A referendum for a Petersburg casino development could still be in the cards, as lawmakers recently sent a House bill over to the Senate with a 49-44 vote, and one abstention.
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Del. Wendy Gooditis (D) has endorsed Atoosa Reaser for Delegate in HD-27
Reaser is seeking the Democratic nomination in the open HD-27. Kannan Srinivasan is also seeking the Democratic nomination.
Reaser has also been endorsed by former House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, plus state Sens. Jennifer Boysko and Barbara Favola.
“Atoosa Reaser is a first-generation immigrant, a mom, a lawyer, and a dedicated Loudoun County public servant. Having worked with her, Atoosa’s warmth, kindness, and humanity are undeniable.” Gooditis said. “I know she will tirelessly advocate for Loudoun County in the House of Delegates, and I am proud to offer her my support and endorsement.”
Chris Harnisch has filed to run for the Republican nomination.
As he faces constant attacks from his primary opponents, Glen Sturtevant received endorsements from the Colonial Heights mayor and vice mayor.
“We are proud to endorse Senator Glen Sturtevant for another term in the Virginia Senate and we are asking you to join us in supporting Glen,” they said in a joint statement. “Glen will be a voice and advocate for our city in the General Assembly. His experience and knowledge of education, veterans’ issues, and the economy make him an excellent representative. Glen is a great defender of Virginia values, and we need his continued leadership in the Virginia Senate.”
Sturtevant has been facing constant attacks from his primary opponents, state Sen. Amanda Chase and Tina Ramirez.
Why this is interesting: Even though Chase has been the state senator in Colonial Heights for the last eight years, she was unable to earn the endorsement of the city’s leaders.
RICHMOND, Va. — A referendum for a Petersburg casino development could still be in the cards, as lawmakers recently sent a House bill over to the Senate with a 49-44 vote, and one abstention.
Petersburg-area representatives filed casino bills in fall 2022. Del. Kim Taylor, R-Petersburg, introduced House Bill 1373 to qualify Petersburg as an eligible city to hold a casino referendum.
Any city within 25 miles with a previous failed referendum cannot hold another one until another eligible host city has “a reasonable opportunity,” according to the bill.
This would mean Richmond, whose referendum failed in 2021, cannot hold another referendum this year until Petersburg has a chance. A referendum is a measure locals vote on during the November general election.
Taylor’s bill passed to the Senate on Feb. 7. Most Richmond-area Democrats voted against it.
“I am excited about the momentum my bill has and am looking forward to working with the various interest groups to make sure the people of Petersburg have a choice in November,” Taylor stated in an email.
Taylor introduced the House version, which is identical to the measure introduced by Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, which died on Feb. 2. The senator, who has been embroiled in recent drama with his estranged wife, had half of his proposed bills pass the Senate but not the casino one.
When asked if officials were trying to distance themselves from Morrissey’s bill, Taylor did not respond.
Petersburg does not have enough city residents to qualify for a referendum, but Taylor’s proposal creates qualifying alternatives based on real estate tax exemptions, poverty rate and annual unemployment.
Cordish Companies would develop the “Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia” within a $1.4 billion development called the “Live! Gaming & Entertainment District,” according to a press release.
“I support Petersburg having a casino because I am a strong believer in economic development,” Taylor stated. “Simply put, the jobs created, investment of capital into infrastructure, schools, and tourism generated from the casino will transform the city and region unlike any industry we’ve seen in 40 years.”
Taylor referenced the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, or JLARC, study on casinos published in October 2022. A casino would create a larger tax base, therefore generating more money to the city, according to the study.
“Petersburg has been in economic decline for over 40 years, which has greatly reduced the tax base,” Taylor stated. “A significant employer such as a casino will raise the average income in Petersburg and help the city become sustainable.”
The study reviewed Virginia’s approach to different forms of gaming, along with a Petersburg-specific study which concluded the city could support a casino. The study also included a scenario where Petersburg and Richmond both opened a casino.
JLARC staff selected The Innovation Group — which conducted previous casino research for the commission — from a pool of company experts, stated JLARC associate director Tracey Smith in an email. The firm was contracted to conduct a more limited analysis on the impacts of placing a casino in Petersburg, Smith stated.
The Innovation Group has casino developers as clients and some criticize the objectivity of the analysis — something JLARC was not concerned about occuring, Smith stated when asked about any potential conflict of interest.
“They seem more like lobbyists than researchers,” said Richmond local Allan-Charles Chipman.
Chipman is a former candidate for the 6th District Richmond City Council election in 2020.
Chipman is the executive director of Initiatives of Change, an organization which examines the economic impact and disparities of slavery and racism.
“How can this be viewed as an objective opinion?” Chipman said.
Chipman is against opening casinos throughout Virginia, he said. Casinos generate revenue for cities by “being a tax on the poor” instead of implementing a more equitable tax across income brackets, according to Chipman.
“For it [casinos] to be in Petersburg and the South Side, one of the highest racial disparities in our region, I think we need to hear from more than just people that make their money off of rubber stamping casinos,” Chipman said.
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has vocalized support for allowing Richmond to hold another referendum to build a casino.
“Richmond had their referendum, and Richmond rejected the casino in a free and fair election,” Chipman stated in a follow up text message after the bill advanced in the General Assembly.
Two other bills for casino gaming and eligible host localities, HB 2499 and Senate Bill 1543, were stricken from the docket in committees.
The next step for Taylor’s bill will be determined in the General Laws and Technology Senate committee.
Capital News Service is a program of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Robertson School of Media and Culture. Students in the program provide state government coverage for a variety of media outlets in Virginia.
Governor Youngkin Announces $2 Million in VSBFA Funding to Facilitate Creation of Southwest Virginia’s First Comprehensive Residential Treatment Facility for Addiction Recovery
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday that the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA) has approved a $2 million loan from the Economic Development Loan Fund (EDLF) that will contribute to the creation of Southwest Virginia’s first comprehensive residential treatment facility, the Wildwood Recovery Center.
This facility will allow for the simultaneous treatment of up to 96 individuals, utilizing two 7,000-square-foot administrative buildings and six 1,900-square-foot dormitories.
A $4 million loan awarded by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) will also contribute to the overall funding, in addition to backing from the Dickenson County Board of Supervisors, Town of Clintwood, and other County entities.
The Addiction Recovery Care (ARC), is working in partnership with the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority to bring this facility to fruition. Near the Town of Clintwood, this vital facility will be located at 230 Chip Mill Road on a portion of the parcel purchased by the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority in 2021. With the final required funding being fulfilled by VSBFA, construction for the center is scheduled to begin this year.
The Wildwood Recovery Center aims to host its grand opening in September of 2023.
Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA)
The Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA) is the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity’s (SBSD) business and economic development financing arm, offering programs to provide businesses, not-for-profits, and economic development authorities with the financing needed for economic growth and expansion throughout the Commonwealth. VSBFA aims to create multi-faceted impacts on Virginia communities, boosting the economy, creating jobs, and fulfilling the essential needs of local communities.
Michigan State University police: Shootings wound several - AP
Multiple people were reported wounded in shootings Monday night on the Michigan State University campus, police said. On Twitter, university police said there appeared to be only one suspect, later described as a “short male with a mask.”
“We are still receiving multiple calls of an active shooter on campus,” police said. Authorities ordered students and staff to shelter in place after a report of shots fired around Berkey Hall on the school’s East Lansing campus.
