Fairfax County Leaders Applaud Veto Of Tysons Casino Bill

FAIRFAX, VA — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors expressed strong support Tuesday for Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s (D) decision to veto legislation that would have cleared the path for a casino in Tysons.

The bill, Senate Bill 756, sought to add Fairfax County to the list of Virginia localities eligible to host a casino, specifically targeting a site within one-quarter mile of a Silver Line Metro station.

However, Spanberger’s veto on April 9 centered on the principle of local control. In her veto statement, the governor noted that local governing boards should lead on such developments, whereas the Fairfax Board of Supervisors and a majority of the county’s General Assembly delegation explicitly opposed the measure.

"I want to publicly thank her for her veto of an ill-conceived bill that was never asked for by Fairfax County," said Chair Jeff McKay (D-At-Large) during Tuesday's board meeting. McKay argued the proposal had already "thwarted economic development activity in and around Tysons" by creating uncertainty for investors.

Read Patch's reporting on Comstock Companies' efforts to build a casino in Tysons at Silver Line Casino.

Supervisor Jimmy Bierman (D-Dranesville), whose district includes parts of Tysons and McLean, was a vocal critic of the plan. He thanked the governor for rejecting what he described as a "distraction" that his constituents in Herndon and Tysons had urged him to fight. Bierman called the proposal "corrupt" and "nonsense," alleging it was designed to benefit a wealthy developer at the expense of working families.

Decisions And Next Steps

• Veto Sustained: The veto effectively halts the proposal for the current legislative session, as an override is considered unlikely without broader General Assembly support.
• Shift to Tysons’ Future: Supervisors Dalia Palchik (D-Providence) and Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill) urged the board to move past the "distraction" of the casino to focus on Tysons' long-term economic development.
• Economic Strategy: Palchik called for new state partnerships to incentivize "tourism conference centers" and creative office spaces as the Tysons market evolves.
• Ongoing Vigilance: McKay warned that while the bill is dead for 2026, the board must remain "steadfast" should similar legislation return in future years.

Supervisor Rachna Sizemore-Heizer (D-Braddock) noted that despite her district being miles from Tysons, the casino was one of the top three issues residents raised during her campaign.

"I'm hoping once this is done, we can move on from this, rather than continuing to have this battle every year," she said.

Also See ...

• Fairfax County Casino Bill's Fate Decided By Gov. Spanberger
• Union Rally Urges Governor To Sign Fairfax County Casino Bill
• Fairfax Leaders Urge Governor To Veto Tysons Casino Bill