TYSONS, VA — McLean and Reston residents plan to travel to Richmond on Monday to speak in opposition to legislation being considered by the Virginia Senate to make it possible for a casino to be built in Tysons.
Reston Citizens Association launched its Citizens Opposed to Reston Casino initiative back in October to organize the Reston and Tysons communities against the proposed legislation.
Senate Bill 675, which was introduced by Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke) on Jan. 17, seeks to give the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors the authority to put a casino referendum on an upcoming ballot.
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On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on General Laws & Technology voted 10 to 4, with one abstention, to refer SB 675 to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.
A group of seven Reston and McLean residents who traveled to Richmond were prevented from speaking at Wednesday’s meeting, when the committee’s chairman, Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), announced that no additional testimony would be taken.
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The day before, Marsden presented his bill to the gaming subcommittee, when Julie Coons, the president of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, endorsed the legislation along with two other speakers.
A finance committee staff member told Patch that while committee and subcommittee meetings are public hearings, public comment is only taken during one hearing, either at the committee or the subcommittee meeting. Since public comment was taken during Tuesday’s subcommittee meeting, no more public comment would’ve been taken at the committee level.
Also, the chairperson of committee can opt to vote on a piece of legislation without first sending it to a subcommittee, according to the finance staff member. In that case, public testimony would be taken at the committee level.
On Thursday, RCA announced that it would be traveling to Richmond on Monday to testify before the Senate Economic Development & Natural Resources Subcommittee, which is scheduled to meet at 4:30 p.m. Marsden chairs that subcommittee. Anyone who wishes to join the group can do so by visiting the No Reston Casino website. A meet-up time has not yet been schedule.
During session, the finance committee meets at 9 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 4:30 p.m., on Thursday upon the call of state Sen. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), who is the committee chair.
As of 3:30 p.m. on Friday, the bill had not been referred to a subcommittee yet. The finance committee staff member said that the bill would likely be referred to the Resources Subcommittee, which meets at 4 p.m. on Thursday. Lucas also chairs that subcommittee.
On Friday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ Legislative Committee will be meeting at 4 p.m., to discuss SB 675. The meeting will take place in conference room 11 at the Fairfax County Government Center. There will be no speaking opportunities.
Related:
Read all of Patch’s reporting on Comstock Companies’ plan to build a casino on Metro’s Silver Line in Fairfax County at Silver Line Casino.
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