Scott Surovell

Historic River Farm secures permanent protection after fight over potential sale

Published May 1, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated May 4, 2026 at 4:55PM

River Farm welcome sign (photo by Tadi Abedje)

Once part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon plantation, River Farm is now a historic landmark that has been owned by the American Horticulture Society (AHS) for over five decades. Its gardens and scenic views play host to special occasions such as weddings and memorial services.

The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust and American Horticulture Society announced that River Farm has received formal, permanent protection with a conservation easement, a milestone celebrated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony this afternoon (Friday).

Countywide

General Assembly rejects amended bill on collective bargaining for public workers

By Emily Leayman

Published April 23, 2026 at 2:45PM

Public workers associated with unions called for Gov. Abigail Spanberger to sign the original legislation expanding collective bargaining rights (via Bert Shepherd)

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D)’s substitute to Fairfax County legislators’ collective bargaining bill has been rejected by the Virginia General Assembly.

The General Assembly is holding a reconvened session to consider the governor’s amended and vetoed bills, including SB 378 and HB 1263 from Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) and Del. Kathy Tran (D-18). The General Assembly did not take up Spanberger’s substitute to the legislation yesterday or today (Thursday).

Countywide

Fairfax County supervisors hope to move beyond annual battles over Tysons casino

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 15, 2026 at 10:00AM

Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn with anti-casino forces in 2025 (courtesy Hunter Mill District Office)

Fairfax County supervisors opposed to a bill that would’ve allowed a casino in Tysons said this week they hope Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s veto of the legislation puts an end to the matter once and for all.

“This has been a distraction — our residents have been traumatized,” Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn said at the Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday (Tuesday).

Countywide

BREAKING: Gov. Spanberger vetoes Fairfax County casino bill

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 9, 2026 at 4:50PM | Updated April 9, 2026 at 5:32PM

A 'No Fairfax Casino' sign (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has rejected legislation that would’ve opened the door for a casino in Fairfax County.

The governor vetoed SB 756 from Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell today (Thursday) ahead of an April 13 deadline for her to take action on all of the bills passed by the General Assembly during its 2026 session.

Countywide

Fairfax County supervisors urge Spanberger to veto casino bill

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 16, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated March 16, 2026 at 3:24PM

Virginia Senate chamber during final vote on SB 756 on March 14, 2025 (via Senate of Virginia/YouTube)

Despite weeks of debate and revisions, the Senate Bill 756 that the Virginia General Assembly sent to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk before adjourning on Saturday (March 14) wound up being exactly the same as the one introduced when the legislative session began in January.

After requesting a second conference to some groans from his colleagues, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) reverted to his original language for a new substitute bill to allow casino gaming in Fairfax County, limiting potential sites to a 1.5-million-square-foot mixed-use development in Tysons but otherwise treating Fairfax the same as the five cities in Virginia already eligible to host a casino.

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BREAKING: Revised bill would allow temporary Tysons casino without local approval

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 13, 2026 at 10:30PM | Updated March 14, 2026 at 10:49AM

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell seeks support for SB 756, which would make Fairfax County eligible to host a casino (via Senate of Virginia/YouTube)

The bill to allow a casino in Fairfax County has reemerged after nine days of negotiations with some significant changes from the version that passed the Virginia House of Delegates earlier this month.

The State Senate voted 22-16 today (Friday) to accept a substitute for Senate Bill 756 that would allow a temporary casino establishment in Fairfax before a referendum to permit a permanent development goes to voters.

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BREAKING: Fairfax County casino bill passes House of Delegates

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 4, 2026 at 2:00PM | Updated March 4, 2026 at 5:59PM

Del. Rodney Willett asks the House of Delegates to pass Sen. Scott Surovell's Fairfax County casino bill (via Virginia House of Delegates)

Legislation that would pave the way for a casino in Fairfax County will soon head to Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who could sign, amend or veto it.

The Virginia House of Delegates passed SB 756 from Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell initially by 64-32 today (Wednesday), advancing a legislative effort that has gained momentum over the past few years alongside increasingly vocal opposition from many local residents and elected officials.

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BREAKING: Fairfax County casino bill heads to full state House

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 27, 2026 at 6:00PM

House Appropriations Committee legislative fiscal analyst David Reynolds presents Senate Bill 756, which would make Fairfax County eligible for a casino (via Virginia House of Delegates)

It took three attempts by two different patrons, but legislation to potentially allow a casino in Fairfax County appears to be heading toward adoption.

After setting aside a similar bill last year, the Virginia House Appropriations Committee voted 18-4 earlier today (Friday) to advance SB 756, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, to the full chamber.

Countywide

Amended Fairfax County casino bill sets referendum deadline, splits tax revenue evenly

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 25, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated February 26, 2026 at 12:50AM

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell presents his Fairfax County casino bill to the House General Laws Committee on Feb. 24, 2026 (via Virginia House of Delegates)

A bill to make Fairfax County eligible for a casino is advancing through the Virginia House of Delegates after undergoing some significant changes from the version passed by the state Senate earlier this month.

The House’s General Laws Committee voted 12-7 yesterday (Tuesday) to send Senate Bill 756, patroned by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34), to the chamber’s appropriations committee. All four delegates representing portions of Fairfax County, including committee chair Del. Paul Krizek (D-16), opposed advancing the legislation.

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SCOOP: Draft study estimates tax potential of Fairfax County casino development

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 20, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated February 20, 2026 at 2:37PM

A lobbying flyer shared with state lawmakers in January 2025 includes a rendering of Comstock's envisioned casino development in Tysons (via Access Point Public Affairs)

Fairfax County could benefit economically from a casino-anchored development, but the numbers might be more modest than previously shared projections, an internal review by the county suggests.

A Fairfax County casino would produce an estimated $313.6 million in gaming revenue, delivering $62.1 million in local and state taxes, the county’s Department of Management and Budget said in a summary of a feasibility study it commissioned from the consultant MuniCap.