Mecklenburg County leaders applaud Senate Bill 145, aiming to boost transportation funding
MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Local leaders from Mecklenburg County, including representatives from the City of Charlotte and the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Mint Hill, and Pineville, are celebrating the filing of Senate Bill 145, which promises to deliver unprecedented funding for regional transportation infrastructure.
If approved, Mecklenburg County may ask voters as soon as this year about implementing a 1-cent sales tax to fund road and public transportation projects. Senate Bill 145 mandates that 40% of the funds be allocated to road projects and 60% to public transportation.
This bill, backed by Senators Bill Rabon, David Craven, and Vickie Sawyer, is seen as a pivotal step toward meeting the growing transportation needs in the area.
MORE: Fate of Mecklenburg County transit sales tax now in state legislature's hands
Mecklenburg County officials said this bill's provisions are unique, as it allocates funds directly to local governments, granting them the authority to make decisions about critical infrastructure.
Officials said these funds will help address pressing road needs, including intersections, safety improvements, and other road enhancements within each community, offering immediate benefits to residents, commuters, and visitors.
Towns and cities in Mecklenburg County have reportedly faced an 'orphaned road' problem, where certain streets were left unfunded and neglected. This bill seeks to solve that issue by providing funding to address these gaps, alleviating the burden on residents who have had to reportedly deal with poor road conditions, vehicle maintenance costs, and delayed travel times.
MORE: Charlotte City Council approves sending transit tax plan to General Assembly
'The overall impact this legislation provides for our region is extraordinary and will enhance our opportunity to continue to meaningfully contribute to the state's economy,' Mecklenburg County leaders said in a statement released on Monday.
'Thank you to the members of the General Assembly for advancing this momentous piece of legislation,' Andrea Smith, interim president and CEO of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance said in a statement on Monday. 'Investments in transportation infrastructure are critical for the region's long-term competitiveness, success, and quality of life for all. The CLT Alliance will continue to deliver the business perspective on this critical topic and is committed to working with stakeholders across the region to make progress on transportation solutions.'
Local officials expressed their deep appreciation for the foresight of Senators Rabon, Craven, and Sawyer in introducing the bill. They also acknowledged the importance of strong collaboration between local governments and state lawmakers in achieving lasting progress.
MORE: Matthews leaders oppose transit sales tax with lack of light rail plans in town's immediate future
'We express our genuine gratitude to the forward-thinking sponsors of Senate Bill 145 and look forward to supporting them and their colleagues in the North Carolina House. Partnerships between localities and our state lawmakers, as demonstrated by the filing of this bill, are why our state continues to enjoy the success it has achieved,' Mecklenburg County leaders said.
'This region is at a remarkable inflection point. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in our future,' David Longo, board chair of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, said in a statement, released on Monday. 'Thank you to the lawmakers who understand what is at stake and are working toward ensuring a better future for us all.'
The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance noted this legislation will allow Meck County residents an opportunity to vote 'yes' for much greater investments in roads, transit, and bus systems.
MORE: Mint Hill leaders tout road funding from transit proposal; give jab at Matthews' negative position
The bill is now on its way to the North Carolina House, where local leaders are hopeful for continued support.
Statement from Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles to Queen City News on Monday:
I want to thank the many people who worked so hard to get us to this point and the members of the Metropolitan Transit Commission for their continued work. I also want to express my gratitude to Senator Vickie Sawyer, Chair of the Transportation Committee; Senators Bill Rabon, Chair of the Transportation Committee; and David Craven, Chair of the Finance Committee for introducing this bill and understanding the importance of this work to our region and our state. In a community that presents opportunity, where more people are arriving every day, this will provide infrastructure to support a good quality of life. It will help secure a more prosperous and better future through transportation investments. We still have a lot of work to do, but having a bill filed is an important milestone – one that we have been working towards for years. I look forward to the work in front of us, with our partners, to deliver on a future that will make a difference for all of us because it will make a difference in the quality of life for our region. It's also important to point out the creation and governance structure of a new regional transit authority is also critical to our region's long-term success. It is my strong desire that the structure that the city, county, and majority of towns agreed to remain intact.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles
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