Stein to sign PAVE Act, allowing Mecklenburg sales tax referendum

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Gov. Josh Stein is set to sign the PAVE Act — a bill that would allow Mecklenburg County to place a one-cent sales tax for transit projects on this November’s ballot — into law on Tuesday, according to his office. 

With Stein set to sign the bill, it clears a significant hurdle to funding Charlotte’s ambitious transit plan that includes rail service to Iredell County and expanded bus service into Matthews. The bill would also create a 27-member transit authority with the power to introduce a referendum on the ballot as soon as November. State leaders in Buncombe and Forsyth counties also expressed interest in similar legislation for their areas, should Mecklenburg County’s tax pass. 

Introduced by Rep. Tricia Cotham, the “PAVE Act” will allow voters in Mecklenburg County to decide on a one-cent sales tax increase to fund future transit projects, including the Red Line rail to Lake Norman. The tax revenue would be split by having 40% going towards road projects for towns and cities across Mecklenburg County. The other 60% would create an independent transit authority.

Robert McCutcheon, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, said the House bill’s advancement represents significant progress for the community.

“It’s absolutely critical for our area. 117 people a day move to the area. We expect the population to grow 50% by 2050. With that growth and keeping it, we need investment in infrastructure,” McCutcheon said.

McCutcheon added that the investment would create economic opportunities, with almost $20 billion in spending over the next 30 years generating economic growth and jobs in construction and system implementation.

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