WEYERS CAVE -- Del. R. Steven Landes, R-Weyers Cave, today encourages all residents of the 25th House District to take advantage of Virginia’s First Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday set for Sunday, May 25 through Saturday, May 31, 2008. The Sales Tax Holiday was first initiated by Virginia Republicans during the 2007 General Assembly Session. Senate Bill 1167, introduced by Senator Kenneth W. Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, was adopted and signed by the Governor during the 2007 Session to be effective July 1, 2007 with the first holiday set to begin May 25, 2008.

     “The Commonwealth’s citizens know from past experiences the incredible damage and hardships Mother Nature can create,” said Landes. “I hope this sales tax holiday will be an incentive for all of us to become proactive and be better prepared as this year’s hurricane season approaches.”

     As families plan for the upcoming hurricane season, shoppers in Virginia can save on essential products including generators costing less than $1,000 and 22 other products selling for $60 or less each. These products include batteries, food-storage containers, first aid kits, duct tape, and bottled water. In addition, retailers may also voluntarily absorb the sale  tax on any other items in their stores for these seven days.

     For further details about the sales tax holiday, citizens may view the Virginia Department of Taxation website at http://www.tax.virginia.gov/site.cfm?alias=HurricanePreparednessEquipmentHoliday.

     Landes represents the 25th House District, which includes the City of Waynesboro, and portions of Albemarle, Augusta, and Rockingham Counties. He was first elected in 1995 and is now serving his seventh term in the Virginia House of Delegates.