Bill to allow referendum on northern Virginia casino advances in…

Posted on by warnerewl996728

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) – Legislation that would allow a referendum on a casino in the northern Virginia suburbs of the nation´s capital cleared a hurdle Wednesday when a state Senate committee voted to advance the bill.

The bill would allow Fairfax County to hold a referendum on placing a casino, as well as a convention center and concert hall, in Tysons Corner, in the heart of some of the nation’s wealthiest suburbs.

The favorable vote came even as civic groups and homeowner associations in the neighborhoods around the proposed casino are expressing opposition. Several senators noted that they have received hundreds of emails and letters opposing the plan.

Supporters, though, say the legislation merely allows the residents of the county to decide for themselves whether to allow a casino. They also note that the county’s board of supervisors would have to sign off on a referendum as well.

The bill now goes to the Senate Finance Committee for another round of review. It would then need to pass the full Senate, and then the House of Delegates, and finally get the signature of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. David Marsden, D-Fairfax, said a casino would help diversify the tax base of a county that has traditionally been the state’s economic engine and cash cow. But he said the post-pandemic economy has hit the county particularly hard, and that office space once filled with federal government contractors who desired physical proximity to the nation’s capital is empty now that many are working remotely.

“This is the canary in the coal mine that our economy is changing in northern Virginia, and we need this help,” Marsden said Tuesday at a subcommittee hearing.

The vote Wednesday in the Senate’s General Laws and Technology Committee was 10 in favor, with four opposed and one abstention.

Virginia voted in 2020 to allow locations in five cities, subject to referendum. Bristol, Danville, Portsmouth and Norfolk all voted for a casino; Richmond voters twice rejected a proposed casino in that city.

Another bill that passed the committee Wednesday would allow Petersburg to hold a referendum on a casino in place of Richmond.

Marsden said allowing a casino in northern Virginia provides geographic diversity and fairness. Legislative studies have also shown that a northern Virginia casino would generate more tax revenue than anywhere else.

He also said a northern Virginia location will draw gamblers from the wealthy Maryland suburbs like Potomac and Bethesda, allowing Virginia to recoup some of the money that now flows out of state when northern Virginia residents drive across the Potomac River to MGM’s massive casino in Maryland’s National Harbor.

Opponents have expressed concerns about traffic and crime. The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce supports the bill.

Also on Wednesday, the committee voted in support of legislation that would allow online sportsbooks to take wagers on games involving colleges located within the state.

If you have any questions regarding where and ways to utilize games of casino online, you could call us at our own page.

Ronnie O’Sullivan ignores snooker boss Steve Dawson months after row

Posted on by clydemauriello3

This is the excruciating moment Ronnie O’Sullivan ignores snooker boss Steve Dawson months after they had a war of words where he called The Rocket ‘misguided’, ‘disrespectful’ and ‘damaging’.

Relations between O’Sullivan, 48, and the World Snooker Tour (WST) chairman appeared to be ice cold in London’s Alexander Palace last night after the historic win over Ali Carter.

As Ronnie’ stood up to collect his trophy, he was reluctant to even look at Mr Dawson before he fist bumped him and Savvas Fellas, founder of online casino MrQ which sponsors the Masters.

The three then walk over to the snooker table to pose for pictures with the Paul Hunter trophy in front of them on the table.

Ronnie, who is now the oldest and youngest ever winner of the Masters, showed no interest in speaking to Mr Dawson and instead chatted animatedly to Mr Fellas.

As Ronnie’ stood up to collect his trophy, he was reluctant to even look at Mr Dawson

The snooker legend even turned his body away from Mr Dawson as he put his right hand down on the edge of the table

Ronnie, who is now the oldest and youngest ever winner of the Masters, showed no interest in speaking to Mr Dawson and instead chatted to Mr Fellas

Ronnie, who is now the oldest and youngest ever winner of the Masters, showed no interest in speaking to Mr Dawson (pictured)

The snooker legend even turned his body away from Mr Dawson as he put his right hand down on the edge of the table.  

As the snooker chairman looks at Ronnie trying to get his attention, The Rocket turns his face away and chats to the casino boss instead.

O’Sullivan only looks to his right when his son and daughter, who fans say ‘look more like Ronnie than he does’, joined him to pose for pictures after the other two left.

The excruciating encounter with the snooker boss seemed to go on forever and most fans will have a good idea why.

Back in March last year, Ronnie said snooker was ‘in the worst place it has ever been’ due to there not being enough prize money for competitors.

He told The Sportsman: ‘Listen, snooker is in a bad place. It’s in trouble. This needs at least another £50 million a year just to make it a proper tour.

‘When you look at the number, it’s bad. When you look at £10 million prize money for 25 events across the year for 128 players, it’s never going to be good.’

The greatest to ever pick up a snooker cue even suggested their needed to be a change of management at the top of snooker. 

He said: ‘It needs at least to triple that to make it work. Maybe you do need some proper people like Liberty [in Formula One] or someone with the vision to bring it up to date.

‘You look at the people actually managing the game, they are not the brightest sparks either. So you can’t see them digging themselves out of it.

‘But you don’t have to be Einstein. It is probably in the worst place it has ever been. The image of the sport, it’s a bit like a pub sport now.’

As the snooker chairman looks at Ronnie trying to get his attention, the Rocket turns his face away and chats to the casino boss instead

Ronnie O’Sullivan and his children, Lily and Ronnie Jnr, who fans said ‘look more like Ronnie than he does’

Chairman of the WST Steve O’Sullivan did not like what Ronnie said and questioned whether he was a good role model for the sport.

He said: ‘Ronnie is a fantastic player and a legend of our sport, but sometimes his misguided comments go too far.

‘I feel it’s necessary to respond to some of the damaging remarks he made to the press this week.

‘He often compares snooker to golf and tennis, but I would challenge him as to whether for his part he elevates the sport and acts as a role model like a Rory McIlroy or Roger Federer.

‘We are striving to take snooker to a higher level, but we need the players to be ambassadors in public, and to communicate any concerns they have through the right channels. 

‘Comments like those from Ronnie this week are damaging to us as a sport – and they’re unfounded.’

Then, in December last year, Ronnie claimed the snooker bosses wanted his ‘resignation’.

It wasn’t the first time Ronnie has been called ‘disrespectful’ either. 

After the Rocket pulled out hours before his first round match of the Scottish Open, Liam Graham, who he was due to play against, called him ‘disrespectful’.

He said: ‘It’s disrespectful, it’s not right. A lot of people took time off work to come and watch today and it’s disappointing.

‘It’s not surprising given the things he does. I found out when I got to the venue this morning. I didn’t have much prior warning – I think he pulled out very late.’

Ronnie O’SullivanMastersLondon

For those who have virtually any queries with regards to exactly where and the way to use casino online jackpot, you possibly can call us with the web-site.