In Debate, Riley Shaia Endorses Corporate Tax Handouts That Would Cause School Funding Cuts

RICHMOND, Va. — Freedom Virginia today criticized Riley Shaia for stating her support for cutting taxes for corporations in Virginia during a Sept. 18 candidate forum.

“Lining the pockets of big corporations through costly corporate tax handouts, at the expense of funding our public schools, is something both voters and the legislature rejected this year. Yet Riley Shaia is doubling down on her support for policies that prioritize special interests over working families and schools,” said Freedom Virginia Executive Director Rhena Hicks. “If given the opportunity, it is clear that Shaia would vote in favor of tax cuts for big corporations instead of funding Henrico County public schools. We cannot allow Shaia to be elected to the House of Delegates.”

“Even House Republican budget negotiators quickly rejected permanent corporate tax cuts this summer, knowing how unpopular the proposal was with voters in Virginia,” continued Hicks. “Thankfully, this proposal was defeated and Virginia Democrats were able to secure over $900 million in funding for our public schools.”

During the debate, moderator Whittney Evans of VPM asked, “The governor proposed cutting the state’s corporate income tax rate from six percent to five percent… Do you support that tax cut?”

Shaia replied, “Yes, I do.”

Earlier this year, a Washington Post-Schar School poll found 75% of Virginians were against Governor Youngkin’s corporate tax cut proposal.

Cutting the corporate tax rate from six percent to five percent would have reduced revenue by $534.5 million over two years. Democrats successfully fought to allocate more than $900 million to public schools in this year’s budget, nearly $600 million more than was originally proposed by Gov. Youngkin.

Shaia’s response to the question on corporate tax cuts mirrored that of her fellow Republican Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE