After Mecklenburg County’s transportation bill passes Senate, do Charlotte residents support the tax hike?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Mecklenburg County’s transportation bill, also known as the P.A.V.E Act, is on the governor’s desk awaiting his signature.

It will then be up to local leaders to garner support of the one-cent transit sales tax.

Gov. Josh Stein is reviewing the P.A.V.E Act now and will have 10 days to take action on it. After getting his approval, it’s going to be all hands on deck for Mecklenburg County officials, who have between now and November to convince voters to stand behind the sales tax.

“I want to know how that plan will impact the area where I live right now,” said Wendy Pascual, who lives in east Charlotte.

Many people are asking how this will affect them, as they work to figure out where they stand on the proposal.

“What is that they want to do with the thing and how will that impact the community and to be able to make a decision and decide if I want to support it or not,” said Pascual.

While some aren’t on board yet, others are full-steam ahead

“I think it’s more than worth it,” said David Thomas, who lives in east Charlotte. “We got to make this investment and we don’t put the money in and  the city’s economy can hurt from that.”

Dozens of east Charlotte residents gathered at a town hall hosted by Charlotte City Councilwoman Marjorie Molina Thursday. They were there to learn more about the tax referendum, which is expected to generate nearly $20 billion over the next 30 years.

“Right now, I think we do have a pretty short runway right to get our community members up to date,” said Molina.

Charlotte leaders recognize the hurdles they face over the next few months to sell people on the idea. They’re optimistic they can get it done.

“People don’t want to pay more taxes, and referendums in other cities have been unsuccessful on occasion like this,” said Councilman Ed Driggs. “On the other hand, everybody sees the condition on the roads, and I think the story that we’re telling about the advantages that they can expect, the rail, the bus, the roads, sidewalks, bike trails. I think people will get excited about that.”

Mecklenburg County commissioners will have to hold a vote before the election in order to get the extra tax on the ballot. It’s unclear right now when that will happen.