Mecklenburg transit tax: bettering lives or increasing the cost of living? | Opinion
I believe the best path forward is a resounding “Yes” to the Mecklenburg transit referendum! As an educator, I coach and support mostly first-generation college students from low-income communities. I have observed the burden that navigating the Charlotte region has on our most vulnerable.
As our city has grown, my students have moved to the edges of the region where housing is more affordable. They need a reliable car to get to their jobs, but they also need a well-paying job to afford car costs. Hundreds of dollars of their paychecks go toward car payments, loan interest, insurance, maintenance and fuel, with little left to save.
My students and I believe a strong commitment to transit that prioritizes multiple mobility options is essential to improving their access to jobs, grocery stores, medical appointments and more. Passing this referendum is essential to making this a place where everyone, and not just our most resourced, has what they need to flourish.
Will Darden, Charlotte
No confidence
My wife, a friend and I recently rode Charlotte’s light rail. We tried to play by the rules, but neither fare machine worked properly. The interface was extremely confusing. Neither would accept cash or my credit card. However, our account indicated our card was charged, despite receiving no tickets.
The county has been receiving a half-cent sales tax to pay for transit on top of the money earned by fares. Why can’t CATS maintain its facilities? I want my city to have efficient and affordable mass transit, but I have no confidence that adding to our high tax burden will support that goal.
Steven P. Nesbit, Charlotte
Torn down
Since 1827, the White House has had the title of “People’s House.” The occupants are guests. This national symbol is being torn down, literally, by rich billionaires and companies who agreed to, as Donald Trump said, donate tremendous amounts of money.
While government workers are standing in line to get food because they are not getting a paycheck and are worried about not paying their rent and mortgage payments, a $200 million opulent ballroom is being constructed for an unethical president. No one is stopping him. Where is our Congress?
Mary Gaertner, Charlotte
Power grab
The new NC congressional map guarantees a Republican win in 2026, 13 months before Election Day. This map erases a Black member of Congress. A smattering of short public comments were allowed during committee meetings. Some 12,000 comments were posted online, the overwhelming majority of which didn’t support this power grab.
When asked why the committee did not offer in-person hearings across the state, Sen. Ralph Hise alluded to past hearings where most comments were negative. No surprise, his caucus has no use for people’s opinions. A solid purple state, his party has gerrymandered their way from a 7-7 split to 10-4 today. After this pillaging, the split be 11-3. So much for the people!
Harry Taylor, Charlotte
Better care
We must strengthen how our health system detects and treats Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Over 7 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s today — a number expected to nearly double by 2060. Primary care providers diagnose 85% of cases, yet many lack the training and confidence to do so accurately. This leads to delayed diagnoses and unnecessary crises for families.
The bipartisan Accelerating Access to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT) Act (H.R. 3747) would expand access to virtual dementia training for primary care providers, improving early detection and care especially in rural areas.
As the great-grandchild and grandchild of women lost to this disease, I want my mother, and every North Carolinian, to have access to providers equipped to diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s. Please support the AADAPT Act to ensure families receive timely, high-quality dementia care.
Jake Sellers, Charlotte