Letters: Toll lanes on south I-77 would be unfair to SC residents like me

I-77 tolls

A July 26 article says toll lanes are now being considered for Interstate 77 in south Charlotte. Why is it that toll lanes on Interstate 85 never seem to come up? I commuted to my job in Charlotte for about 15 years. Placing tolls on I-77 from south Charlotte to South Carolina would basically be a tax on S.C. commuters without representation, which is unfair.

Robert E. Lordo, Fort Mill

The NC divide

While we should certainly celebrate North Carolina’s recent top national ranking from CNBC for being business-friendly, we should not forget that economic growth is not always evenly spread across the state.

A native of western North Carolina, I recently relocated to Virginia for work. While driving across N.C. on a trip, I realized how much of the state is rural or small town. Economically, there is a lot of poverty outside of the Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte areas. And, as our last census showed, not as much growth.

Our political divide has much to do with disparate economic fortunes, so we should make sure everyone has access to the same tools — sound education, internet access and job options. Every North Carolinian deserves as much.

Aaron Kohrs, Alexandria, Va.

Right the ship, GOP

Regarding “What to know about NC’s death penalty abortion bill” (July 23 Opinion):

As a lifelong Republican until 2016 and staunchly pro-life, I was appalled to learn that a bill like House Bill 158 ever existed in North Carolina’s Republican-led legislature. Reading that it had four co-sponsors further adds to my reckoning and mistrust with the party.

I am sure there are worthy Republican candidates running in 2022. However, my continuing disappointment with state and federal Republican leaders and legislators will certainly impact my vote. I have committed that I will not vote for any Republican candidate for state or federal office in the 2022 mid-term election.

My hope beyond 2022 is that the Republican Party will right the ship and return to the party I identified with prior to 2016.

Doug Bennett, Charlotte

Biden, wind energy

President Biden recently announced modest steps his administration will take to combat climate issues, including to promote offshore wind energy. He seems to ignore problems that Texas has recently with unreliable wind energy.

Earlier this month amid a brutal heat wave Texans were told to turn up their thermostats to avoid rolling blackouts. Wind power sometimes falters during heat waves. In Texas, wind accounts for about 30% of the power supply and it cannot provide power when it doesn’t blow. Let’s hope North Carolina doesn’t become another state to rely on unreliable wind energy for our electricity.

Bruce Jacik, Charlotte

Alma Adams

Almost half a page on July 21 was used to recount U.S. Rep. Alma Adams’ arrest at a protest. She said, “Sometimes you have to get in the way. This was good trouble, if you will.” Is this really the example we want our elected officials to be to our youth — that it’s OK to break the law?

Ken Hocutt, Cornelius

Religious freedom

In overturning Roe v. Wade the Supreme Court made a religious belief the law of the land. This violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment. It violates the beliefs of other religions, as well as nonbelievers. One of the most precious differences in our country was that we did not have a national, preferred religion. All religions and non-believers were equal. Religious freedom must be for all of us.

David A. Nachamie, Lincolnton

Floods, rising rates

Regarding the July 23 article about FEMA flood insurance hikes... So through updating FEMA flood insurance prices to more accurately reflect the risk analysis, costs rise and many will forgo the insurance. As catastrophes increase without the “protection” of insurance, will this help more of us to wake up to the reality of climate change? When the reality of climate change hits us in our wallets maybe then we’ll be forced to take action.

Debbie George, Charlotte