Opponents of a proposed casino in Tysons, Virginia are urging the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to join their campaign against the expansion. The “No Casino Coalition” is concerned about the potential negative impacts of bringing a casino to the area and wants to ensure that the local government opposes any future casino legislation.
Despite the failure of state efforts to designate Fairfax as a qualified host county for a casino this year, the coalition believes that talks could resume during the 2025 legislative session. Members of the coalition, including Sally Horn, are actively engaging with the community to raise awareness about the issue and garner support for their cause.
The coalition has received backing from various homeowners associations and local municipalities, demonstrating widespread concern about the potential casino expansion. They are specifically calling on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to petition state lawmakers, such as state Sen. David Marsden, who led the 2024 casino effort, to oppose any future casino legislation.
County Chair Jeff McKay has expressed frustration with the lack of communication and coordination between the casino proponents and the Fairfax County government. He believes that the supervisors were left out of the decision-making process and were not consulted about the potential impacts of the casino development on the local community.
On the other hand, supporters of the casino expansion, including Marsden and state Sen. Scott Surovell, argue that diversifying the county’s revenue sources is crucial for maintaining the quality of life in the area. They point to the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which have resulted in vacant office spaces and reduced property tax income for the county.
Surovell emphasizes the need to find additional revenue sources to offset the potential tax revenue losses from the commercial real estate sector. He believes that homeowners may have to bear the burden of making up for these losses in order to support essential services like schools.
As the debate over the casino expansion continues, it is clear that there are differing opinions on the issue within the Fairfax community. The decision of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to either support or oppose the casino legislation will have significant implications for the future of Tysons and the surrounding areas. The community will need to come together to find a resolution that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders involved.
