MJP — Matthews, North Carolina
The officials of Matthews have spoken out against a sales tax that would be used to finance transportation projects in Mecklenburg County.
The current transportation plan is causing Mayor John Higdon of Matthews concern that his city may fall behind as other places advance. Plans to construct a light rail line to Matthews were abandoned in May, prompting this new idea.
“If we simply used buses, we would be deprived of decades’ worth of tax growth and revenue,” he stated. The only thing we’re hoping for is for our county colleagues to get together with us and find a solution that’s fair for everyone. Instead of picking winners and losers, work toward a solution that works for everyone.
Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and five of the six cities that make up the county are currently attempting to get a one-cent sales tax on transportation included on the November 2025 ballot.
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Ed Driggs chairs the transportation committee for the city of Charlotte. According to him, building the Red Line—a commuter rail that would connect Uptown and Mooresville—would be a major priority if the plan is greenlit.
According to Driggs, the Silver Line—an ambitious project that would have connected Union County, Matthews, Uptown, and Gaston County—will not be able to receive sufficient funds. That’s why the top brass in Matthews are rallying behind a resolution to scrap the idea.
The annoyance is obvious to Driggs.
They have done a lot of work around the possibility of this train line, including land-use planning and zoning permissions, he added. “They are taken aback by this. I understand. This shouldn’t have been shocking, since we’ve known for almost a year now that the legislature would not approve such a large rail investment.
However, according to Driggs, action is required to resolve the issue.
The difficulties with mobility and traffic congestion are something “everyone’s experienced,” he added. Their effects on our country’s economic growth are significant. Social fairness is affected by these. Consequently, we must not let things deteriorate in the Charlotte region.
In Matthews, a rapid bus transit system is currently being planned.
The deal’s rawness is hitting us, Higdon remarked. We would have bus rapid transit, which isn’t available in North America, while the rest of the county that wants it will receive light rail. It has never been executed properly, and I have my doubts that it will be here as well.
The passing of this sales tax is contingent upon its approval by the state legislature. Afterward, it would be put to the vote by the people.
Officials in Charlotte don’t anticipate receiving the funds until the summer of 2026.
