A top Democratic Virginia lawmaker has taken a firm stance against including language in the state budget that would facilitate the proposed relocation of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals to Alexandria. The lawmaker, who chairs the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, emphasized her opposition to the project, citing concerns about its benefits for the Commonwealth.
The proposed relocation, part of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin's plan, aims to lure the teams across the Potomac River with a $2 billion development district featuring a new arena. However, the lawmaker's opposition poses a significant challenge to the proposal, which has been a key priority for the governor.
The budget is the final legislative avenue for the relocation deal after standalone versions were effectively halted earlier in the session. The governor's office is expected to provide further comments on the matter in the coming days.
The plan involves the creation of a $2 billion development in Alexandria, with public financing contributing to the project. While proponents argue that project revenues will cover the debt, critics have raised concerns about the financing mechanism and the potential financial risks for taxpayers.
The budget bills are currently under review by a conference committee, with details of a compromise plan set to be unveiled soon. The lawmaker's firm stance against the inclusion of the arena in the budget signals a potential roadblock for the project moving forward.
If the arena language is excluded from the budget, the governor may seek amendments to reinstate it or call for a special session to restart the process. The political implications of the arena deal extend beyond the relocation itself, with both Democrats and Republicans using it as a bargaining chip in broader negotiations over various legislative priorities.
