Charlotte Light Rail Plans

Charlotte Light Rail Plans
Originally uploaded by Rob Goodspeed

Speaking of elections, I forgot to mention that the citizen referendum to repeal a 1/2 cent sales tax supporting light rail in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County, North Carolina was defeated!

The light rail opens up in a couple weeks. See "Tax supporters, foes surprised by margin of victory," from the Charlotte Observer. From the article:

The margin of victory stunned even transit supporters. With all but one precinct counted, 70 percent voted against repeal, with 30 percent in favor of stopping the tax. The number of people voting for repeal -- roughly 37,000 -- fell short of the 48,000 signatures collected that put the tax back on the ballot.

The decision means that the Charlotte Area Transit System will continue collecting the half-cent tax, which generated $70 million last year, and will continue with its expansive 2030 transit plan.

Sadly though, a number of the anti-transit Virginia House of Delegate members such as L. Scott Ligamfelter, were returned to the House.