Topic
Charlotte city and Mecklenburg County budget coverage.
Commission Chair Mark Jerrell delivered his 2026 State of the County address, covering $390 million in new economic development projects, $334.6 million in housing investments since 2018, a record…
Jack Beckett·Mar 26, 2026
Mecklenburg County's $64.5 million Ella B. Scarborough Community Resource Center drew fewer than 150 visitors per day in its first eight months.
Jack Beckett·Mar 25, 2026
Mecklenburg County's CFO recommended shifting one cent of the property tax rate — roughly $30 million per year — from the capital improvement plan to operating, triggering a full pause on the…
Jack Beckett·Mar 25, 2026
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is asking Mecklenburg County for $698.6 million to fund a $1.97 billion operating budget — including a fourth consecutive 5% teacher supplement increase — while North…
Jack Beckett·Mar 25, 2026
Charlotte City Council spent Q1 2026 juggling a razor-thin budget, a toll lane revolt, affordable housing policy, and a transit authority handoff with a July deadline.
Jack Beckett·Mar 15, 2026
A holiday meeting turns serious fast: homelessness strategy shifts, Atrium's housing claims, board appointments, and a divided vote on a SoFi incentive package.
Jack Beckett·Dec 17, 2025
Federal shutdown hits day 34 as Charlotte votes on $19B transit tax. How Washington chaos, Raleigh redistricting, and local politics collide three weeks before Election Day.
Jack Beckett·Nov 2, 2025
Wells Fargo's last fake‑accounts case ends with a $0 fine for a former executive, drawing outrage from a Charlotte writer duped by the bank. Is this justice for millions affected?
Jack Beckett·Oct 24, 2025
Dozens of America's most powerful companies and billionaires are bankrolling President Trump's $300 million White House ballroom — a project built on influence as much as marble.
Jack Beckett·Oct 23, 2025
A $3 million federal safety plan sparked a bigger question at City Council: should Charlotte keep paying consultants, or rebuild in-house capacity to deliver projects and keep the know-how.
Jack Beckett·Oct 14, 2025
The state auditor urges Charlotte to enter the $305,000 CMPD settlement into public minutes and to consider using the Risk Management Fund instead of the General Fund.
Jack Beckett·Sep 12, 2025
Charlotte developers seek $3M in taxpayer funds for $8M Excelsior Club revival. Historic venue would be demolished and rebuilt as replica despite sub-1% ROI.
Jack Beckett·Sep 5, 2025
A hard look at the week: Mecklenburg's transit tax hits the ballot, the governor signs a stopgap budget and vetoes a school-choice tax credit, and local transparency fights simmer in Charlotte.
Jack Beckett·Aug 10, 2025
Waxhaw's Kotto Paul gets 15 years after steering a $17 million loan fraud that snagged 17 banks and eight allies, federal judges say.
Jack Beckett·Jul 10, 2025
Mecklenburg County liquor sales hit $71M, with tequila climbing and whiskey sinking. Tito's still king.
Jack Beckett·Jul 8, 2025
