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Fairfax County supervisors intensified their opposition to a proposed Tysons casino on March 17, condemning both the legislation and the local General Assembly members who helped pass it.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay called the measure “absolutely a direct attack on local government.” The criticism came three days after state lawmakers approved Senate Bill 756, which would add Fairfax County to the Virginia localities eligible to host a casino.
The bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, passed the Senate 25-13 and the House of Delegates 55-41 on March 14. It now awaits action by Gov. Abigail Spanberger.
County leaders reiterated that they will urge Spanberger to veto it.
“I sincerely hope that the governor vetoes this bill [that] seeks to jam a casino into Tysons,” Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman said.
Bierman alleged that the legislation was written to help a particular developer at the public’s expense. Other supervisors focused their anger on members of Fairfax County’s own legislative delegation who supported the bill.
“There are times when our own people are not looking out for our best interests,” McKay said.
Fairfax-area lawmakers who voted for the measure included Sens. Jennifer Carroll Foy, Dave Marsden and Stella Pekarsky, along with Dels. Laura Jane Cohen, Garrett McGuire and Rozia Henson Jr.
Bierman said it was “really sad that the people of Fairfax County were sold out by their own.”
Referendum requirements remain uncertain
Surovell and Marsden have pursued casino legislation during each of the past three General Assembly sessions. If Spanberger signs the latest bill, Fairfax voters could ultimately decide through a countywide referendum whether casino gambling should be allowed.
It remains unclear whether the Board of Supervisors could stop the process by declining to request a referendum.
State law says a local government “shall” petition the Circuit Court for a referendum after the county selects a preferred casino operator. Although “shall” generally leaves no discretion under Virginia law, county officials could interpret the provision as preserving the board’s authority to decide whether the proposal advances to the court and voters.
The bill faced additional controversy after senators considered an unexpected amendment on March 13. That provision would have allowed a temporary Fairfax casino to operate with approval from a state commission for as long as five years, or until voters approved a permanent development.
Such a casino could therefore have opened without first winning a county referendum.
McKay described the late amendment as “the least transparent thing I’ve ever seen” and said it was “no way to do business.”
Fairfax officials and staff persuaded the House of Delegates to remove the temporary-casino provision. But McKay said that merely returned the county to its original position: confronting a casino bill opposed by most supervisors.
Supervisors reject claims Tysons needs rescuing
County officials also pushed back against arguments in Richmond that Tysons is struggling and needs casino-driven redevelopment.
“We at the county government know what we’re doing around land use — we have a thriving Tysons,” McKay said. “Those people, including Sen. Surovell, should visit Tysons more often.”
Supporters say a casino-centered development near the Silver Line would generate needed tax revenue for Fairfax County and Virginia. During an early Senate subcommittee hearing, Surovell argued that Tysons was “not thriving,” pointing to stalled development, especially in the office market.
He also repeatedly cited an office vacancy rate above the national average.
Construction has slowed in Tysons, but several housing projects remain underway and retail visits have climbed above 2019 levels. The office vacancy rate has also held steady at 20% for five consecutive business quarters through the end of 2025, putting it roughly in line with the national average, according to a Tysons Community Alliance market report.
The alliance presented the report at its Vision Tysons 2026 summit in March. County leaders and developers attending the event generally expressed confidence in Tysons’ continued growth and its ability to adjust to economic changes.
McKay briefly addressed the casino debate during his scheduled remarks, saying he was not “going to get people worked up” after Bierman suggested polling attendees about it.
“We’re building an entire city here,” McKay said while disputing descriptions of Tysons as a struggling community.
He acknowledged the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, changes at the federal level and pressure on commercial office space, but said the market report showed Tysons succeeding in nearly every category.
Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik, who represents most of Tysons, was equally forceful.
“Tysons is not in need of a rescue,” she said.
The potential casino site is in Palchik’s district along Leesburg Pike near the Spring Hill Metro station. Comstock Companies wants to construct a casino-anchored entertainment complex there.
Palchik characterized the legislation as one senator’s “passion project,” saying it prescribes a location that would benefit one developer while disregarding Fairfax residents and the Board of Supervisors.
Casino fight collides with budget dispute
McKay argued that Virginia needs a serious discussion about tax reform to improve funding for public schools, rather than what he called a “gimmick.” He said the time spent debating a casino in Fairfax and Richmond distracted lawmakers from more important work during the 60-day legislative session.
He closed his remarks by wishing legislators had devoted as much attention to adopting a balanced state budget.
The General Assembly adjourned March 14 without approving a budget, largely because of disagreement over whether Virginia should eliminate tax breaks for data centers. Lawmakers are scheduled to return to Richmond for a special session on April 23 to negotiate a spending plan.
Vienna’s elected leaders also criticized the casino bill and urged Spanberger to veto it.
Mayor Linda Colbert said the Vienna Town Council has consistently opposed legislation that could lead to a casino in Tysons or elsewhere in Fairfax County.
“This measure ignores the concerns of our community,” Colbert said, pledging continued cooperation with regional partners seeking to prevent a casino from opening in the area.
Spanberger has until 11:59 p.m. April 13 to sign, veto or amend the legislation.