Casino bill advances in the state Senate
The Virginia Senate’s General Laws Committee passed a bill Jan. 22 that would authorize a casino in Tysons.
The measure (SB 982), introduced by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon) would permit Fairfax County to hold a public referendum on a casino.
While the legislation doesn’t specifically mention Tysons, the paraments it sets would limit the casino to a property Comstock Cos. owns near the Spring Hill Metro station.
Comstock is proposing a 6 to 8-million square-foot mixed-use entertainment district to include a casino, convention center, hotel, performing arts center, and multifamily housing.
The bill passed on a 9-3 vote. The measure next goes to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. Last year, that committee declined to act on a similar bill but recommended it be considered in 2025.
Related story: A proposed casino in Tysons – economic benefits vs. social ills
Proponents of the project say it will boost the county’s economy by generating more tax revenue, provide union jobs, and retain gamblers who now go to Maryland casinos.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors hasn’t taken a position on a casino. A key issue is the split between how much of the revenue from the casino will stay in the county or go to the state.
Members of the No Casino Coalition, a grassroots organization, traveled to Richmond earlier this week to lobby against the casino bill. They say a casino will lead to more crime in Tysons, damage the character of the neighborhood, and would not produce as much revenue as predicted.
The No Casino Coalition has chartered a bus to Richmond for Jan. 28 to lobby the Senate.
If the bill is to be enacted this year, the Senate must complete action on it by Feb. 4. It must clear both the Senate and House of Delegates by Feb. 20, and must reach the governor’s office by March 24.
2 responses to “Casino bill advances in the state Senate”
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The county representatives should listen to the residents who are opposed to this.
The General Assembly needs to pass SB 1287- Virginia Gaming Commission; established prior to passing an further casino initiatives. SB 1287 establishes the Virginia Gaming Commission as an independent agency of the Commonwealth, exclusive of the legislative, executive, or judicial branches of government, to oversee and regulate all forms of legal gambling in the Commonwealth except for the state lottery.
Before we move forward with specific casino initiatives from special interest groups we need to have a competent body in place to oversee these activities.