goods have altered the tax landscape.
Spanberger insists that any action would depend on the specific language of bills and not happen automatically. “Whether I would ever sign a bill is wholly dependent on what is actually in the bill and how it is outlined,” Spanberger said. Republicans remain skeptical and are treating the comments as a warning sign that the governor may be more amenable to broadening Virginia’s tax base than she claims.
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