Gov. Josh Stein signs transit bill into law

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed the PAVE Act into law Tuesday morning.

According to the legislation, this new bill will allow Mecklenburg County to propose a sales tax increase for transit.

The PAVE Act, which has been the subject of heated debate, would enable Mecklenburg County to ask voters to approve a penny sales tax increase. The revenue from this tax is projected to generate billions of dollars for improvements in rail, roads, and buses, aiming to alleviate traffic congestion in the area.

Some of the proposed improvements and additions under the bill include a Red Line to Iredell County, light rail from the airport to east Charlotte and millions in road funding each year.

All of this is now one step closer to reality after Stein signed the bill that will allow Mecklenburg County to decide its transit future.

Mayor Vi Lyles, City Manager Marcus Jones and a few business leaders drove up from Charlotte to be inside the Executive Mansion as Governor Josh Stein officially signed the bill.

Lyles thanked Rep. Tricia Cotham for “moving mountains” and says she has no idea how she did it. Cotham said this has been a historic day for the region.

“This is good thoughtful policy, bipartisan work at its best,” she said. “It’s just so exciting to be here.”

Senator Mujtaba Mohammed emphasized the importance of addressing traffic congestion and infrastructure needs in Mecklenburg County.

“We are experiencing longer commutes, more car accidents, higher car insurance premiums, more pedestrian accidents and less revenue to address our crumbling critical infrastructure,” he said.

The next step is for the Mecklenburg County commissioners to officially vote to place this referendum on the ballot. Chairman Mark Jerrell said he expects that to happen at their first meeting in August.

The bill will be presented to voters in Mecklenburg County in November. Ultimately, it will be up to the people to decide whether the tax increase will be implemented.

Channel 9’s Joe Bruno was in Raleigh for the signing of the PAVE Act and will provide continuing coverage this evening on Eyewitness News at 5 p.m.

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