Democrats in the Virginia General Assembly are reportedly working on plans to build a new facility for the Washington Capitals and Wizards in Fairfax County after the defeat of proposed legislation to build the arena in Alexandria.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax) pitched a plan to use the money from a new casino in Fairfax County to build an arena, according to The Washington Post. Surovell’s plan reportedly has the support of the company seeking to build the casino, as well as political consultant Ben Tribbett, who the outlet reported also works for Senator L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth).
Lucas successfully blocked the Senate version of legislation that would have created a body to oversee the funding for the arena using her position as the Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. She again used her position to block a version of the legislation that passed the House of Delegates.
The outlet reported that Surovell called Lucas to discuss the casino idea on Friday from Poland, where the outlet reported the majority leader “has been vacationing.”
Surovell ultimately acknowledged to the outlet that Monumental Sports and Entertainment, the company which owns the Capitals and Wizards, was opposed to the proposal and ruled out the possibility of operating at a facility dependent on casino gambling.
Youngkin’s office additionally ruled out the proposal. According to the Post, quoting a spokesman from the governor’s office, Monumental CEO Ted Leonsis expressed his “disgust” regarding the deal to Youngkin.
In response, the spokesman told the outlet, “The Governor expressed immediately and directly that he had no interest in the arena-casino deal proposed to Monumental.”
Surovell’s plan is also opposed by Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, who expressed his displeasure in a post to the social media platform X.
“This is not the way that business should be done in our Commonwealth,” wrote Wilson, declaring the move by Surovell “disappointing.”
This is not the way that business should be done in our Commonwealth.
The City has worked to give Alexandrians an opportunity to consider a unique economic development opportunity.
This is disappointing.https://t.co/jCa45s4i5G
— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) March 24, 2024
Youngkin is widely expected to revive the plan to build the arena when the General Assembly reconvenes in April to make final changes to the budget and reconsider any legislation the governor amended or vetoed.
The governor described the budget proposed by Democrats in the General Assembly as “completely backward” earlier than month, suggesting the tax hikes and new taxes on utility bills pitched by lawmakers are out of the question.
Despite Lucas acknowledging Youngkin could veto the proposed budget, forcing the legislature back to the drawing board, the senator pledged to continue blocking the arena, calling it a “non-starter.”
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “State Sen. Scott Surovell” by State Sen. Scott Surovell and “Potomac Yards Visualization” by Monumental Opportunity.
