Lawmakers in Raleigh Hold the Key to Billions in Transportation Upgrades
By Jack Beckett | The Charlotte Mercury
Charlotte’s entire transportation future is now in the hands of lawmakers in Raleigh. A new bill—if it survives the political gauntlet—could pump billions into expanding transit, fixing roads, and reducing congestion. If it fails, residents may be stuck in traffic for decades.
At the March 3rd City Council meeting, officials made their stance clear: this is a make-or-break moment.
“This is the biggest decision of the year for us,” said Councilmember Malcolm Graham. “If we don’t act now, we’ll be paying for it later.”
The Proposal: What’s on the Table?
If approved, Charlotte voters would decide on a one-cent sales tax increase to fund:
- 🚆 Light rail expansion (Silver Line: Matthews to the airport)
- 🚗 Road and bridge upgrades to reduce congestion
- 🚌 Bus system improvements for more frequent, reliable service
- 🚲 Safer sidewalks and bike lanes
This tax is expected to generate $8-$10 billion over the next 30 years.
Political Fight: Who’s For and Against It?
The North Carolina Senate is on board, with bipartisan support from key players like Senator Vicki Sawyer and Senator Bill Rehbun.
But in the NC House, the situation is murky. Speaker Tim Moore has not committed, and opposition is mounting from Republicans skeptical of transit spending.
Councilmember Ed Driggs: “We’ve shown we can execute. Now we need Raleigh to let us move forward.”
Opposition: Who Doesn’t Want This Tax?
Some lawmakers and business groups oppose the tax, arguing:
❌ Light rail is too expensive and doesn’t serve enough people.
❌ The tax will hurt consumers, even if tourists contribute.
❌ The city should fix existing infrastructure first before expanding transit.
A skeptic in the House put it bluntly: “Charlotte loves big promises. But taxpayers remember the ones that didn’t pan out.”
What Happens Next?
🔥 If state lawmakers approve the bill, Charlotte voters will get to decide in a November referendum.
❌ If they kill the bill, the city’s transit vision collapses, forcing leaders to scrap plans or find alternative funding.
Graham’s warning to residents: “Don’t come back in five years complaining about traffic if you let this fail.”
For now, all eyes are on Raleigh.
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Jack Beckett’s Mercury Bio:
Senior writer for The Mercury, caffeine-dependent since birth. If my coffee isn’t Summit, it’s a mistake. Find me at the nearest café pretending I’m working but really eavesdropping on your conversations for my next story. ☕💻
