Youngkin’s budget veto allows Henrico Rosie’s to open as planned

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — On Monday, Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed several line items, including one that directly impacts the Rosie's Gaming Emporium, slated to open in Henrico County.

The veto was made to budget language that would have required companies like Rosie's to receive input from voters before being built or operated.

The construction project has caused quite the controversy over the last several months. Residents in Henrico have argued that they were unable to vote on the project being built in the Staples Mill shopping center before it was approved. 

Rosie’s parent company, Churchill Downs, filed its building permit in June 2024 -- just days before Henrico County leaders required applicants to hear from the public.

Youngkin explained that he didn't believe the vetoed budget language was appropriate.

"That was a site that they had agreed with the county. They received all the permits they needed to start building. They had invested, invested $5 million in this new site, and then someone came and tried to change the rules on them," Youngkin said.

In response to Youngkin's veto, the Henrico County Government released the following statement,

“Henrico County is profoundly disappointed by the governor’s decision to remove voters from having a direct say in whether historical horse racing slot machine operators, such as Rosie’s, should operate in their backyards.

In bipartisan fashion, the General Assembly outlined a transparent, public process that would give voters a voice in whether their communities should welcome these facilities. But instead of empowering voters, the governor’s decision rewards Rosie’s and similar companies that are uninterested in healthy, public engagement that is at the heart of a democracy.

‘As we’ve seen repeatedly in recent months, Rosie’s has done nothing but hide from Henrico’s voters and skirt meaningful discussion of its potential presence within our community,’ said Dan Schmitt, chair of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors. ‘There will never be a day where Henrico County doesn’t fight for the voice of its residents.’”

Local leaders like Senator Schuyler Vanvalkenburg (D-Henrico) have been fighting to give voters a voice, and expressed his disapproval of the decision.

"[I'm] mostly disappointed for the citizens of Henrico because at the end of the day, right, it's their voice that's being muffled. And I just think, like, there's no other way to understand this than to see that the governor decided with special interests over and regular citizens over his constituents," Vanvalkenburg said.

Vanvalkenburg said he'll try to get the veto overturned when the General Assembly reconvenes next week.

"His action is not the final word, we can override that with two-thirds votes in both houses. Look, that's a big task and it's going to be very difficult to be able to do that, but we're going to try," Vanvalkenburg said.

Churchill Downs, Inc. issued the following statement to 8News in response to the veto,

“Henrico County has repeatedly confirmed that this project complies with all laws, regulations, and requirements including the passage of a voter referendum on parimutuel wagering. During months of engagement and discussions, County leadership accepted the project location and even requested a new distinct brand especially for this boutique, high-end gaming facility. Henrico County approved a building permit in November 2024 and construction is well underway with more than $5 million invested to date. The vetoed budget language would have sent a very negative message to Virginia businesses that laws and regulations can change without warning even after projects have been approved, permits have been issued, and contracts have been signed. Roseshire is slated to open its doors later this year and we look forward to welcoming guests from across Central Virginia.” Churchill Downs, Inc.