This would be used for take-home cars, upgraded body cameras and police radios. If successful, these would be added as earmarks into other federal bills.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte City Council members are pushing for millions of dollars in federal support after a recent trip to Washington, D.C.
Several council members traveled to the nation’s capital for a National League of Cities conference to lobby lawmakers. They focused the majority of their asks on public safety, mobility and housing as the city continues to grow.
“So much of Charlotte and the needs of a big city are non‑partisan,” Councilmember Kimberly Owens said. “The lobbying that your local electeds are doing on your behalf, I mean, that’s where the real action takes place.”
Councilman JD Mazuera Arias emphasized the trip came with added urgency as North Carolina remains the only state without a finalized state budget. Local and state leaders have said this prevents law enforcement from receiving needed raises and resources.
“We’ve been in national headlines in the past few months,” Mazuera Arias said. “A lot of it is because we don’t have the necessary support from our state legislature our funding levels to really provide the wraparound services and public safety that our community needs,”
Councilmembers requested more than $10 million for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department support, including take-home cars, body cameras and police radios. They also requested $3.7 million to establish a permanent Northeast Division station.
If successful, these would be added as earmarks into other federal bills.
“You’re not just asking to ask. You’ve got a targeted ask, and this is actually going to get things done,” Owens said.
Housing and workforce initiatives are also a major focus. Other asks include but are not limited to:
- $1.2 million for Corridors of Opportunity hubs
- $1.5 million towards Faith in Housing, which enables faith-based organizations to develop affordable housing
- $1.3 million for CFD Fire Apparatus to cover increased costs to “maintain adequate emergency response times”
- $2.2 million for Old Point Comfort Townhomes
Owens is also pushing for Congress to pass the 21st Century Road to Housing bill, aimed at expanding housing supply and lowering costs.
Both councilmembers said they are optimistic about the response from federal lawmakers and working with Congress to find common ground.
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