Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has signed into law legislation that eliminates tax breaks for Confederate heritage organizations, marking the latest step in the state's efforts to distance itself from Confederate symbols and history.

The new law removes tax exemptions that had previously been granted to organizations focused on Confederate heritage and history. The measure represents the culmination of a multi-year Democratic-led initiative to reduce the state's ties to its Confederate past.

The legislation has drawn criticism from some political opponents, who have characterized Spanberger's policy agenda as departing from campaign promises focused on economic concerns. Critics have accused the governor of implementing what they term liberal tax policies that differ from her previous emphasis on affordability issues.

The law comes as Virginia has undertaken broader efforts in recent years to remove Confederate monuments and rename facilities that honored Confederate figures. These initiatives have been part of a statewide reassessment of how the Commonwealth commemorates its Civil War-era history.

The tax exemption changes will affect organizations across Virginia that had previously qualified for preferential tax treatment based on their focus on Confederate history and heritage activities.