He later commented on the political division that racial segregation caused — as he entered the Senate , 19 Democrats were willing to close the public schools to prevent racial integration , and he was among the 19 Democrats classified as " liberal " because they wanted to keep the public schools open , as did the Senate 's two Republicans ( James Turk of Radford and Floyd Landreth of Carroll County ) . Initially , Hopkins fought to repeal the poll tax , which had prevented many African Americans , as well as poor whites , from voting . Also , the Byrd Organization 's focus on low taxes had resulted in few social services and problem roads . Slowly , taxes were levied : first on cigarettes , whisky and beer , as well as two cents per gallon of gas during the Almond administration . Governor Albertis Harrison managed to pass the first income tax . As the Byrd Organization crumbled , Hopkins helped Governor Mills E. Godwin Jr. ( 1966-1970 ) make Virginia 's social service infrastructure competitive with other states . The Virginia Community College System was established so Virginians would not have to travel more than 50 miles to receive higher education . To achieve this parity , Virginia enacted a sales tax , as well as improved roads by increased licensing fees . Hopkins also led Virginia 's delegation to the 1968 Democratic National Convention , and won re-election despite the Republican landslide in 1969
1968 Democratic National Convention
1968 Democratic National Convention
William B. Hopkins