Fairfax County Supervisors Take Formal Place on Tysons On line casino
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors says they weren’t aware about legislative discussions about doubtlessly permitting a on line casino resort in Tysons. That’s earlier than a robust state Senator filed a invoice in Richmond earlier this month.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors pose for {a photograph} forward of their first assembly on Jan. 23, 2024. The native authorities officers in Virginia have formally come out in opposition to legislative efforts to convey a on line casino to Tysons. (Picture: Fairfax County)
On Friday evening — dealing with the wrath of residents for seemingly not taking a place on Virginia state Sen. David Marsden’s (D-Fairfax) public help for a on line casino in Tysons — Fairfax supervisors informed their constituents the legislative push was information to them, too.
What occurred right here is that individuals in a vacuum labored on a plan and went to Richmond with out coordinating with Fairfax County,” Jeff McKay, the chair of the county board, informed DC Information Now. “None of these teams have come formally, sat down with me and stated, ‘Hey, right here’s what we’re proposing. That is what our invoice appears to be like like. Will Fairfax County have interaction in conversations with us?’”
The vast majority of the county supervisors expressed opposition towards a potential on line casino in Tysons. The supervisors subsequently drafted and despatched a letter to a number of state lawmakers to specific the county’s hostility to Marsden’s gaming laws.
County Submits Place
Within the county’s letter by McKay, the supervisors say they didn’t instantly take a place on the rumored on line casino laws. That’s as a result of Virginia is a Dillon Rule state that restricts native governments’ authority. The chair stated that’s why the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors doesn’t sometimes embrace or oppose laws.
Nevertheless, in relation to a potential on line casino, the supervisors say they need to have a seat on the desk.
“In contrast to different jurisdictions that acquired the authority to carry a referendum to host a on line casino, Fairfax County didn’t search such authority and has not been substantively concerned within the improvement of the on line casino idea envisioned by stakeholders and the patron of the laws,” McKay wrote to Home Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth), Home Majority Chief Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria), Home Minority Chief Todd Gilbert (R-Woodstock), Senate Majority Chief Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon), and Senate Minority Chief Ryan McDougle (R-Mechanicsville).
It seemingly comes as no shock to you that the placement and idea included within the laws and reported within the media has generated vital neighborhood concern and opposition,” McKay continued. “Moreover, since a neighborhood engagement course of was not performed previous to the invoice being launched because it was in different jurisdictions, we consider the invoice in its present type is more likely to end in robust neighborhood opposition to the long run referendum.”
McKay countered Marsden’s claims {that a} on line casino is required to save lots of Fairfax County’s property tax base, which was dealt income setbacks due to COVID-19 and extra employees being allowed to telework. McKay stated the supervisors “are assured that Tysons is poised for continued success” and can proceed to draw new companies to its many workplace buildings.
McKay didn’t ask for any motion by the lawmakers however as a substitute stated the board determined to submit the unsolicited testimony about its stance on the on line casino dilemma.
Widespread Opposition
County supervisors stated Friday that they’ve fielded a slew of opposition from neighborhood members and little help.
“I’m not listening to numerous various things from my constituents. I’m listening to uniformed opposition,” stated Fairfax Supervisor James Bierman, representing the Dranesville District.
McKay stated the 4 different casinos authorised in Virginia obtain only a quarter of the gross income received by the home.
“If this on line casino generated $200 million and solely $50 million of that got here again to Fairfax County, and I used to be left with all the issues associated to a on line casino? That’s not an excellent deal for my taxpayers. We’re not on this to be the state’s ATM.”
Marsden stated he’s been publicly discussing the thought of authoring laws to designate Fairfax as a on line casino host for over a yr. He says the on line casino can be just one aspect of the challenge, because the vacation spot would additionally convey much-needed nightlife, leisure, and a big conference heart to Tysons.
Marsden says the on line casino would additionally give individuals in Northern Virginia a spot to gamble aside from touring to neighboring Maryland.
Marsden’s Fairfax on line casino statute, Senate Invoice 675, handed the Senate Normal Legal guidelines and Know-how Committee final week by a 10-4 vote. The invoice has since moved to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.
