Legislation for Mecklenburg County transit plan takes vital step in NC House
The P.A.V.E. Act allows Mecklenburg County to hold a ballot referendum for voters to decide on a one-cent sales tax increase to improve roads, buses, and rail transit. After the second reading passed 102-6, it will go to a third reading and then to the State Senate.
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The bipartisan bill's primary author is Republican Mint Hill Rep. Tricia Cotham, who is joined by Mecklenburg County Democrats Mark Belk, Becky Carney, Carla Cunningham, Aisha Dew, Beth Helfrich, Jordan Lopez, Nasif Majeed, and Julia Greenfield.
'Just like any good piece of legislation where others have had an input, it's not perfect, but it is a tremendous start,' said Rep. Tricia Cotham.
Cotham took the House floor Wednesday afternoon to explain why she believes her fellow lawmakers should proceed with the P.A.V.E. Act.
'As you all know, traffic adds to frustration, congestion, and just grumpy people, we see it every day, and I believe and I know this will help,' she said.
North Mecklenburg communities are celebrating the latest step on Wednesday as they prepare for a commuter rail from Uptown. Cornelius Mayor Woody Washam calls the bill a 'game-changer' that will bring 'real improvements that folks will feel right away.'
The funding would create a new governing authority and allow for the construction of the Red Line, Silver Line, extension of the Blue Line, a 'better bus' program, and road improvements.
The bill requires that the net proceeds of the bill be distributed as follows:
40% to the county's eligible municipalities, which can only be spent on roadway systems
60% to the metropolitan public transit authority to be used only for a public transportation system, specifically including microtransit services
All of the county's municipalities but Matthews have shown support for the plan.
'I wish that we could go back to the drawing board and renegotiate a better deal on behalf of our residents,' said Matthews Commissioner Ken McCool.
Matthews leaders have been outspoken against the idea from the beginning because there likely won't be enough funding to bring the light rail east. Commissioner McCool took his concerns to Raleigh this week.
'I'm disappointed, but at the end of the day, if this passes the Senate and goes to the governor's desk, the voters will ultimately decide and the voters of Mecklenburg County will have their choice to see what they want to do with this,' he said.
The commissioner plans to challenge Cotham for her District 105 seat in 2026, saying the transit bill played a role in motivating him. Queen City News reached out to Cotham for comment on the transit bill's progress and McCool's announcement. We are waiting to hear back.
The House will take one more vote before the bill makes its way to the Senate for approval.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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