In Charlotte sermon, Rev. William Barber opposes sales tax for roads, transit
Civil rights leader Rev. William Barber during a Sunday sermon spoke in opposition to a 1% Mecklenburg County sales tax referendum.
Barber was a guest speaker at the First Baptist Church West in the Historic West End, as part of the church’s guest sermon series. He wore a stole that read “Jesus was a poor man” while he stood and talked about a range of religious and political topics. He spent about three minutes talking about the sales tax referendum, which will be on the November ballot.
“We’re against constantly being taxed in a way that hurts the poor and working poor while the wealthy and the greedy never pay their fair share,” said the civil rights leader. “That’s the problem.”
If the transit tax is approved, an additional 1% sales and use tax will be created for roadway and public transportation systems in addition to the current local sales and use taxes.
A resolution passed by Mecklenburg County commissioners states the tax will raise an estimated $20 billion over the next 30 years. It says 40% of the money would go towards roads projects, 20% to the region’s bus system and 40% to transit projects including rail, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
Barber said the residents impacted most by these changes will be those who ride the bus out of necessity. Even if the buses come faster, he said, the riders will have to pay more and still head to a job that pays under the living wage.
The Charlotte Area Transit Plan includes 15-minute frequency on the top 15 bus routes and 30-minute frequency on all bus routes.
Barber said the sales tax would be “taxation without representation” because a regional authority created in a bill passed by the legislature this year does not allocate a seat specifically to someone who uses public transportation.
In his sermon, Barber expressed concerns about displacement. He said a plan supporting those who may be displaced by the tax is missing.
“Ahead Together,” the document from the City of Charlotte says there will be affordable housing near transit, stores and jobs to help cut living costs.
They hope this will “ensure workers, families, and seniors can live close to jobs, schools, and essential services” and reduce displacement.
Supporters and opponents react
Leading on Opportunity Executive Director Sherri Chisholm, a sales tax referendum advocate, acknowledged the importance of Rev. Barber’s Poor Peoples’ Campaign in a statement to The Charlotte Observer. But Chisolm said it the sales tax would improve economic mobility.
“Although the transportation referendum does not solve all issues facing poor people, it does address his concerns by paving the way for expanded transit access and stronger connections to jobs, education, and healthcare, which are critical to advancing economic mobility,” Chisholm said. “The transportation tax does not fix all of the issues that need to be addressed, but it is a very strong start and one that we must support.”
First Baptist Church pastor, Rev. Ricky Woods said though affordable housing is in the plans, there is no money set aside for it as part of approved transit plans. The resolution from the Mecklenburg County Commissioners and the House Bill 948 that allowed the plan to begin both do not allocate a percentage to affordable housing.
“Where’s the money going to come from? They’re not planning for it to come from the tax,” he said.
In the past month, Woods spoke about the sales tax at the church several times.
He also held a community meeting in which Mayor Vi Lyles, Mecklenburg County Chairman Mark Jerrell, the city manager and others were in attendance.
Woods said one of his biggest issues with the plan is that 40% of the tax money is going to roads and “it is the state’s responsibility to pay for roads.”
Each city cares for its own city roads and states oversee state and federal roads, according to the Tax Foundation. Nearly 70% of state and local road use taxes cover the cost of road funding in North Carolina.
“We should not be paying twice for the same thing,” he said.
Woods shares in church why he opposes this plan because he wants the congregation to know the drawbacks.
“If the voters can't get this information on their own, they're going to have to simply accept whatever the marketing machine tells them this is,” he said. “I'm not opposed to transit, but I'm opposed to transit under these conditions.”
This story was originally published August 11, 2025 at 11:05 AM.
