A Richmond judge approved a second Richmond casino referendum, Mayor Levar Stoney announced Monday.
“Today is a good day in the City of Richmond because our residents have an opportunity to vote in November for 1500 good–paying jobs and tax relief with the One Casino + Resort referendum being back on the table, thanks in part to the recent certification by the Virginia Lottery and the subsequent ruling by Richmond Circuit Court today,” Stoney said in a press release.
Earlier this year, the city council decided to go forward with the second referendum, but the circuit court judge’s approval was necessary.
“While we are optimistic by today’s turn of events, we recognize that this is not the end. We will continue to advocate with the General Assembly to preserve our right to pursue this game–changing opportunity,” he said.
“This special economic development opportunity in South Richmond gives the city an additional way to address equity and community wealth gaps. As the city continues to work on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the casino project can assist with leveling the playing field for many Richmonders who continue to struggle during these uncertain and unprecedented times,” Stoney said.
In 2021, the casino proposal was narrowly defeated by Richmond grassroots efforts despite major pro-casino spending. Stoney, Richmond City Councilwoman Reva Trammell, and the city’s preferred developer Urban One have been pushing for a second referendum ever since. They’ve lost an ally; in 2021 State Senator Joe Morrissey (D-Richmond) supported the effort, but he now says Richmond has had its chance.
Morrissey and Delegate Kim Taylor (R-Dinwiddie) are now pushing for the General Assembly to block a second referendum in Richmond long enough to hold a referendum in Petersburg for the last remaining casino license. Taylor thinks a referendum for a Petersburg casino would have a better chance than in Richmond. She cited a need linked to the loss of major businesses in the Petersburg area.
“It’s a great economic opportunity. It’s much needed,” Taylor told The Virginia Star. “You know, when you compare Richmond to Petersburg, Petersburg has far more poverty, and the need is much, much greater.”
Morrissey and Taylor introduced legislation in the 2022 General Assembly session to block a second Richmond referendum, but those efforts didn’t pass. To try to resurrect the effort, they pushed for budget amendments that would include a ban on an additional Richmond referendum while a study is performed on the suitability of Petersburg for a casino. If that is included in the final budget, that will make the judge’s order allowing a casino moot.
House Republicans didn’t include the amendment in their proposal, while the Senate did.
Governor Glenn Youngkin is expected to call a special session once a budget compromise has been reached between the House and Senate. Morrissey told The Star that he hasn’t heard any updates about budget negotiations, or if the budget amendment will be included in the final budget compromise. He said he doesn’t think House Republicans have a problem with the amendment.
“I’ve talked to House Republicans and I don’t see one, but nothing is done until it is done in the General Assembly,” Morrissey said. I’ve got assurances from the Senate by Senate Democrats, several by Senate Republicans, and several Republicans, I’ll say, in the House.”
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
