The chances of Petersburg getting the possibility to ask residents in the event that they assist bringing a industrial on line casino resort to the Virginia metropolis presumably improved on Wednesday. That’s after billionaire Ted Leonsis introduced he’s preserving his skilled sports activities groups in Washington, D.C.
Billionaire Ted Leonsis declares that he’s preserving his Washington, D.C. skilled sports activities groups within the nation’s capital whereas Mayor Muriel Bowser and Council Chair Phil Mendelson look on. The chances of Petersburg, Virginia, being cleared for a on line casino might need shortened with Leonsis staying. (Picture: AP)
In what’s the most recent political defeat for Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin (R), as soon as a rising star within the Republican Celebration — however who was dealt a serious blow through the 2023 election when Democrats regained management of the state Home of Delegates and elevated their Senate management — Leonsis mentioned Wednesday he’s staying put at Capital One Area in Washington. Younkin had been attempting to lure Leonsis and his NBA Washington Wizards, NHL Washington Capitals, and WNBA Washington Mystics to Alexandria with a $2 billion sports activities and leisure advanced.
After Washington officers pitched Leonsis with $515 million in renovations and enhancements, Leonsis agreed to stay within the nation’s capital.
I have a look at outcomes, not course of, and we bought to the fitting end result,” Leonsis mentioned in preserving Washington’s sports activities groups within the district.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), a quite unpopular mayor due to the town’s surging unlawfulness and homelessness, mentioned the town’s greater than half of a billion-dollar pledge will lead to a “state-of-the-art city enviornment.”
Younkin Bargaining Chip
Virginia lawmakers handed laws to designate Petersburg for a on line casino license earlier this yr. The political effort got here after voters in Richmond twice rejected a on line casino referendum.
Petersburg metropolis officers and the general public are supportive of changing into a on line casino vacation spot. Younkin hasn’t mentioned whether or not he’ll signal the invoice.
Rumors surfaced that Youngkin was holding up signing the on line casino invoice. Senate President Professional Tempore L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), probably the most highly effective Democrats within the state, wanted to lifted her robust opposition to the Alexandria enviornment scheme dubbed Potomac Yard Leisure District. Lucas co-sponsored the Petersburg on line casino legislation.
Youngkin dismissed reviews that he was tying up the Petersburg on line casino invoice till extra Democrats bought behind Potomac Yard. With the mission now folded, that bargaining chip, if there ever actually was one, is not any extra.
Younkin was naturally upset concerning the Normal Meeting not together with the Potomac Yard mission within the state finances and Leonsis abandoning what would have been a legacy mission for the governor.
Virginians deserve higher. A one-of-a-kind mission bringing world-class athletes and leisure, creating 30,000 jobs and $12 billion in financial exercise, simply went up in smoke,” Youngkin in a press release.
“This transformational mission would have pushed funding to each nook of the commonwealth. This could have been our deal and our alternative, all of the Normal Meeting needed to do was say: ‘Thanks, Monumental, for wanting to come back to Virginia and create $12 billion of financial funding, let’s work it out.’ However no, private and political agendas drove away a cope with no upfront basic fund cash and no tax will increase that created tens of hundreds of recent jobs and billions in income for Virginia,” the governor added.
Clock Ticking
The Virginia Structure mandates that the governor act on all laws despatched to his desk inside 30 days of receipt. Younkin has till April 8 at 11:59 pm EST to behave on the Petersburg on line casino invoice.
If he indicators the measure or permits it to develop into legislation with out his signature, Petersburg’s native authorities can discipline bids for a on line casino improvement.
As soon as a mission is accredited, the enterprise would go earlier than voters this November. A easy majority would want to assist the gaming initiative to maneuver ahead.
