A bill to make Fairfax County eligible for a casino is advancing through the Virginia House of Delegates after undergoing some significant changes from the version passed by the state Senate earlier this month.
The House’s General Laws Committee voted 12-7 yesterday (Tuesday) to send Senate Bill 756, patroned by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34), to the chamber’s appropriations committee. All four delegates representing portions of Fairfax County, including committee chair Del. Paul Krizek (D-16), opposed advancing the legislation.
Prior to the vote, Krizek proposed — and the committee accepted — a substitute that adds several new provisions to Surovell’s bill, including criteria Fairfax County must consider when selecting a casino operator, an increased licensing fee, a revised gaming tax structure and a change to the referendum process.
