Latest news with #P.A.V.E.Act
Axios
03-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Mecklenburg County manager will assess taxpayers' ROI as he starts new job
Mecklenburg County is under new leadership for the first time in over a decade. Mike Bryant officially took the helm Monday, succeeding longtime manager Dena Diorio. Why it matters: The county manager oversees all the agencies and departments that serve you and your more than 1.2 million neighbors. One of Bryant's biggest tasks each year is recommending a $2.5 billion budget, approved by commissioners, that is packed with ripple-making decisions for the area's schools, parks, public health services and other needs. What he's saying: This is Bryant's "dream job." "I'm a public service junkie," he tells me. "I just firmly believe that there is no more notable field than public service." Context: He has been with Mecklenburg County for over 22 years, starting in 2003 in the budget department, a role traditionally regarded as the pathway to becoming a manager in local government. Bryant moved up to director of the Office of Management and Budget in 2014 and then deputy county manager in 2020. The big picture: Mecklenburg County already has a set list of priorities — health equity and wellness, education, services for seniors, workforce development, environmental stewardship, economic development and reducing racial disparities. Bryant says he'll step in to continue focusing on programming and investments for all seven. Yes, but: His tenure begins after a tough budget cycle. This year, the county budget included a 0.96-cent tax rate increase — an additional $36 a year for the median homeowner. The county had to implement a deferred half-cent tax rate increase from the prior year while addressing a revenue slowdown. What he's doing: Bryant says he wants to recommit Mecklenburg County to performance management, a framework for assessing the return on its investments. He's considering implementing a scorecard to track where money is going and the results. The card would better inform decisions, he says, related to adjusting the tax rate, launching new programs or continuing funding of existing programs. What he's watching: Uncertainty at the federal and state level. As the federal government works to reduce the national deficit, Bryant says cuts may impact services like Medicaid. "If they do that, and the state decides to push it down to counties as well, we're not in a position to supplant the large dollar amount associated with some of these decisions," he says. "You can't tax your way out of it." Mecklenburg County receives more than $170 million in federal revenue. Here's how he responded to other topics. Transportation: On the afternoon I sat down with Bryant, Gov. Josh Stein had just signed the P.A.V.E. Act, which authorizes the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners to put a 1-cent sales tax referendum on the November election ballot. Bryant spoke to commissioners about the measure Tuesday night, his second day on the job. The board scheduled a public hearing and a vote for Aug. 6 to place the item on the ballot. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: Bryant has seen past fractures between school leaders and the county, but says those relationships have been strengthened. "In terms of what level of say counties should have in schools, I think that's debatable," he says. "However, since we're a funding partner, there certainly should be some level of collaboration between the two." The City of Charlotte: Bryant envisions more opportunities for the city and county to team up on shared priorities, such as economic development and affordable housing. City manager "Marcus Jones and I have made a firm commitment that the city and county will work well together, and we've already gotten off to a good start," he shares. Brooklyn Village: Bryant says he understands concerns over the stalled, public-private development. While he says he can't share much now, the county recently met with the developers, and county staff are reviewing some of the presented options. "Everyone involved has an interest in adding more affordable housing and bringing back that identity associated with Brooklyn," Bryant says. "Where it gets debatable is, how do we go about it in light of the history of this project and where it stands today?" I asked him if his fresh leadership could have an impact on sticking with that project: "It can make a difference," he says. Public-private partnerships: He wants to do more.
Axios
01-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Former U.S. transportation secretary: I'm a "yes" vote on transportation sales tax
Former mayor of Charlotte Anthony Foxx says he's a "yes" vote on Mecklenburg County's transportation plan. Why it matters: As the U.S. Transportation Secretary from 2013 to 2017, Foxx has been to all 50 states and seen a "a lot of transit systems." "I've not seen a perfect one, but I have seen some good things," he told attendees during the July 1 Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum in Charlotte. The forum, held since the '70s, is a place where the local African-American community discusses pertinent issues. Zoom out: As the forum was taking place, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein took out his pen in Raleigh and signed a bill into law that will empower Mecklenburg County to hold a referendum for a 1-cent sales tax increase for transportation investments. If passed, the tax would generate $19.4 billion over 30 years. What he's saying: Foxx, whose signature transportation project as mayor was the Gold Line streetcar, acknowledged there are parts of House Bill 948, known as the P.A.V.E. Act, that are challenging — "One of them being how prescriptive it is about what needs to be spent on what." The bill requires that 60% of the money be spent on transit and 40% of the funds go to road projects, which could include sidewalks and bike lanes. Former Charlotte mayor pro tem Braxton Winston said he knows the region needs transit, but compared the bill to giving someone dying of thirst a gallon of milk: "It might bring some relief, but it ain't really what you need." Yes, but: Former Charlotte mayor Harvey Gantt, who chaired the task force that was the driving force behind the sales tax, asked, "What happens if we don't pass this?" Commissioner Leigh Altman said the county would be back to "square zero." Zoom in: Much of the discussion Tuesday focused on avoiding past mistakes, both of Charlotte and other cities. Attendees questioned why the Black community did not benefit from the Blue Line, and discussed how to ensure affordable housing is built and preserved along new rail corridors. Still, most of the room cheered when Rep. Aisha Dew announced that Stein had signed Mecklenburg County's bill. "I know we have a lot to discuss, but it's a good moment to celebrate," she said. The tone shifted to how to get voters, especially Black voters, to support the tax and how they would make the most of the opportunity. Foxx said leaders should think now about who they want to appoint to the 27-member transit authority that would make the big future decisions about how the transit system is built out. You can make it an equitable system, but that's up to us. Pass the referendum. But don't relax. Don't set it and forget it. It's day to day, line to line, stop to stop, driver to driver, brick by brick ... By the way, if we do this well, guess what? We've exercised the muscles that allow us to practice democracy well, more broadly, to show the country that some place can actually figure out how people can live together in a region. So I just think it's an opportunity for this region to demonstrate some things to this country that this country needs to see. — Foxx
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Josh Stein signs transit bill into law
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed the P.A.V.E. Act into law Tuesday morning. According to the legislation, this new bill will allow Mecklenburg County to propose a sales tax increase for transit. PAST COVERAGE: Transit bill awaits governor's signature, with new language to protect road funding The P.A.V.E. Act, which has been the subject of heated debate, would enable Mecklenburg County to ask voters to approve a penny sales tax increase. The revenue from this tax is projected to generate billions of dollars for improvements in rail, roads, and buses, aiming to alleviate traffic congestion in the area. Some of the proposed improvements and additions under the bill include a Red Line to Iredell County, light rail from the airport to east Charlotte and millions in road funding each year. All of this is now one step closer to reality after Stein signed the bill that will allow Mecklenburg County to decide its transit future. Mayor Vi Lyles, City Manager Marcus Jones and a few business leaders drove up from Charlotte to be inside the Executive Mansion as Governor Josh Stein officially signed the bill. Lyles thanked Rep. Tricia Cotham for 'moving mountains' and says she has no idea how she did it. Cotham said this has been a historic day for the region. 'This is good thoughtful policy, bipartisan work at its best,' she said. 'It's just so exciting to be here.' Senator Mujtaba Mohammed emphasized the importance of addressing traffic congestion and infrastructure needs in Mecklenburg County. 'We are experiencing longer commutes, more car accidents, higher car insurance premiums, more pedestrian accidents and less revenue to address our crumbling critical infrastructure,' he said. The next step is for the Mecklenburg County commissioners to officially vote to place this referendum on the ballot. Chairman Mark Jerrell said he expects that to happen at their first meeting in August. The bill will be presented to voters in Mecklenburg County in November. Ultimately, it will be up to the people to decide whether the tax increase will be implemented. Channel 9's Joe Bruno was in Raleigh for the signing of the P.A.V.E. Act and will provide continuing coverage this evening on Eyewitness News at 5 p.m. VIDEO: Charlotte transit bill clears major hurdle, one step from governor's desk
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill to improve transit for Mecklenburg County advances through the General Assembly
MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Plans to expand and improve Mecklenburg County's transportation infrastructure are one step closer to becoming reality. State senators voted Wednesday afternoon to pass HB 948, legislation that would allow voters to approve a new, one-cent sales tax in the county to fund transit initiatives. 'We're thrilled that the General Assembly has shown their support both in the House and the Senate for this bill. I think it goes to show that they understand that being able to continue to move efficiently is very important for any municipality in the state,' said Shannon Binns with Sustain Charlotte, a local nonprofit backing the tax. PREVIOUS | HB 948, also known as the P.A.V.E. Act, would enable the county to gather revenue to pay for a light rail expansion, improvements to roads throughout the county, and create new, faster bus routes. Legislators said 40 percent of revenue would go directly to municipalities, and 60 percent would go to a new, yet to be established, transit authority. 'This is what people in our area said they wanted, so we just are grateful they realized this is a local need,' said Binns. The one-cent tax and related plan have a lot of support throughout the county, including from Charlotte and the Town of Davidson. But leaders in Matthews oppose the tax, frustrated that the town was not included in a planned light rail expansion, set to be named the Silver Line. At Wednesday night's Metropolitan Transit Commission meeting, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles expressed her appreciation of the bill's authors, most of whom are from Mecklenburg County. 'We're very grateful to the relationships we've built, and the relationships that made this possible,' she said. 'I truly believe it is something that changes the way the city grows and the towns and the county doing something that we haven't had the funding to accomplish. We're really looking forward to the improvements to be made for all of our citizens.' Supporters hope to have the tax before voters during the municipal elections set for November 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Legislation for Mecklenburg County transit plan takes vital step in NC House
RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The bill that could eventually lead to the funding of Mecklenburg County's transit plan easily passed its second reading on Wednesday. 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. PREVIOUS: CATS board approves transit plan with expanded rail service, 'better bus' program 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.
