Josh Stein
Coverage (1 article)
What Uptown Should Know About the I-77 Toll Lanes Coming Back for a Vote
The regional board that killed the I-77 South toll lanes will vote again on September 23, under a state budget that told opposing governments to revive the project or repay $64 million. Here is what Fourth Ward should know, with the full account at The Charlotte Mercury.
Other coverage in the Mercury Local network
North Carolina's Budget Gives Charlotte a Choice: Revive the I-77 Toll Lanes, or Repay $64 Million
The regional board that killed the I-77 South toll lanes in May will vote September 23 on bringing them back, under a state budget that told the governments that opposed them to reinstate the project or repay $64 million. The count starts with Charlotte, which controls more of the board's vote than any other member and hasn't said which way it will go.
The I-77 Toll Lane Fight Is Back, and Mecklenburg County's Vote Is Part of It
The I-77 toll lanes the regional board killed in May are up for a revival vote on September 23, under a state budget with a $64 million penalty attached. Mecklenburg County is one of the governments deciding. Here is the short version for south Charlotte.
Out Here, Your Town Has a Vote on the I-77 Toll Lanes
Waxhaw, Weddington, and Marvin all have a vote on whether to revive the I-77 South toll lanes, and it comes September 23. Here is what the Marvin-Waxhaw area should know, with the full account at The Charlotte Mercury.
Raleigh Wants Charlotte to Repay $60 Million for Killing the I-77 Toll Lanes
A bill in Raleigh, written by Sen. Vickie Sawyer, would require the Charlotte-area governments that voted to kill the I-77 South toll lanes in May to repay the state an estimated $60 million, freeze the decision until 2027, and withhold state highway money until it is paid. Mecklenburg commissioners, briefed June 16, called it a retaliatory power grab.
After Ten Months Without a Budget, NC Republicans Found a Framework. Most State Workers Get a Raise Below Inflation.
Senate Pres. Pro Tem Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall announced a budget framework Tuesday afternoon, ending a ten-month standoff. Teachers get an 8 percent raise and a $48,000 starting floor. Most state employees get 3 percent — below the 3.8 percent inflation rate reported the same morning. The income tax steps down through 2034, and a constitutional amendment capping the rate at 3.5 percent goes on the November ballot.
Vi Lyles Will Resign as Charlotte Mayor on June 30. The Race to Replace Her Already Started.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles announced Thursday that she will resign on June 30, ending a tenure that began in 2017. Under North Carolina law, the City Council will appoint a Democrat to serve the remainder of her term — and the field is already organizing in public, with former Mayor Jennifer Roberts offering to fill the vacancy and Council Member Dante Anderson breaking for the outsider option. The vote that decides who fills the seat has not been scheduled.
Carla Cunningham Leaves the Democratic Party.
After losing her March primary to Rev. Dr. Rodney Sadler by nearly 48 points, the seven-term Charlotte representative re-registered Unaffiliated on Friday. She has not said whether she will caucus with Republicans. Speaker Destin Hall's veto-override math doesn't need her to.
SMBC Group Commits to 2,000 Charlotte Jobs in $76 Million Incentive Deal
SMBC Group, the banking arm of one of Japan's three largest financial institutions, has committed to 2,000 jobs in Charlotte over six years in exchange for an estimated $76 million public incentive package.