The Virginia House of Delegates narrowly passed a bill Tuesday that would allow Petersburg residents to vote on a casino referendum this fall. The legislation moves next to the Virginia State Senate, where a similar bill died in committee.
Del. Kim Taylor, R-Dinwiddie, sponsored HB 1373, which passed 49-44 in the full House vote, with one delegate abstaining. Tuesday is the last day before crossover, when bills passed by each legislative body move to the other chamber for consideration. Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, was chief patron of the Senate bill, which failed in a narrow vote last week in the Senate Finance and Appropriations committee.
Taylor said on the House floor Tuesday that the measure, which would prevent Richmond from holding another casino referendum until Petersburg residents have had a chance to vote, would mean “economic independence” for Petersburg, which has come close to bankruptcy in recent years.
