Senator Tim Kaine, a renowned voter from Richmond, Virginia, has opposed a proposed casino project in the city.
8News in Richmond reported that the ex-Virginia governor and lieutenant governor both opposed the referendum for One Casino + Resort.
Kaine, a member of the Democratic party and the junior senator of Virginia, participated in the early voting process of the commonwealth to exercise his right to vote.
Why Tim Kaine voted no to Richmond casino
The office of Tim Kaine provided a statement to 8News regarding his vote.
The senator’s team referred to a familiar argument against the Richmond resort proposal, which would make it the fifth city in Virginia to approve casinos during the 2020 election cycle. However, Richmond, the capital city of Virginia, postponed its vote for a year.
Despite overwhelming support from residents in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth for One Casino + Resort, there is vocal opposition in Richmond, which even includes a no vote from a current senator.
Kaine fundamentally holds the belief that a casino, despite its myriad advantages and disadvantages, is not the solution to the issues faced by the city.
According to Kaine’s office:
On Monday, September 20, Senator Kaine cast his vote against the casino proposal, expressing his belief in alternative methods to bolster economic development in Richmond.
Is there a consensus among the residents of Richmond as Election Day approaches on November 2nd? Does the project, which would be developed by Urban One in collaboration with Peninsula Pacific Entertainment/Colonial Downs, enjoy sufficient backing?
Still plenty of One Casino + Resort support
Despite Tim Kaine’s hesitation, there is still significant support for One Casino + Resort in other parts of the city, which has a population of 225,000.
Richmond will receive an upfront payment of $25.5 million if voters give their approval for the proposed $560 million southside resort.
Following the collection of feedback from residents regarding the allocation of funds, officials reviewed numerous messages advocating for the casino. Their intention is to utilize these funds for various purposes such as school-related projects, road safety, infrastructure projects, and walking infrastructure projects in and around the 8th District, which is the proposed location for the casino.
The following projects garnered the highest level of support:
- Emergency communications building
- Improvements to the I-95 and Commerce Road/Walmsley interchange.
- Southside Community Center
- James River Branch Trail
- Reedy Creek Wetland Park
Richmonders have been inundated with advertisements both supporting and opposing the Richmond casino in the past few weeks. Despite certain individuals expressing their opposition vocally, it is worth noting that One Casino + Resort continues to have significant endorsements, including that of Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney.
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