Will recent fatal light rail stabbing impact Mecklenburg’s transit tax vote?

(QUEEN CITY NEWS) — As Mecklenburg County gears up for a vote on a proposed one-percent sales tax increase, some residents are wondering if safety concerns, like the recent deadly stabbing on Charlotte’s light rail, might influence the outcome.

The tax proposal, which will appear on the November 4 ballot, is expected to raise about $19 million each year over the next 30 years.

The money would go toward transportation projects across the region.

To help voters make an informed decision, County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell is hosting two community meetings called, “The Whole Story on the Transit Tax.”

These sessions are open to everyone, whether you support the tax, oppose it, or just have questions. CATS officials will explain how the additional funding would be used.

The first meeting will be held on Thursday evening at Christ the King Church on S. Tryon Street. The second meeting will be held on Oct. 9 at Matthews Town Hall on Matthews Station St.

The meetings will also include a panel featuring community voices from all sides of the debate. City leaders, including Council Members Marjorie Molina and Ed Driggs, have already held similar info sessions to encourage public discussion.

As the November vote approaches, public safety, transportation needs, and how tax dollars are spent will all be key parts of the conversation.