Citizens For Great Falls Outlines Key Legislative Priorities for 2026 General Assembly: CFGF Urges Opposition to Casino Expansion, Calls for Data Center Regulations, and Advocates for Local Control on Housing Policy
As the 2026 legislative session approaches, CFGF is urging state lawmakers to carefully consider a slate of policy positions aimed at protecting the county’s quality of life, economic interests, and local authority.
Casino Expansion Faces Strong Opposition
The CFGF Legislative scorecard, published November 16 makes clear its opposition to any effort by the General Assembly to authorize casino development within the county. Citing recent media polls, CFGF notes that a majority of residents do not support the casino project. They pointed out that the county’s comprehensive plans for areas around Silver Line Metro stations do not include a casino and that county officials have not requested casino approval, despite interest from outside developers.
They ask that while casino expansion is paused, CFGF backs a proposal to establish a Virginia Gaming Commission, asserting that a unified regulatory agency is necessary given the rapid growth of gaming—including online betting, gray market machines, and lotteries—across the Commonwealth. They also recommend a moratorium on new gaming facilities or online platforms until the commission is operational.
Data Center Boom Raises Infrastructure Concerns
With Virginia leading the nation in data center development, CFGF is calling for legislation to address the industry’s escalating demands on energy and water resources. CFGF’s leadership warns that the region’s infrastructure is under strain, and that cost burdens associated with expanding energy capacity should not fall on residential ratepayers.
The scorecard urges the General Assembly to require utilities to create a separate customer classification for data centers, ensuring these facilities bear the financial impacts of their resource consumption.
Education Funding and Modernization Remain Top Priorities
CFGF has advocated for modernization of the state’s K–12 education funding formulas, in line with recommendations from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission. CFGF leadership stressed that Virginia must fully meet its constitutional obligation to fund public education and oppose any legislative changes that could shift costs or reduce resources for Northern Virginia schools.
Environmental Protections and Stormwater Standards
With climate change increasing the frequency of severe storms, CFGF is urging lawmakers to update the state’s Stormwater Management Act. Current regulations, they argue, are based on outdated storm models and fail to address the risks posed by more intense weather events.
The CFGF is also calling for expanded authority to conserve open spaces and protect
environmentally sensitive areas, as well as new legislative tools for local governments to mandate higher tree canopy minimums and strengthen preservation requirements during development.
Housing, Zoning, and Land Use: Preserving Local Control
CFGF remains firm in its stance that local governments should retain authority over land use and zoning, opposing any state laws that would limit this power. They argue that local leaders are best positioned to tailor policies to community needs and that statewide mandates could undermine balanced growth.
Amid rising rents and a critical shortage of affordable housing, CFGF is asking the General Assembly to consider granting localities the power to enact anti-rent gouging ordinances, allowing them to rein in excessive rent increases and protect vulnerable tenants.
Transparency and Public Accountability
The scorecard supports strengthening the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA) to ensure government transparency. CFGF Leaders want to see changes that prevent officials from broadly interpreting disclosure exemptions, which can limit public access to records. Instead, they advocate for only exempting portions of records that are legally protected, keeping the rest open for public scrutiny.
Transportation Safety: Expanding Use of Speed Cameras
Speed-related crashes account for a greater share of traffic fatalities in Virginia than the national average, prompting CFGF to call for expanded use of automated speed enforcement technologies. Citing U.S. Department of Transportation data, they note that speed cameras have reduced crashes by more than 50% elsewhere and can provide continuous enforcement without diverting law enforcement resources. CFGF urges the General Assembly to fund and support wider adoption of these technologies at the local level.
As the legislative session nears, this year’s CFGF Legislative Scorecard and Priorities signals a clear commitment to policies that safeguard community values and local authority, reflecting residents’ priorities across a range of pressing issues.