Julian Walker
The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
Leaders in the General Assembly have a message for Norfolk City Council members seeking state permission for riverboat gambling along the downtown waterfront: Don't bet on it.
That admonition came Wednesday, a day after the council decided to add a riverboat gambling proposal to its legislative wish list.
"I certainly don't feel any support for it among members," said House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, when asked about the idea.
Previous efforts to approve riverboat gambling were defeated on bipartisan votes in the House, Howell noted. He said the legislature's opposition to such wagering remains solid.
That view is shared by some of his contemporaries.
Recalling that past attempts to approve riverboat gambling bills in the 1990s failed despite the support of then-Speaker Thomas W. Moss Jr. of Norfolk, Minority Leader Ward Armstrong predicted that any new proposal would have little viability.
Legislation filed in 1994 by former Del. Jerrauld C. Jones made it to a floor vote in the House but was rejected 55-42. Among those voting against it was then-Virginia Beach Del. Bob McDonnell.
Two subsequent bills didn't make it out of committee. Another bill in 1996 made it to the House floor but was soundly rejected.
McDonnell is now the governor. An aide said Wednesday that McDonnell's staff will review the proposal and make recommendations to him but offered no further specifics.
Moss, who's now Norfolk's treasurer, is hopeful that attitudes toward gambling have softened.
"There might be a little better atmosphere because of the recession," he said. "People leave here in buses every weekend to gamble in other states. We're losing money by not having those facilities ourselves."
Armstrong, D-Henry, doubts that there's been much shift in opinion.
"I know our economic woes are significant, but I don't think legalized gambling is the answer to it," he said.
"We might be able to get it through the Senate, but I just can't see it ever getting through the House," said Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw, a Fairfax County Democrat.
Norfolk Councilman Paul R. Riddick said he's spoken to Republicans about riverboat gambling and hopes to schedule a meeting with the governor, realizing that the proposal would need GOP support to pass.
Riddick said he might ask a Republican from outside Norfolk to sponsor the bill.
One name he can scratch off his list is Sen. Frank Wagner, R-Virginia Beach. He said he wouldn't carry a riverboat gambling bill if asked and is convinced the votes aren't there to pass one.
Such a bill is worse than "dead on arrival," he said.
"It's dead on suggestion."
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com
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norfolk needs to income
to pay some more people for doing NOTHING! Probably some more they want to pay since the city manager deal has now been completed. The city has sure gone downhill and WE'VE allowed it to happen! Time for us taxpayers to show that we're not going to take it anymore!!
Just another vice...
While not a gambler myself nor have I ever played a slot or any other kind of "Vegas style" gaming I would rather they allow riverboat gambling than to shrug it off.
I don't believe it would introduce any kind of problems that couldn't be handled with proper gaming regulation & taxation.
A new stream of tax revenue that only affects people who actually participate in those games is far more appealing to me than raising my payroll, property, vehicle or gas taxes.
That being said I think people who willingly throw their (presumably) hard earned money away are foolish. But if they are going to do it I say it's cheaper for them to fly or drive here than Vegas and much nicer than New Jersey!
It'll never happen
Virginia lives in the past -- 30 years behind other states -- and nothing will ever change. You'll never have the cooperation. Hampton Roads consists of so many cities for one reason alone: they can't agree on anything. There are no leaders here. Only wannabe politicians and followers. This is a nanny state. You can find illegal card games (there are many in Virginia Beach that I know of) if you try. However, legal gambling in Virginia won't happen. You have a better chance of hitting the lottery.
Let the people decide!!
Let the people vote on this !
Let the people of Virginia decide!
The delegates have their own agenda.
Typical government hypocrisy..
in that a lottery is operated, by the STATE, but other forms of gambling remain outlawed! I guess a good enough job of convincing the state legislature has yet to be made. Usually, if the govt, at any level, is assured of getting its 'cut' first and foremost, the stamp of legitimacy is bestowed quite quickly, and barriers removed. I wonder if a casino was proposed in VaBeach would the Councilman cited have such objections?
This should be a request via a combined effort of ALL our local city govts. I've been saying on these boards for a long time now that casinos are the best way to bring this area into a first class status, if some other things happen as well. But there obviously aren't the political guts or know how to make that so!
Ever been to Cherokee?
If you've ever been to Cherokee and started up the road through the Smokey Mountains, but turned and went up the road where the campgrounds are before going into the park, you may have seen this HUUUUUUUGE building.... It's a school. Fancier looking than anything I've ever seen around these parts! I like to refer to it as "The school the casinos built." Every time I drive by that thing, I can't help but wonder if we aren't missing the boat around here..... Just food for thought.
A Brand New Acronym From Our State Legislators...
NIYB...Not In Your Backyard.
A Brand New Acronym From Our State Legislators...
NIYB...Not In Your Backyard.
A Brand New Acronym From Our State Legislators...
NIYB...Not In Your Backyard.
Vote yes
Virginia needs to get with the program. People are going to states all around us to gamble.....with that, they buy dinners and many times go shopping. This is money Virginia should be keeping IN Virginia. Otherwise, do away with Bingo and Lottery - both of those are TOTALLY games of chance.