Mecklenburg transit bill advances in NC House

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — A bill that could reshape how people move around Mecklenburg County is one step closer to the ballot. 

House Bill 948 — also known as the P.A.V.E. Act — passed the North Carolina House of Representatives Tuesday in a sweeping 102-6 vote, just hours after clearing the House Rules Committee.

The legislation, introduced by Rep. Tricia Cotham (R-Mecklenburg), would allow Mecklenburg County commissioners to place a one-cent sales tax referendum on this year’s ballot. If approved by voters, the new funding would be split across key transportation priorities: 40% for road improvements, 40% for light rail expansion, and 20% for bus service upgrades.

“House Bill 948 provides the framework for voters to decide if they want the opportunity to improve transportation issues in our very highly populated and dense region of Mecklenburg County,” Cotham said during debate on the House floor.

The bill also outlines the creation of an independent authority that would oversee how the funds are spent — a move lawmakers say is aimed at increasing accountability and transparency.

“It’s not perfect, but it’s a tremendous start, and we are in a very good place,” Cotham added. “This bill is extremely transformational for Mecklenburg and these towns. We are doing something unique and innovative.”

One notable point of contention remains the absence of a light rail extension to Matthews, which was included in earlier drafts of the county’s transit plans but later removed. Still, Democratic leaders say the bill represents meaningful progress.

“Those people in those towns like Matthews, who feel left out, left behind and stepped on like the red-headed stepchild in this bill, I get it, I heard you, I’ve read it,” Rep. Laura Budd, a Democrat from Mecklenburg County, said. “We, the Mecklenburg County delegation, did listen, but what we’ve come to realize is that one this is a voter referendum and it’s incredibly important that the residents of Mecklenburg County be the ones to vote on this issue. It’s an incredible honor to put it here today to give it a green vote — to get it home for voters to decide how they want to handle this.”

The legislation now heads to the North Carolina Senate. If passed, voters in Mecklenburg County could see the proposed one-cent sales tax on the ballot this November.

Contact Walker Lawson at wlawson@wcnc.com or follow him on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

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