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.
11 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.
DSJ (who commented at 3:33 pm on January 23) is absolutely correct. There are too many moving parts with respect to different types of gaming options around the state, and state legislators and others need to consider how these pieces fit together. A casino at Tysons will reduce demand for some of the other gaming establishments that were or are being established around Virginia. Those casinos and gaming establishments were located in venues that did not have strong economic fundamentals. In contrast, Tysons Corner is the economic engine for the commonwealth, and research shows that it would make no sense to put a casino in that type of environment.
It’s not something they need in Tysons. I sort of understand the one that just opened in Dumfries because that area could use some revitalization.
Why stop at casinos? Legalize prostitution, decriminalize all drugs – in the new “Tyson’s Progressive Zone” –
Tbh, I’d rather the state legalize prostitution and most drugs than have a casino.
You are correct Mark. Fairfax County Government needs to diversify its sources of revenue and not rely so much on property taxes.
In addition, Fairfax County Public Schools are badly underfunded. Too many Fairfax County children are being educated in old, poorly maintained buildings, or permanent, so-called temporary, aluminum shacks.
Worst of all, Fairfax County seriously underpays its teachers, and as a result finds it hard to retain the best teachers.
The very successful and well-run State of Illinois (“The Land of Lincoln”) is moving forward with legalizing and recognizing the dignity of sex work. Fairfax County shouldn’t remain a stagnant conservative backwater, and should instead join Illinois in leaning forward toward becoming ever more progressive.
LOL. Fairfax pays and spends more than just about anyone else in VA for teachers and schools. It is what they do with the money that is the problem, with mixed results. A casino is not going to help here. Moreover Fairfax Board of Supervisors and the county regulations/ administration are set up to help/ deal with large corporations. Any small to middle sized businesses are SOL when dealing with Fairfax government. When economic growth starts with small and medium sized businesses.
The BoS acts like they care about traffic until a proposal comes that would take in more tax money for them to spend. I doubt that people are going to walk and ride their bikes to the Tysons Casino. It would add to the traffic problems around Tysons as well as generate an increase in crimes related to the area. This needs to be stopped.
Thank you General assemy
Make Virginia Maryland Again!