Vienna/Oakton Politics

Casino Bill for Tysons Advances

Opponents make repeated trips to Richmond to testify against the bill.

The subcommittee pushed SB982, introduced by Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax), to the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 9 a.m. The bill proposes to allow Fairfax County residents to vote in a referendum on a casino in Tysons.

Supervisors: Casino Bill Muddies Waters

Real issue is state underfunding of schools, they say.

A senator's comments Monday to the Virginia Senate Subcommittee on Gaming regarding SB982 (Casino Gaming; eligible host localities) led the chair of the No Fairfax Casino coalition, Lynn Mulston, to email the senators a letter titled "URGENT: SB982 Reaction to Chief Patron's Comments."

Bill Paves Way for Fairfax Casino Referendum

Coalition seeks to ‘kill the bill;’ sponsors say Fairfax County needs the money for schools and property tax relief.

A 50,000-member Facebook group called the No Fairfax Casino Coalition is out to "kill the bill," SB982 — Casino gaming; eligible host localities in the Virginia Senate.

When Snow and Ice Come, Be Salt Smart

Prison Reform Takes Long, Tortuous Path

Del. Hope advocates for more humane conditions for incarcerated people.

Del. Patrick Hope (D-47) spearheaded legislation this session that creates a state ombudsman over the Department of Corrections.

Virginia League of Conservation Voters 2024 General Assembly Conservation Scorecard Released

Fairfax’s state legislators sweep the Scorecard’s honor roll.

Of the 22 elected officials in the Virginia General Assembly who represent all, or a portion of, the citizens of Fairfax County, 19 achieved a perfect score of 100 percent, earning the honorary title of "Legislative Hero” from the Virginia LCV. The remaining three achieved a near-perfect score of 95 percent, earning them the title of "2024 Legislative Leader."

Highlights of Virginia LCV’s Scored Legislation Patroned by Lawmakers of the Fairfax County Delegation to the General Assembly

LCV’s positions and governor’s actions.

Gov. Youngkin vetoed 201 bills in 2024, including bipartisan environmental protection legislation. Virginia LCV classified scored legislation into five categories: energy and climate, good government, land conservation, land use and transportation, and water quality. Virginia LCV provided its position, whether supporting or opposing the bills, and compared such against Gov. Youngkin’s actions, whether he signed the bills into law or vetoed them.

Governor Says Virginia Is Exiting Clean Car Commitment

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has no interest in a roadmap to a zero-emission future for vehicles in Virginia. Youngkin cites Attorney General Jason Miyares’ official opinion, which "confirms that Virginians are no longer legally bound to follow the emission standards of California.”

Chamber Receives Report on General Assembly Activities

Roll for a casino in Fairfax County?

“It was a session with a lot of changes,” said State Senator Scott Surovell speaking to the Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce at the annual General Assembly Report business breakfast.

Casino Bill is Dead for 2024

Carried it over until 2025.

Sen. Marsden’s SB 675 Casino Bill Carried Over: Opponents react; Marsden touts benefits.

VA Legislators Aim for Assault Weapon Bans

Will new seats mean new votes?

Virginia came close to banning sales of assault weapons in 2020 when the House passed a bill banning them by a narrow 51-yes to 48-no vote. In the Senate Judiciary committee that year however, three Democrats: Senators Creigh Deeds, Chap Petersen, and Scott Surovell, surprised many by voting with Republican committee members to fail to move the bill forward in the Senate.

One-on-one interview with Mac Cummins, AICP

Vienna Connection