List: Who’s supporting, opposing Mecklenburg’s 1% transportation tax proposal
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- Some officials and groups back the transportation tax referendum, while others oppose it.
- The 1% sales tax rate increase would fund billions in road, rail and bus projects.
- Early voting is underway, and Election Day on Nov. 4.
Charlotte-area leaders and organizations have staked out positions for or against Mecklenburg’s transportation tax referendum.
Voters will decide the fate of the referendum on this year’s ballot, which asks voters to approve or reject a 1% sales tax rate increase to fund billions in road, rail and bus projects. The plan calls for 40% of the new revenue to be divided among Charlotte and Mecklenburg’s six towns for road projects, with another 40% going to rail projects and the remaining 20% to buses.
Early voting is underway, and Election Day is Nov. 4.
Some elected officials and civic groups are encouraging voters to back the plan, saying it will relieve traffic congestion and address critical infrastructure needs. Others are calling for residents to vote “no,” saying a sales tax increase is regressive and that the plan is flawed.
Here’s a round-up of some of the most prominent supporters and opponents of the transportation referendum:
Who’s endorsing the transportation referendum?
The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance has led the multi-million dollar “yes” campaign for the referendum.
Before the issue was even officially on the ballot, the group touted support from groups including Atrium Advocate Health, Bank of America, Canopy Realtor Association, Crisis Assistance Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, Novant Health, Truist Bank and the Urban League of Central Carolinas. Charlotte’s corporate community has frequently supported past referendums.
The influential Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg endorsed the referendum, with Chair Jocelyn Jones-Nolley saying in a statement the plan is “about ensuring growth that works for everyone.”
The plan is also backed by elected officials including Gov. Josh Stein, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, U.S. Rep. Alma Adams and Mecklenburg County Commission Chairman Mark Jerrell.
- Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt
- Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox
- State legislators Joyce Wadell, Caleb Theodros, Mary Belk and Nasif Majeed
- Former Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio
- Mecklenburg County Commissioners Leigh Altman, George Dunlap and Yvette Townsend-Ingram
- Charlotte City Council members Dante Anderson, Ed Driggs, James Mitchell and Marjorie Molina
- Former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt
- Former Charlotte Mayor Pro tem Julie Eiselt
- Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx
- The Charlotte Observer Editorial Board
- Sierra Club NC
- Sustain Charlotte
- Charlotte Urbanists
- Leading on Opportunity
Who’s opposing the transportation referendum?
The progressive group Action NC and its political director Robert Dawkins have been among the most outspoken opponents.
The community group CharlotteEAST also opposes the plan. It cited the shortening of the Silver Line light rail project originally slated to run through east Charlotte and the cost of the sales tax increase to residents among other concerns.
Mecklenburg Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell was the only member of the county board to vote against putting the referendum on the ballot and previously told the Observer she would “do my best to educate people on why I won’t be voting for it in the voting booth, because I think it’s a terrible plan.” Her district includes parts of east Mecklenburg.
Other opponents include:
- Matthews Mayor John Higdon
- Charlotte City Council members Renee Johnson and LaWana Mayfield
- Charlotte City Council member-elect JD Mazuera Arias
- Former Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts
- Former Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon
- Former Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Braxton Winston
- Rev. William Barber
- The Plaza Midwood Merchants Association
- The Redress Movement
- Charlotte Housing Justice Coalition
- Libertarian Party of Mecklenburg County
Did we miss a prominent group or individual in support of or opposed to the referendum? Email information to mramsey@charlotteobserver.com
This story was originally published October 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
