The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill authorizing the Washington Capitals and Wizards' plans to build an arena in Alexandria moving forward. The bill now moves to the Virginia Senate, where its future is more uncertain.
The bill, which would create a quasi-governmental agency called the Virginia Sports Authority that would own arenas, land and office space, passed on a bipartisan 59-40 vote without any public debate in the House. Questions when the bill passed the plenary session.
The Virginia Sports Authority will issue bonds to fund the deal using direct funding from Monumental Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Capitals and Wizards, and a portion of the new tax revenue generated at the site. , plans to raise funds to repay the bonds. .
Monumental Sports released a statement saying it was encouraged by Tuesday's vote.
Meanwhile, a group of residents opposed to the arena issued a statement saying the proposed arena at Potomac Yards faces increasing opposition despite the House vote. Stop the Arena thanked Delsu. Elizabeth Bennet Parker (D-Alexandria) and Adele McClure (D-Arlington) voted against the bill.
“While there is still much to be resolved here in the city and between the private parties, I am committed to continuing the discussion and allowing this bill to improve as it progresses through the process. I'm voting yes today.' It's final,'' House Minority Leader Charniere Herring (D-Arlington, Alexandria) said before the vote. “Ultimately, no matter how good the opportunity is, we have to make sure we protect the interests of the people of Virginia and the city of Alexandria.”
In the Senate, the bill will likely start in the Finance Committee, chaired by Senate President Pro Tempore Luis Lucas (D-Portsmouth), who said Monday that as far as she is concerned, the bill is dead. He said that. The Senate version of the bill was allowed to die this week without a public hearing.
State Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax) told News 4 Monday that Democrats are concerned about whether Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin will consider their priorities.
“These are his priorities. We have priorities, too,” Surovell said. “We've talked about it a few times. He's never expressed a willingness to really discuss cannabis or minimum wage outside of, I think, Metro.”
A key part of the bill is a reenactment clause that, if passed, would require the General Assembly to reauthorize it within one year. So even if the bill passes and Mr. Youngkin chooses to sign it, it would inherit Democratic priorities, but they would still have a reenactment clause in hand that could tear up the arena agreement next year. There will be.
