Virginia Governor Signs Bill Stripping Tax Exemptions for Confederate Organizations
In a landmark decision on Monday, Virginia's Governor Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat and the state's first female governor, enacted a bill that eliminates property tax exemptions for organizations connected to the Confederacy. The signing ceremony took place in Williamsburg, Virginia, on February 24, 2026, symbolizing a pivotal moment in the state's ongoing efforts to address its historical legacy.
Targeted Groups and Legislative Details
The legislation, known as HB167, was passed by Democratic majorities in both the Virginia House and Senate. It specifically removes several groups from the state's list of tax-exempt organizations, including the Virginia division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC), the Stonewall Jackson Memorial, the Virginia division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the Confederate Memorial Literary Society. This move forces these entities to pay property taxes, marking a significant financial shift.
Founded in 1894, the UDC is a non-profit organization with chapters across multiple states such as California, Kentucky, and South Carolina. Historically, the UDC has been instrumental in erecting Confederate statues and monuments nationwide following the US Civil War. According to recent tax filings published by ProPublica, the group reported over $2.1 million in revenue, $1.1 million in expenses, and $15.8 million in assets in 2025, highlighting its substantial financial footprint.
Political and Historical Context
Delegate Alex Askew, who sponsored versions of this bill for three consecutive years, hailed its passage as a proud and progressive step for Virginia. In a statement, he emphasized that Governor Spanberger's action represents an important move forward in reshaping the state's reputation. Richmond and Danville, both in Virginia, served as capitals for the 11 slaveholding states that seceded from the Union during the Civil War, underscoring the deep historical ties to the Confederacy.
However, the bill has faced opposition from Confederate-affiliated groups. Julie N Hardaway, president general of the UDC, warned in a statement after the Virginia House passed the bill in February that it could set a precedent leading to other historical museums losing tax-exempt status and potentially opening the door for legal challenges.
Broader Implications and National Trends
In recent years, Confederate memorials have become focal points for protests against racial injustice, with states like South Carolina and Mississippi removing Confederate symbols from public spaces. At the national level, former President Donald Trump has advocated for reinstating some Confederate monuments, and his defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, reverted renamed army bases to their original Confederate names following Trump's return to office last year.
Despite this pushback, Virginia lawmakers continue to advance their agenda. Last week, Governor Spanberger signed another bill discontinuing specialty license plates featuring Robert E Lee and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Additionally, she sent a bill to the assembly that would establish a taskforce at the Virginia Military Institute to recommend ways for the college to distance itself from sanitized narratives about the Confederacy.
This legislative push reflects a broader effort to confront and recalibrate Virginia's historical identity, moving away from glorified interpretations of the Confederacy towards a more inclusive and accurate representation of its past.
