The Virginia Senate has authorised a invoice that might pave the way in which for a on line casino referendum in Tysons, sending the measure to the Home of Delegates for additional deliberation. The proposed laws, Senate Bill 982, handed with a 24-16 vote, sparking debate amongst lawmakers and neighborhood members over its potential financial advantages and native opposition.
If each chambers of the Normal Meeting cross the invoice and the governor indicators it into legislation, Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors could be approved to carry a public referendum on the development of a on line casino in Tysons. The proposal has been pushed partly by Comstock Holding Corporations, a Reston-based developer, which has spent over $1.5 million since 2023 to assist the initiative, in accordance with Patch.
Sen. Scott Surovell, the invoice’s chief sponsor, has emphasised the monetary benefits a on line casino may carry to the state. “A Fairfax on line casino would generate $1.8 billion for the state if it did just about simply in addition to the MGM On line casino throughout the river, which most individuals suppose it might,” Surovell said throughout a current Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee listening to. He additionally highlighted the potential advantages for Fairfax County, together with further tax income and financial growth alternatives.
Regardless of these arguments, Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors has not expressed assist for the measure. Board Chair Jeff McKay reiterated this stance in a letter to state lawmakers, stating that the county didn’t request the invoice’s authority and expressing considerations over linking on line casino income to actual property tax aid. McKay additionally pointed to a state funding shortfall of over $568 million for Okay-12 schooling in Fairfax County, arguing that resolving this deficit would do extra to decrease actual property taxes than casino-generated income.
Opposition and Group Issues
The on line casino proposal has met important resistance from native officers and residents. Sen. Saddam Salim, who represents the realm the place the on line casino could be positioned, opposed the measure, citing robust neighborhood disapproval. “Over simply the previous two weeks, my workplace has acquired roughly 1,300 emails and calls on this subject—lower than 0.008% of which have been in assist,” he stated. Salim additionally criticized the invoice for favoring a single developer and limiting competitors.
Native advocacy teams have additionally voiced their opposition. The No Fairfax County On line casino Coalition, together with Nationwide Safety Leaders for Fairfax, has been actively lobbying against the proposal. Paula Martino, president of the Tysons Stakeholders Alliance, argued that the laws is being pressured upon the neighborhood with out ample public backing. “This Tysons on line casino laws continues to be rammed down the throats of Fairfax County and Tysons-area residents, and we don’t need it,” Martino said in accordance with Virginia Business.
A degree of competition raised throughout Senate discussions was whether or not the invoice’s language successfully preselected a developer. Sen. Jennifer Boysko questioned whether or not it might restrict the Board of Supervisors to contemplating only one developer. Surovell responded by suggesting that a minimum of one different property inside Tysons may meet the invoice’s standards.
Subsequent Steps for the Laws
The invoice’s development means it now heads to the Home of Delegates, the place lawmakers should determine its destiny earlier than the legislative crossover deadline. If authorised, the on line casino referendum would permit Fairfax County voters to find out whether or not a gaming facility must be in-built Tysons. Nonetheless, with mounting public opposition and skepticism from native officers, the proposal faces appreciable hurdles earlier than it will possibly grow to be legislation.
Lawmakers have till Tuesday to finalize the invoice earlier than every chamber considers the opposite’s laws. The Virginia Normal Meeting is ready to adjourn on February 22, leaving restricted time for deliberation on this contentious subject.
Johnny Okay.
