Latest news with #SenateBill145
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mecklenburg transit bill's chances remain '50-50,' Republican senators say
Senator Vickie Sawyer, who filed Mecklenburg County's tax bill to revamp the area's transit system, said the bill has '50-50′ chances of passing. Sawyer represents northern Mecklenburg County and Iredell County. She is also the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. She filed Senate Bill 145 in January. But the bill has yet to move forward, the Charlotte Observer reported. The bill filed would allow Mecklenburg County to add a sales tax referendum on the ballot. It would propose a one-cent sales tax to pay for roads and public transit. It would require 40% of the tax revenue to go toward road projects and 60% to go to fund public transit, according to the Charlotte Observer. Transportation needs are the 'No. 1 issue' for lawmakers, Sawyer told the Charlotte Observer. And she said this is true for lawmakers across the state, not just in Mecklenburg County. 'I've said this from the very beginning, we have to look at a statewide approach to transportation funding,' Sawyer said. 'And if Mecklenburg County should get this, then every county should have the same opportunity, right?' She said representatives across the state need to provide more tools for their counties. 'I see a statewide approach as an ability to do that, and it doesn't mean the one-size-fits-all,' Sawyer said. Sawyer told the Charlotte Observer that Charlotte has a need for public transit, but Iredell needs to address orphan roads that were never transferred to the state or municipality for maintenance. READ: Transit momentum: Newly filed bill would allow sales tax increase for transit Senate leader Phil Berger told reporters that he believes the bill will move forward during this legislative session. 'I think it's still something that folks are interested in getting across the finish line,' Berger told reporters. 'We've just continued to have conversations, and I'm still of the opinion that it's something that we will see pass.' She said the Republican party is making efforts not to be 'picking winners and losers.' And she said it is hard to find support for a tax increase from Senate Republicans. Union County Republican Senator Todd Johnson told the Charlotte Observer that he doesn't think the bill has a chance. He said that Union and Iredell Counties would be the 'losers' if this bill passed. 'The only way to appropriately address the issue would either be one of two things: do nothing, or a statewide approach, because when you're cherry-picking one particular county, municipality, any subdivision of government, then there's obviously going to be winners and losers from that,' Johnson said. The southern edge of Mooresville in Iredell had been included in the plans for the Red Line, which is first on Charlotte's project list. But some Iredell County officials have expressed concerns over allowing the Red Line to extend into their county. Johnson said the bill needs too much work to be placed on this year's ballot. But Sawyer said the timing depends on how the rest of the session goes. WATCH: Transit momentum: Newly filed bill would allow sales tax increase for transit
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CATS leaders set to wrap up public meetings in the west corridor
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The plan is to show people what public transportation could look like in the Queen City over the next 30 years. The last in a series of public meetings will wrap up tonight in Charlotte's west corridor as CATS leaders discuss the long-term transit system plan. CATS leaders have been working on these plans for a while now, and this is the second phase in a four-phase process. They want to inform the public about the long-term plan and get recommendations. RELATED: CATS gathering feedback on public transit expansion, potential sales-tax increase The meetings have discussed everything from building the newly proposed red line to the financing for many of the projects in Charlotte and the surrounding areas in Mecklenburg county. There are four different scenarios for public transportation moving forward, according to CATS. The first scenario has more light rail mileage, with the building of the Red line and the extension of the Blue and Gold lines. The fourth scenario still has the building of the Red Line, but there would be a heavier focus on bus rapid transit in some areas. Of course, this all comes down to funding, and the price tag for the plan is an estimated $17.5 billion over 30 years. If the one-cent sales tax referendum is voted on and passes, it would raise $19.4 billion over that same time. Currently, Senate Bill 145, which would allow Mecklenburg County to place a referendum on the ballot for a one-cent sales tax increase, has been introduced but not moved much further. The meeting in the west corridor will wrap up five public meetings talking about the different transportation plan scenarios. Later this spring, CATS leaders will release the recommendations made during these public input sessions. If you can't make the meeting but would still like to voice your recommendations, you can do so on the . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Financing approved for Charlotte to purchase O-line from Norfolk Southern as transit legislation hangs in the balance
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Charlotte City Council has taken another step in its plans to create a long-awaited passenger rail. At Monday night's meeting, city leaders unanimously approved the financing in its acquisition of Norfolk Southern's O-line from uptown to the Iredell County line. The parties agreed to a sale of the 22 miles of right of way last September for $74 million, which will officially involve a $93 million financing contract. There was no discussion Monday from council members or citizens on the item. Mecklenburg County leaders applaud Senate Bill 145, aiming to boost transportation funding The Charlotte Area Transit System plans to add the Red Line commuter rail along the corridor into northern Mecklenburg County. Further planning is required to extend it into Mount Mourne in Iredell County. The same day as the O-line agreement, City Council also approved the purchase of approximately 1.6 acres for $17 million for the future Charlotte Gateway Station, off Graham Street uptown. The North Carolina Local Government Commission is expected to review and approve the variable rate installment financing at their April 2025 meeting. The Red Line is part of a 1-cent sales tax legislation to create a new transit board that's now in the hands of the General Assembly. With state approval, it would then be placed as a referendum on the November ballot for Mecklenburg County voters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Senate OKs oversight of property leases, projects
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota Senate has given unanimous approval for lawmakers to have more control over long-term property leases that state government enters, as well as state Department of Game, Fish and Parks projects and leases costing more than $2.5 million. Republican Sen. Chris Karr is prime sponsor of both measures. The 35-0 votes on Monday sends them forward to the House of Representatives for further action. They are in response to deals that were made in the past six years while Kristi Noem was governor. DOC official: No contingency if new prison plan fails Senate Bill 144 would require legislative approval for GFP works. Senate Bill 145 would require legislative approval for 'any proposed real property lease by the state where the initial term of the lease exceeds a commitment of fifteen years and the base rent due during the initial term either exceeds $5,000,000 in total for the rental payments due during the term of the lease or $50,000 per month during the term of the lease.' In recent years, state government entered into leases for One Stop centers in several cities that are costing significantly more than when the services in those communities were offered at various locations. Data provided in the past to the Legislature's Joint Committee on Appropriations showed: In Sioux Falls, the One Stop lease cost $7,648,618 per year. That was a $5,598,740 increase. In Rapid City, the One Stop lease cost $1,760,250 per year. That was a $1,125,056 increase. In Spearfish, the One Stop lease cost $382,610 per year. That was a $197,983 increase. In Huron, the One Stop lease cost $328,474 per year. That was a $211,154 increase. In Madison, the One Stop lease cost $113,738 per year. That was a $29,018 increase. Karr noted that state agencies in turn also needed $11 million of new furniture when they moved into the new locations. The Senate on Monday approved a third Karr measure, Senate Bill 146, that would further restrict financial transfers within state government. 'These would stop those things from happening,' he told reporters afterward about the three-bill package. Karr said the oversight would be required regardless if the project resulted from a gift. Had the legislation been in effect, it would have covered the One Stop leases as well as projects such as the shooting range complex outside Rapid City that GFP plans to open later this year, at an estimated cost of $19.5 million, and the Outdoor Campus East renovations in Sioux Falls that will cost an estimated $6.5 million. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mecklenburg reaches ‘inflection point' as NC legislators file transportation tax bill
Charlotte's plan to overhaul the region's transportation system and sway a skeptical legislature officially began Monday when a trio of prominent Republican senators filed a long-awaited tax bill. The bill filed Monday is Senate Bill 145. Its primary sponsors are Sens. Bill Rabon, David Craven and Vickie Sawyer, whose district covers part of northern Mecklenburg County. Rabon and Sawyer also are chairs of the Senate Transportation Committee. Craven is a chair of the Senate Finance Committee. If passed, Mecklenburg County could ask voters as early as this year whether to add a 1-cent sales tax to pay for roads and public transportation. SB 145 requires 40% of proceeds to go to road projects and 60% to go to public transportation. The measure already received support from all Mecklenburg cities and towns, except Matthews, which proposed a higher tax to ensure a light rail line extends there. The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, the area's most prominent business advocacy group, added its endorsement Monday by saying Mecklenburg County's 'outstanding quality of life is threatened by increasing congestion.' 'This region is at a remarkable inflection point,' CLT Alliance Chair David Longo said in a news release. 'We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in our future.' The bill's introduction came on the same day Republican General Assembly leaders visited the alliance to discuss the legislature's 2025 session. Sawyer has cautioned the bill's passage remains uncertain in the GOP-dominated chamber. Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall remained mum Monday on their opinions about the transportation tax effort. But Berger praised Charlotte-area leaders for collaborating on the tax referendum package, and Hall offered a dash of optimism about its chances. 'I cannot over emphasize how impressed I've been with the willingness of local governments and local officials to work together to come to this point,' Berger said. Key parts of Senate Bill 145 include: ▪ Allowing the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners to direct election officials to put a sales tax referendum on the ballot that asks voters whether they are 'for' or 'against' a 1% sales and use tax in addition to other existing taxes. ▪ If voters approve the referendum, the tax can only start if the N.C. General Assembly creates a new public transportation authority for the county. A draft bill from local leaders last year called for an authority with 27 members appointed by Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, the county's towns and state leaders to govern the Charlotte Area Transit System. Berger told reporters Monday the authority would be introduced as a separate bill for procedural reasons. ▪ Tax revenue for roads would be distributed to each city and town in the county using a formula outlined in the bill. ▪ The public transportation revenue could be used for buying, building or operating a public transportation system, but the bill says no more than 40% of the total tax revenue can go to rail projects over any 30-year period. And the new public transit authority must complete at least 50% of the Red Line from uptown to Lake Norman towns before completing any other rail project. There's an exception for unexpected events such as natural disasters. ▪ CATS leadership in January presented four scenarios that are affordable with the 40% cap on rail. All four options fully fund the Red Line, an expansion of the Gold Line streetcar system and overhaul of CATS' bus system. They also lay out options for completing all or some of the Silver Line light rail project to the airport and Blue Line expansion as light rail or bus rapid transit. ▪ The authority can use its money to reimburse the city of Charlotte for buying train tracks from Norfolk Southern for the Red Line. The Charlotte City Council voted last year to spend $74 million to purchase 22 miles of rail corridor from Norfolk Southern and an additional $17 million for 1.6 acres of land along Graham Street near the Gateway Station. The bill would provide for 'unprecedented funding for roads, transit and bus systems that will have both immediate and long-term impacts for our commuters, residents, and visitors,' the managers of Mecklenburg County, Charlotte and every town in the county but Matthews said in a joint statement Monday. In a separate statement Monday, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said the bill 'will help secure a more prosperous and better future' for the region. '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,' she said. '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.' Lyles added in her statement she wants the governance structure 'that the city, county, and majority of towns agreed to remain intact.' Berger and Hall spoke at the CLT Alliance's uptown headquarters Monday, addressing a crowd that featured local elected officials, members of Mecklenburg County's legislative delegation and business leaders. Neither took questions from the crowd, but they addressed the transportation bill in their remarks about the 2025 session. Hall became House speaker this year after Tim Moore won a seat in Congress. He told Monday's crowd the transportation tax bill is 'heading in the right direction' because 'both sides of the aisle' and the business community 'explained the need for the investments and how you're really spending money to save money and create growth in the area.' 'It doesn't mean it's going to be easy,' Hall said. 'I imagine it's going to be a bill that's well litigated through the General Assembly among the various committees in the chambers, and maybe something that it takes most of the long session to get to a good place on but, but I know that there are a number of folks who are committed to doing something on it.' Hall pledged to review data about the most efficient ways to move people and 'grow responsibility.' Berger lauded local leaders for reaching a compromise deal, but cautioned that changes could be made as the bill makes its way through the legislative process. 'The rest of the news is that we ain't there yet, and so we will see how to get us and get you from where we are at this point to where you all want to go,' he said. Speaking to reporters after the event, Berger said he's encouraging members of the Republican caucus 'to look at the proposal and understand the reasons for it.' 'They'll have to make their individual decisions on what they're going to do,' he said. Sawyer has cautioned it won't be easy to get through the General Assembly. An advocacy group posted portions of email exchange with Sawyer earlier this month in which she said the bill was 'a long way from being palatable to have enough votes to even get to the floor.' She told the Observer at the time 'nothing really new has changed' but the bill remains 'very difficult' to pass in a Republican-dominated legislature generally averse to tax increases. The CLT Alliance noted in its statement Mecklenburg voters will decide whether to increase taxes if the legislature allows it to be put to a vote. '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,' interim President and CEO Andrea Smith said. Alliance Chief Advocacy Officer Joe Bost said 'it's premature' to pick a cut-off date for the referendum to make the 2025 ballot. Developer Ned Curran added the business community has already started working with other community groups and elected officials on efforts to educate both legislators and the public about the bill and the potential referendum. 'We're shooting for it to be on the ballot in November 2025,' he said. Lyles told WCNC that if the region fails to get a referendum on the 2025 ballot, the city would try again in 2026.
