Sustain Charlotte Statement on NC House Passage of Mecklenburg County Transportation Bill

We are thrilled to celebrate a major victory for sustainable and equitable transportation in Mecklenburg County! The NC House’s overwhelming 102-6 vote to pass the local option sales tax bill brings us one big step closer to giving residents the opportunity to invest in a more connected, accessible, and thriving future.

“This is a historic moment for Mecklenburg County,” said Shannon Binns, Executive Director of Sustain Charlotte. “After more than five years of tireless advocacy, negotiation, and collaboration, we are finally within reach of allowing our community to vote on the kind of transportation system we need and deserve. We are deeply grateful to Rep. Tricia Cotham for her leadership, to the members of our local delegation, and to the full House for supporting this critical legislation.”

Sustain Charlotte has proudly championed this effort for years by working hand-in-hand with local and state leaders, community partners, and advocates to push for smart, sustainable transportation investments. We’ve hosted public education events, mobilized grassroots support, and ensured the voices of residents were heard loud and clear.

As with any major policy effort, this legislation is a compromise. It limits the share of funds that can be used for rail transit to 40%, instead of the 80% needed to fully fund our previous rail plan. As a result, the Silver Line cannot currently be built all the way through East Charlotte and into Matthews using this funding source alone. We will continue to advocate for additional resources to extend the Silver Line and ensure that more communities—especially those historically underserved—can benefit from rail in addition to the major bus and road improvements the sales tax would fund.

As these transit investments move forward, it is critical that local governments across the county also commit to taking the steps needed to ensure that residents and small businesses are not displaced, and that they can continue living and thriving in their communities, now with the added benefit of better transportation options.

We’re energized by this progress and look forward to working with the Senate to take the next step in empowering Mecklenburg County voters with the chance to decide our transportation future.

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