Casino Opponents Travel To Richmond To Lobby Lawmakers: Report

A group of anti-casino bill activists are traveling down to Richmond on Monday to speak against Senate Bill 675, which seeks to give the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors the authority to put a casino referendum on a future ballot. The group was planning to speak, during the Economic Development & Natural Resources Subcommittee 's 4:30 p.m. meeting. Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke), the bill's sponsor. However, discussion of SB 675 was not on the agenda that was published on Monday morning.

This Bill is being foisted upon the citizens of Fairfax County and places a horrific burden upon the citizens to combat this well-funded pro-casino lobby.

The time and effort that County resident-volunteers will expend to counter the false narratives that will be blasted out by those who are seeking to reap profits from this casino will cause undue anxiety, uncertainty and great personal expense.

Our elected leaders have an obligation to represent the people who elected them.

• Less than 30% of the gaming tax revenue will accrue to Fairfax County.
• Casinos will require costly infrastructure improvements to support traffic, parking, and storm water management.
• Casinos will require costly increases in police staffing, which is already strained.
• Fairfax County prides itself on being a family-friendly community, known for careers in education, technology, and healthcare. Casinos will undermine the very essence of our County’s reputation.
• Job opportunities created by casinos are lower-paying with limited opportunities for advancement.
• Communities located within 10 miles of a casino exhibit double the rate of problem gambling.
• Such communities also suffer higher rates of home foreclosure and other forms of economic distress, along with higher rates of domestic violence.
• 75% of casino customers who play only occasionally, provide only 4% of casino revenues.
• Problem gamblers keep casinos in business.
• Small businesses suffer when casinos are located nearby. Pawn shops and cash-for-gold outlets prosper.

If this bill passes, the negative consequences of your vote will be borne by the citizens of Fairfax County.

Please oppose Senate Bill 675

Fairfax County Legislative Committee Meeting
Supervisor Observations, Friday, January 26

“I understand that the easiest thing to do would be don’t monitor the bill just oppose
it. And I understand the perspective of folks on that, but we also have to think about
our overarching principles here protecting our constituents if this bill does get
approved and making sure that we’re beginning and continuing to be a part of the
conversation.” — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman McKay

“This bill is actually NOT about bringing more money into Fairfax County.
I am hearing uniform opposition to the bill from my constituents.

"I put out my position on the bill in Drainesville last night in my newsletter. I pointed
out that I had not heard from a single constituent who is in favor of the bill.
Immediately afterwards I received a text from an individual who said, ‘I’m your
constituent and I’m in favor of the bill.’ I said thank you you’re the first one to tell me
and then he told me that he represented Comstock, the developer [behind] the bill.

"Since that time, I’ve received 66 emails before this meeting started saying they are
opposed to the bill. So, public opposition from my district has been absolutely
uniform.” — Drainesville District Supervisor Bierman

“Well as much as I don’t support a casino in Fairfax County, I never visualized it’s the
next best thing we need. I understand the Chairman’s rationale about monitoring
because it could be happening anyway. I would tell you I would not support a casino
in Fairfax County, but I can accept the point right now that we would look to
monitor.” — Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith

“Frankly, I’m not sure any of us who are district Supervisors would want this in our
Districts. .in that case I’m not sure why we don’t just oppose it. Mr. Chairman, I do
understand your idea of the principles and being careful about saying no to
authority.” — Hunter Mill District Supervisor Alcorn

Less than 30% of the gaming tax revenue will accrue to Fairfax County

S.B. 675

Do not waste Fairfax County time and resources by passing S.B. 675. The voters
of Fairfax County will not accept it.

Citizens and Business Associations on record in opposition to a casino in Fairfax County

• The Fairfax Federation of Citizens Associations
• Reston Citizens Association
• McLean Citizens Association – Linda Walsh (703) 300-0819
• Great Falls Citizens Association
• Sully District Council of Citizens Associations
• Western Fairfax County Citizens Association
• Vienna Town Council
• Greater Tysons Citizens Coalition
• Rotunda Condominium Unit Owners Association
• McLean Hunt Homeowners Association
• Shouse Village Community Association
• Northern Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Editor's Note: Included in the group's packet of information is the following document that has been distributed recently by a PR firm known to work for MGM Resorts International, the company that owns MGM National Harbor. The phone survey that GS Strategy Group references was the same one Patch reported about in December.