Latest news with #Bill145
Axios
24-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Mecklenburg County now has two competing transit bills. Which prevails?
After years of uncertainty over whether a single funding bill would be introduced, two proposals have emerged in the North Carolina legislature that would empower Mecklenburg County to seek a transportation sales tax. Why it matters: If voters approve it, a 1-cent sales tax increase would generate an estimated $19.4 billion over 30 years. However, the competing bills in the House and Senate differ significantly in how the funds could be spent. Context: Senate Bill 145 caps the amount of money spent on rail projects at 40%. House Bill 948, filed by Rep. Tricia Cotham, allows for more flexibility: Up to 60% of the funds could be spent on public transportation, including rail, with the remainder reserved for road projects. The latest: At a transportation summit hosted by South Charlotte Partners on Thursday, elected officials and transit executives discussed the next steps. Charlotte City Council member Ed Driggs, who chairs the city's transportation committee, said the process of arriving at a final bill is ongoing. The bill will take effect with the budget, which is likely several months away from adoption, Driggs said. "That creates a little bit of an interesting situation for us," Driggs said. "If we want to have a referendum in November, we need to get busy." Between the lines: In her district, Cotham represents Matthews, where town leaders and residents are frustrated with a potential 40% cap on rail, as it would make funding the full Silver Line light rail to Matthews unrealistic. If Cotham's version of the bill prevails, Matthews can make a stronger case with the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) to prioritize its segment of the Silver Line in funding plans, Driggs said. The MTC is the board responsible for adopting long-range public transportation plans. The other side: Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell, who also represents Matthews, says while Cotham's bill offers more "wiggle room," the Silver Line remains a sticking point for her and many of her constituents. "There's been a real lack of interest in exploring how we can make this plan work for everyone," Rodriguez-McDowell said. "It really fails." While Driggs notes that Matthews represents just 3% of the population in Mecklenburg County, Rodriguez-McDowell argues that percentage downplays how many people travel to Matthews. The big picture: This is the closest Charlotte has gotten to advancing its transit plans after years of discussion. At Thursday's transit summit, speakers repeatedly referred to the plan as "generational" and a "game changer" because of the substantial revenue it would generate. For example, Davidson — a town with a $20-million budget — would receive $3.2 million in the first year for its roads. Yes, but: There's still a real probability the bill could stall in the General Assembly, or voters could reject the referendum, especially with unresolved debate over the Silver Line. "I want to sing 'Kumbaya' with everyone, but I just can't get on the same song sheet with y'all right now," Rodriguez-McDowell said. Driggs said the idea of "just not doing this" is terrifying. What's next: If the tax passes, money will start to flow in the middle of next year, Driggs said. Road improvements would begin soon after, while larger endeavors, such as the Red Line commuter rail, would be constructed over a 30-year period.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House OKs requiring state property-leases oversight
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — Lawmakers would have to agree with some long-term property leases that state government enters in the future under a proposal that has received final approval from the South Dakota Legislature. The House of Representatives voted 70-0 on Wednesday for Senate Bill 145. The Senate had previously passed it 35-0. The next stop is Gov. Larry Rhoden's desk. House Bill 1052 on CO2 pipelines passed. Now what? The legislation comes amid some lawmakers' concern about long-term leases approved during the administration of former Gov. Kristi Noem, such as the One Stop centers in Sioux Falls, Rapid City and several other communities. Republican Rep. Marty Overweg was the only House member to speak on the bill Wednesday. He was the lead House sponsor for SB 145. The prime sponsor is Republican Sen. Chris Karr. It adds a section to state law that affects a limited group of proposed real property leases by state government in the future. The bill states the legislative authorization must be in the form of a concurrent resolution, adopted by both chambers of the Legislature. The conditions when legislative authorization would be required are that the initial term of the lease exceeds a commitment of 15 years, and the base rent due during the initial term either exceeds $5 million in total for the rental payments due during the term of the lease, or the base rent exceeds $50,000 per month during the term of the lease. The affects those future leases which the state Bureau of Human Resources and Administrations seeks to enter after July 1, 2025. In that respect, it has no effect on any of the One Stop leases. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mecklenburg County sales tax increase inches closer to voter approval with new bill
MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A Mecklenburg County sales tax increase is a step closer to reality after lawmakers filed a new bill in Raleigh on Monday. Senate Bill 145 would allow voters in Meck County to either approve or reject a one-cent sales tax increase. That increase would fund future road projects and public transit expansion. It already has the support of Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. 'Well I'm supporting it because it's to actually help us grow in a way that's manageable, that we want people to have good paying jobs and they have to have an ability to get to work,' she told Queen City News. MORE | Lyles said the increase is needed to meet the demands of a rapidly growing metro area. 'It's worth a penny to be able to grow in a substantially safe, and heathy way,' said Lyles. SB 145 was filed by a trio of local Republicans. But during an event Monday at the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Pro Tem Phil Berger would not predict the bill's fate. 'We will see…the bill was introduced today; we'll see where things go as far as members are concerned,' said Berger. MORE | House Speaker Destin Hall gave a similar answer but argued his colleagues in the lower chamber should be able to see the merits of the legislation, 'Most of our membership understands it's important to invest in infrastructure, you've seen us do that across the state in a number of different areas.' Neither Hall nor Berger plans to lobby their fellow lawmakers to vote for the bill. If the bill can garner enough support within a finite period, it's possible Mecklenburg residents could vote on the increase by the end of the year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
