Thomas Robertson | [email protected]

February 2, 2024, 6:23 PM

A Virginia Senate subcommittee recommended Thursday to table a bill that aims to bring a casino to Fairfax County, which would delay the effort by a year so lawmakers could further examine the economic implications.

The bill would ultimately allow Fairfax County residents to decide whether a casino is built by way of a ballot referendum.

State Sen. Dave Marsden, a Democrat who represents part of Fairfax County, introduced the legislation about a year after bringing forth a similar plan to build the casino in Reston. Marsden ultimately withdrew that legislation.

Casino plan draws strong reactions

Civic groups and homeowner associations in the neighborhoods around the proposed casino have expressed opposition. Several senators noted that they have received hundreds of emails and letters opposing the plan.

Opponents who attended Thursday’s meeting of a Senate Finance and Appropriations subcommittee included Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn, Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert and Herndon Town Council member Naila Alam.

“Vienna residents are just really, really strongly against this. I have not heard from one resident, actually, that is for it,” Colbert said.

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