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Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger faces a decision on whether Fairfax County voters could consider a massive Tysons casino complex as local officials push back against state lawmakers who argue the project would fuel economic growth.

The legislation would allow the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to schedule a referendum. If voters approved it, a 1.5 million-square-foot mixed-use development featuring a casino, convention center and entertainment district could be built in Tysons.

The General Assembly considered the proposal for a third consecutive session. Despite opposition from several Northern Virginia lawmakers, the measure passed both chambers.

Changes discussed before the 2026 session ended could have allowed a temporary Fairfax casino without a local referendum. The final measure, however, remained similar to the original bill and preserved a public vote.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay rejected the argument that Tysons needs state intervention.

“The idea that Tysons is struggling, therefore the state needs to come up with a gimmick to help it — Tysons is funding the state!” McKay said at a Tuesday meeting. “It is places like Tysons that are funding the state.”

McKay said a casino continues to raise concerns about traffic, property values and school enrollment.

Supervisor Dalia Palchik, whose district includes Tysons, also said the area is “not in need of rescue.” She pointed to Capital One’s recently announced expansion in Tysons as evidence of continued investment.

Jobs and revenue claims divide officials

Labor groups have promoted the proposed casino as a source of new jobs. Supporters also say the development could generate billions of dollars in revenue, provide more money for Fairfax County schools and potentially help local officials reduce property taxes.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, who introduced the legislation, argued that Tysons has struggled to secure major projects while development has flourished elsewhere in Northern Virginia.

“The Dulles rail corridor has been much more attractive along the Toll Road there for a lot of developers,” Surovell said. “You’ve seen a lot more building through there than you have in Tysons.”

Surovell also said Tysons’ office vacancy rate is “well in excess of the national average.” A Tysons Community Alliance report placed the area’s 2025 vacancy rate at 20%, while the national rate that year was approximately the same, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Supervisor Jimmy Bierman alleged that the bill was crafted to benefit a particular developer and called on Spanberger to veto it.

“I hope that, if she doesn’t, that our board takes action against this bad, bad proposal in Tysons,” Bierman said.

Surovell disputed that characterization, saying the project could be built at two locations owned by separate entities. He said the law’s terms do not restrict the opportunity to one developer.

“If the county was serious about economic development, perhaps they would view this as an opportunity to try to bring a multi-billion dollar project to the county, which they haven’t landed in over a decade,” he said.

Surovell said he had not discussed the proposal with Spanberger in two or three months. He also expressed frustration with his efforts to negotiate with Fairfax officials, saying he had contacted many of them during the previous 60 days but could not determine what changes would satisfy them.

Before the 2026 legislative session began, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted against including the casino project among its legislative priorities.

Spanberger has until next month to sign the bill, propose changes or veto it.