RICHMOND, Va. — Is Governor Glenn Youngkin cutting a deal to keep the "Monumental Move" alive?
The Richmond Times Dispatch first reported that the Governor may be offering a key lawmaker in Hampton Roads a deal in exchange for the sports and entertainment district in Alexandria. Two sources with knowledge of the negotiations for Virginia's budget said Governor Youngkin has offered around $322 million in toll relief to the Hampton Roads delegation.
In exchange, he wants them to support his Potomac Yard arena proposal.
Many are wondering if that is enough to move the arena's biggest opponent out of the way.
Hampton Roads State Senator Louise Lucas, has been the loudest in opposition to the Monumental Sports and Entertainment Complex, which includes a new Arena for the Wizards and Capitals.
On social media Lucas has blasted Governor Youngkin's arena deal. As head of the Finance and Appropriations committee, she cut it from the Virginia Senate's version of the budget.
At the same time, Senator Lucas has asked for millions in toll relief for her constituents down in Hampton Roads in the budget.
For more than a decade she has said the tolls for tunnels in Norfolk and Portsmouth hurt people in the region. The rising tolls for tunnels in Hampton Roads stems from a private-public agreement in 2011. It was a deal touted by then-governor Bob McDonnell. Those toll increases went into effect in 2012.
According to our sources, Governor Youngkin's camp has offered Senator Lucas' camp $322 million in toll relief for the Hampton Roads region, if she will support the Potomac Yard arena deal.
Senator Lucas' team would not comment on the proposal, neither would our Northern Virginia state representatives.
Governor Youngkin's team also would not comment, but sent the following statement:
"While the administration will not comment on private conversations or specific proposals, Governor Youngkin remains committed to working with the General Assembly to create the Sports and Entertainment District that will fund shared priorities across Virginia. The Governor remains open to providing permanent toll relief for the tunnels between Portsmouth and Norfolk from the revenue created from this monumental opportunity."
Whether or not this proposal will budge Senator Lucas from her opposition our sources could not say. They also could not say what the breakdown in toll relief would look like.
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