Inside $3M sales tax campaign already enlisting Charlotte’s big businesses (Charlotte Observer)
Mecklenburg County will be blitzed until early November with a flurry of campaign messages as community factions try to persuade voters for or against a proposal to overhaul the region’s transportation system through a tax hike. County commissioners voted 8-1 Wednesday night to put a referendum on the November ballot asking voters to approve or reject a one-cent sales tax increase. The billions generated from the tax increase would fund road, bus and rail projects, including the long-awaited Red Line commuter rail.
Community organizations will play their own role in the pro-referendum coalition. Sustain Charlotte, the environmentally focused nonprofit aimed at “advocating for smart land use and transportation solutions,” has also been a vocal supporter.
Eric Zaverl, an urban design specialist with the group, said the plan isn’t perfect, but it represents what’s possible given “the political realities that we face here in North Carolina.”
“We, unfortunately, cannot wait for the perfect situation to come along, because Charlotte can’t put the pause on growth,” he said. Zaverl said Sustain Charlotte sees its role in the pro-referendum campaign as educating the public about what’s under consideration and “trying to get the word out and build a coalition” by connecting with other community groups.
“We want to focus on everyday people’s lives,” Zaverl said.