Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 20, 1994 TAG: 9401200187
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A12 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BONNIE V. WINSTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
"Yes, we're looking to leverage support," said Del. Jerrauld Jones, D-Norfolk, sponsor of the riverboat gaming bill. "It's legitimate for us to question the Disney project in the face of problems we have in Hampton Roads and our needs here.
"They're asking $100 million from the state and don't want to do anything for defense conversion for Hampton Roads. All we're asking for is an opportunity," he said.
Lawmakers from both regions said it's too early in the legislative process to tell if their respective projects are in jeopardy. But they agree there are no guarantees that either project is a shoo-in.
"It would be bravado to say I don't need" Northern Virginia's support, Jones said. "But they're mistaken if they believe a Disney project will walk right through here. Many of us have grave concerns about prospects for its success. Look at Euro-Disney, which took a beating; and attendance is off in Florida and California" at Disney theme parks.
While both the Disney project and gaming boats have been billed as draws for tourists and their dollars, neither enjoys 100 percent backing even among legislators in the areas most directly affected.
Some Hampton Roads lawmakers have looked askance at riverboat gambling, viewing it a threat to the millions of dollars in commitments that Virginia Beach and Portsmouth governments already have made to horse racing interests seeking to build Virginia's first pari-mutuel track in their back yards.
Likewise, some Northern Virginia lawmakers have looked askance at the proposed $650 million Disney theme park, questioning whether the state and affected localities would get their money's worth out of the millions of dollars all are being asked to contribute.
Gov. George Allen, who signaled his support for Disney during his State of the Commonwealth address Monday, has scheduled a briefing for lawmakers today on the project. Estimates for outright state aid, or state-backed bonds for the project, range from $60 million to $100 million.
Del. Vince Callahan, R-McLean, co-chairman of the Northern Virginia delegation, said a Disney request for $100 million from the state for infrastructure improvements would be "excessive."
"Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens moved into the state and didn't ask for any state money," Callahan said. "Disney is Disney and they think just because they are, they can maybe shake down the state."
But Callahan was angry at suggestions of horsetrading involving the Disney project and riverboats.
"I find that kind of thing abominable," Callahan said. "I would never engage in horsetrading of any sort. Each project should be voted on on its own merits."
But Jones and Del. Harry Parrish, D-Manassas, in whose district a portion of the proposed Disney project is situated, said such wheeling and dealing is routine.
"A lot of legislation enacted down here is a result of compromise," said Parrish, who wants both riverboat gaming and Disney in Virginia. "That doesn't bother me."
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994
by CNB