The city of Richmond has been granted permission by its city circuit court to hold a second referendum for the proposed One Casino and Resort this November.
According to an order signed by Judge Reilly Marchant, the same budget proposal voters rejected last fall will be on the ballot again this year. The proposed budget for the project totals $565m.
The Richmond City Council and Mayor Levar Stoney called for another referendum earlier in the year. The council met in January and voted to hold another casino referendum. Katherine Jordan of the 2nd District said that she had misgivings about casino gambling and voted against the motion.
Stoney and several council members have proposed lowering the city’s real estate tax by two cents if voters approve this fall’s project. Councilwoman Stephanie Lynch said she is opposed to the real estate tax cut but instead proposed earmarking a third of all tax revenue from the project for public schools as a resolution.
Mayor Stoney said: “This special economic development opportunity in South Richmond gives the city an additional way to address equity and community wealth gaps. As the city continues to work on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the casino project can assist with leveling the playing field for many Richmonders who continue to struggle during these uncertain and unprecedented times.”
Senator Joe Morrissey said that a moratorium would overrule the judge’s order if the state’s adopted budget included the provision.
“The budget is a law. That law supersedes any city ordinance or court order,” he said.
Stoney said he is hopeful after the court ruling but acknowledged “that this is not the end.”
“We will continue to advocate with the General Assembly to preserve our right to pursue this game-changing opportunity,” Stoney said.
