FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Plans for a casino in Fairfax County could be back on the table. County leaders continue to look for ways to deal with an ailing budget.
Last month, the Board of Supervisors approved a property tax increase to deal help close a budget deficit. Some leaders warn that if something isn’t done it will get worse in the future.
That is where the plan for a casino may see renewed interest, but it faces increasing opposition.
Several blocks from one of the proposed sites for a casino in Fairfax County, Tracy McCarty met with WUSA9 to talk about her disapproval of the idea.
“We know now that most people in Fairfax County do not want to see a casino in Fairfax County,” she said.
McCarty is part of the civic group No Fairfax Casino. The group is a consolidation of previous groups opposed to casino plans in Fairfax County. This group is supercharged with support, several civic organizations and local councils.
“It will lower property values. It will encourage risky behavior. It will cause public safety concerns it will forever change the character of the community around us,” McCarty explained.
“So we are working to convince the Board of Supervisors that casino is unwanted and unwelcome in Fairfax County,” she said.
Why now?
This year, the Board of Supervisors can revisit the plan first proposed last year by Fairfax County State Sen. Dave Marsden.
“I’m not gonna waste my time down in Richmond unless I have support back here at home,” Marsden told WUSA9 by phone.
He feels a difference this year comes from tough budget season the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is coming off – a time that forced leaders to raise property taxes to meet budgets expectations.
Marsden believes it could get worse.
“We are having a dramatic decline in commercial real estate which is a significant part of the county’s revenue,” he explained.
Marsden wagers a casino could help. Especially, if the plans for conference center and live music venue are included.
“The revenue could be enormous, as is the economic activity,” he said.
However, he won’t reintroduce the casino referendum bill, unless the Board of Supervisors sends it forward this year. A decision he sees as a hard truth.
“[They have a choice] either you compete or you die,” he said frankly.
An important note, State Sen. Marsden’s bill is a referendum bill. Meaning if it passed, it would leave the casino decision up to voters in an election.
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