Gov. Stein signs P.A.V.E. Act into law, paving the way for transit transformation in Mecklenburg County

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Governor Stein officially signed six new bills into law on Tuesday morning, including one that could reshape transportation in Mecklenburg County for years to come.

One of the most talked-about measures is House Bill 948, better known as the P.A.V.E. Act, short for Public Access to Valuable Equity.

This legislation opens the door for a November ballot referendum, where Mecklenburg County voters will decide whether to approve a one-cent local sales tax to invest in a more modern, accessible, and sustainable transportation system.

“Today is a game-changer for our region,” Shannon Binns, Executive Director of Sustain Charlotte, said in a written statement. “For years, we’ve dreamed of giving residents the chance to fund more frequent buses and trains, safer bike lanes, sidewalks, and safer streets for all. With Governor Stein’s signature, that dream moves from the advocacy stage to the ballot box. When Mecklenburg County prospers with better mobility, every family, no matter their zip code or income, gains access to opportunity, cleaner air, and a higher quality of life.”

“This is more than a transportation bill, it’s a generational opportunity to shape how our
region grows and connects,” Shelly Cayette-Weston, President of Business Operations for
Charlotte Hornets/Hornets Sports and Entertainment said in a written statement. “This is a powerful example of how local and state leaders can work together to create bold solutions.”

What the P.A.V.E. Act does

The P.A.V.E. Act gives Mecklenburg County the authority to:

• Put a one-cent sales tax proposal before voters this November
• Use funds to improve roads, expand public transit, and enhance bike/pedestrian infrastructure
• Tackle traffic congestion while reducing air pollution from vehicles

It also makes changes to local tax laws, including updates to the county’s “U-Drive-It” vehicle tax and existing transportation-related sales tax rules, to support this effort.

The measure was championed by Representative Tricia Cotham and earned bipartisan support in the General Assembly before arriving on Governor Stein’s desk. If voters say yes this fall, the new tax could generate hundreds of millions of dollars for projects aimed at:

• Expanding bus and light rail service
• Building sidewalks and protected bike lanes
• Supporting Vision Zero initiatives to make streets safer
• Reducing tailpipe emissions, the leading source of local climate pollution

For Mecklenburg County residents, that means shorter commutes, cleaner air, and more transportation options, especially in underserved neighborhoods.

Now that the P.A.V.E. Act is law, it’s up to the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners to place the referendum on the November 2025 ballot.

If they do, voters will have the final say on whether to approve the sales tax and launch what advocates call a “transformational investment.”

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