ANC NEWS - Action NC

At The Table With Patrick Cannon April 18 2026

Craig Reynolds — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:22:04 +0000

At The Table with Patrick Cannon - I77 Toll Discussion

The post At The Table With Patrick Cannon April 18 2026 first appeared on Action NC.

Immediate Press Release: I-77 Toll Expansion

Craig Reynolds — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 20:45:03 +0000

Action NC Calls for Transparency and Public Accountability in the I‑77 Toll Lane Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Action NC Calls for Transparency and Public Accountability in the I‑77 Toll Lane Project

Charlotte, NC — [3/26/2026] — Action NC is calling for immediate transparency from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) regarding the proposed I‑77 Toll Lane expansion, citing months of withheld information, canceled meetings, and a lack of meaningful public engagement.

Community Concerns Mount as Information Remains Withheld

Residents, community leaders, and elected officials have repeatedly raised alarms about the absence of clear, accessible information on a project that will reshape entire neighborhoods. Recent reporting shows that NCDOT canceled a scheduled tour of impacted areas and has declined multiple invitations to present before community bodies — actions that local leaders say have contributed to an erosion of public trust.

A recent county analysis found that the project could affect 11 parks, four greenway corridors, multiple streams and wetlands, and expose nearby residents to increased traffic pollution. These impacts pose direct threats to community stability, public health, and generational wealth.

Repeated Requests for Information Have Gone Unanswered

Local officials have asked NCDOT to provide clear information on:

Community impacts
Environmental consequences
Alternatives to toll lanes

These requests remain unanswered. Mecklenburg County Commissioner Leigh Altman has stated that she has “continuously invited NCDOT to present” on these issues, with no response.

Action NC has experienced the same pattern. Over the past three weeks, the organization invited NCDOT to participate in three public‑facing engagements:

A structured interview on At the Table with Patrick Cannon Radio Show.
A presentation and Q&A at theTuesday Morning Breakfast Forum
A community panel hosted by the Barringer Drive Initiative

To date, NCDOT has not agreed to any of these opportunities for transparent dialogue.

Action NC’s Role: Educating, Elevating, and Empowering

Action NC emphasizes that it does not claim to speak for the communities most directly impacted. Instead, the organization sees its role as helping the public understand the stakes of the project. We do see educating the public at large on the ‘toll’ that these proposed toll lanes can do to neighborhoods as something we can contribute to.

The organization believes:

The public deserves clear, honest information — not selective disclosures.
Elected leaders must be vocal and accountable in defending their constituents.
Residents must be empowered to ask informed questions during this short window for public input.
Speaking truth to power is a democratic obligation.

Action NC Calls for Immediate Transparency

Action NC urges NCDOT and CRTPO to take the following steps without delay:

Release all preliminary and alternative design options for public review.
Attend and participate in open community forums, including those already requested by Action NC.
Provide clear, accessible explanations of environmental, displacement, and financial impacts.
Commit to a transparent decision‑making process that centers the voices of those most affected.

The public cannot meaningfully participate in a process where critical information is withheld, meetings are canceled, and community concerns are minimized

Next Steps

Action NC will continue working with community advocates like Will Russell, who has volunteered to prepare a three‑part analysis on the history of interstate construction, the viability of the I‑77 project, and potential solutions.

The organization remains committed to educating, organizing, and elevating the voices of residents who deserve to be heard — not talked at.

About Action NC

Action NC is a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing equity, expanding democratic participation, and empowering communities across North Carolina through education, advocacy, and organizing.

Media Contact

Robert Dawkins

Action NC

Phone: (704) 957-3105

Email: robert@actionnc.org

Website: https://actionnc.org/say-no-to-i77-tolls/

The post Immediate Press Release: I-77 Toll Expansion first appeared on Action NC.

Say No to I-77 Tolls!

Craig Reynolds — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 12:31:45 +0000

SAY NO TO I-77 TOLLS!

Email NC DOT Civil Rights Director Tunya Smith at tmsmith9@ncdot.gov and say:
“I don’t want a toll road through my community. the NCDOT need to another solution that doesn’t involve negative impacts on historically black neighborhoods”
Share this message with 5 people who live or travel near I77
Talk to your neighbors — real conversations matter

Five minutes of action today can save years of regret later.

The post Say No to I-77 Tolls! first appeared on Action NC.

Yaz Humaideh and Plaza Midwood Merchants Association Say No

Craig Reynolds — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 09:21:06 +0000

Small Business, Big Voice: Sip City Owner Yaz Humaideh and Plaza Midwood Merchants Say No to the Sales Tax Hike

Plaza Midwood is more than a neighborhood. It’s a heartbeat. It’s where the art is loud, the culture is proud, and the small businesses make Charlotte feel like home. And when those businesses speak up, it’s worth listening.

This week, Yaz Humaideh, owner of Sip City and a pillar of Charlotte’s independent business community, took to Instagram to explain why he, along with the Plaza Midwood Merchants Association, is educating residents why the upcoming transportation sales tax referendum needs real transparency, accountability, and support to small business impacted by its effects.

https://actionnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/sip-city-clt-business-owner-1.mp4

A Tax That Hurts the Very Soul of the City

Yaz doesn’t mince words. As a small business owner and active voice in the local economy, he knows exactly who bears the brunt of a regressive sales tax: working families, hourly workers, and the neighborhood shops trying to keep their doors open after inflation, COVID, and skyrocketing commercial rents.

This referendum, which would increase Charlotte’s total sales tax rate by 14%, lands squarely on the shoulders of people who already pay more than their fair share. Yaz calls it out for what it is: a billion-dollar tax hike with no binding guarantees, no community oversight, and no clear plan for how it will improve the lives of those it claims to serve.

Merchants United for Transparency, Accountability, and Equity

The Plaza Midwood Merchants Association stands in solidarity with Yaz. They’ve joined the growing #NO’alition, a citywide network of residents, workers, educators, and business owners who reject backroom deals and blank-check promises.

Like many in East Charlotte, they’ve seen the city approve bonds, taxes, and “strategic visions” that often leave out the neighborhoods doing the real work to keep Charlotte vibrant. They’re not opposed to investment, they’re opposed to misdirection.

"Charlotte and Plaza Midwood needs a transparent, accountable transit plan - one that strengthens neighborhoods, protects small businesses, and invests in our city’s real needs like safety, infrastructure, and connectivity.” — Plaza Midwood Merchants Association

Why It Matters

When small business owners like Yaz take a stand, they’re doing more than protecting their bottom line. They’re protecting the soul of Charlotte. They’re advocating for transparency, asking for real commitments, and demanding a seat at the table, not just a bill at the end of the meal.

This isn't just about buses or rail lines. It’s about whether we continue letting vague promises pass as policy, or if we draw the line and demand more.

Join Yaz. Join Plaza Midwood. Join the #NO’alition.

Vote AGAINST on the transportation tax hike.

The post Yaz Humaideh and Plaza Midwood Merchants Association Say No first appeared on Action NC.

Why We’re Voting AGAINST the Transit Sales Tax: Voices from North Meck

Craig Reynolds — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:07:53 +0000

North Meck Has Gotten a Raw Deal for Decades

For years, residents across Mecklenburg County, especially in North Meck, have been told to wait their turn for real transit options. But with the proposed 1% sales tax increase on the ballot this year, many longtime community members are drawing a firm line.

Among them is John Aneralla, former Mayor of Huntersville (2015–2021) and a 28-year resident who’s seen firsthand how promises get made… and broken. Former Mayor Aneralla wrote an op-ed recently that clearly outlines why everyone must be an AGAINST vote on this referendum.

Let’s be clear: this tax hike is not a transit plan, it’s a blank check. One that will cost working families hundreds of dollars every year with no guarantee of service, infrastructure, or accountability in return.

Who Pays? You Do.

Under this proposal:

A median-income family of four will pay nearly $1,000 more per year.
Low-income residents already relying on food assistance will pay about $132 per person annually.
70% of the tax burden will fall on Mecklenburg residents, not visitors.

Meanwhile, if you live in North Meck, you’re being asked to foot the bill for a diesel Red Line that might never be built and even if it is, would only operate a couple of times during rush hour.

But What About the Red Line?

Let’s talk about the Red Line fantasy.

There is no funding commitment from the state or federal government.
There is no sunset provision, so the tax continues indefinitely.
There are no specific projects guaranteed, only vague promises.

In fact, bus rapid transit using existing toll lanes is already faster, more flexible, and cheaper but it’s not flashy enough for the politicians who want ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

More Density, Less Voice

Proponents say this is about economic opportunity. But who gets that opportunity?

What’s really coming is high-density development, not equitable infrastructure. North Meck is already seeing rezonings and apartment expansions based solely on the idea of future train stations. Locals are being priced out and crowded out, not invited in.

And under the new governance model? Your town’s voice on transportation planning shrinks from 1 of 9 votes to 1 of 27. That’s not equity, that’s erasure. Moreover, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance gets 2 appointments, twice that of any one town.

Roads? Sorry, Not Included.

You might think this tax helps traffic, but most of the roads you use daily are state-owned and ineligible for these funds.

In fact, the towns have to maintain or increase their existing road budgets just to keep up, while the sales tax sits unused, building up in fund balances instead of being spent on your commute.

The post Why We’re Voting AGAINST the Transit Sales Tax: Voices from North Meck first appeared on Action NC.

The NO’alition

Craig Reynolds — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 20:39:00 +0000

WE ARE THE NO'ALITION

We are the NO’alition – Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Libertarians, business owners, students, retirees, bus riders, and neighborhood leaders.

What unites us? The belief that Mecklenburg County deserves transparent, equitable, and accountable transportation plans.

This sales tax isn't it. It shifts billions without meaningful public oversight. It accelerates gentrification while ignoring community voice.

The more you know, the more you’re NO.

Join us and stand up for a better way forward.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

DIVERSE. INFORMED. VOTING NO!

Diverse No'ALITION

Opposition from the towns

Diverse No'ALITION

The post The NO’alition first appeared on Action NC.

East Charlotte’s History of Failed Promises

Craig Reynolds — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:14:57 +0000

Broken Promises, Bus Lanes & Budget Cuts: Why East Charlotte Should Think Twice About the Transportation Tax

In Mecklenburg County, voters are once again being asked to "trust the process." But if you live in East Charlotte, history tells a different story, one filled with delays, cuts, and costly promises that rarely deliver for our communities. Before you vote on the proposed transportation sales tax, let’s revisit what’s already happened when the City of Charlotte made big infrastructure promises.

2014: The Bond That Never Delivered

It started over a decade ago, when voters approved a $20 million bond under the Comprehensive Neighborhood Improvement Program (CNIP). Residents near Central Avenue, Kilborne Drive, and Norland Road were promised pedestrian improvements, bike lanes, and revitalized green spaces like Potter Place. After robust community engagement in 2017, construction was supposed to follow.

But in 2025?

Protected bike lanes were scrapped.
Potter Place still isn’t built.
The City now claims it’s “over budget.”

We were sold a vision. What we got was a trimmed-down path and a draft plan collecting dust.

Central Avenue Bus Lane Pilot: A Balanced Approach Scrapped by The City

From 2020 to 2021, CATS ran a pilot program turning one lane of Central Avenue into a dedicated bus/bike lane. The result?

A 30-second increase in car travel time during rush hour.
A 2-minute gain for bus riders.
And so much pushback from drivers that the pilot ended after just six months.

This was supposed to be a data-driven experiment to “balance needs.” Instead, it polarized the community and left us with more questions than answers.

The Silver Line Sellout

In 2016, city leaders promised East Charlotte would be a cornerstone of the Silver Line light rail extension. Planning documents, studies, and millions in contracts backed this claim. But in 2025, the plan was cut, again.

Now the Silver Line skips key parts of East Charlotte. The same leaders pushing the transit tax today voted to gut our portion of the rail line.

And as if salt needed rubbing in the wound: former councilwoman Marjorie Molina, who lost during the primary election in her district, is now angling for a seat on the Transit Authority Board of Trustees, the very body that will control the purse strings of this sales tax if it passes.

So What’s Different This Time?

The 2025 transit referendum promises everything from faster buses to less congestion to rail expansions. But let’s be honest:

The Gold Line is unfinished.
The Silver Line got chopped.
Bike and pedestrian upgrades are scaled back.

This isn't about being anti-transit. It's about being pro-accountability.

Until East Charlotte sees follow-through on past promises, why should we sign off on a 14% sales tax rate hike, especially one that hits working families hardest?

The post East Charlotte’s History of Failed Promises first appeared on Action NC.

CharlotteEAST Opposes The Transportation Tax

Craig Reynolds — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:19:11 +0000

Why CharlotteEAST Says NO to the Sales Tax Hike

Charlotte is a city on the move, but not everyone is moving forward.

As we approach the November 2025 election, voters are being asked to approve a new 1% sales tax increase intended to fund transportation and transit-related projects. At first glance, the promise of “improved mobility” may sound appealing. But for CharlotteEAST, this proposal falls far short of being equitable, transparent, or fiscally responsible.

Let’s break down why they're AGAINST the referendum, and why this decision is rooted in both community values and lived economic reality.

1. The Promise Doesn’t Match the Price

Proponents of the sales tax hike argue that “something is better than nothing.” But when that “something” is a $20/month hit to household budgets, especially for the one-third of residents in our area who rely on food assistance, “nothing” starts to sound like a better deal than a bad one.

This tax would disproportionately impact working-class families, renters, and seniors, asking them to foot the bill for projects with no firm timeline, no binding commitments, and no mechanism for public accountability.

We’ve seen this story before. Grand promises of transit expansion and revitalization, with little to show for it. Why should we trust a plan that offers no specifics and no guarantees?

2. History Repeats Itself And CharlotteEAST Remembers

CharlotteEAST has always championed inclusive growth and regional equity. But too often, the eastern corridor is told to wait at the back of the funding line. Past referenda have come and gone, yet sidewalks, bike lanes, transit connections, and safe crossings remain inadequate or missing entirely from East Charlotte neighborhoods.

This tax package, as proposed, lacks the safeguards needed to ensure historically disinvested areas like the East Side see real, measurable benefits.

Without enforceable equity provisions or transparency tools, this becomes just another regressive tax that benefits the few at the expense of the many.

3. Regressive Taxation Hurts the People Who Can Afford It Least

Sales taxes are not progressive, they don’t scale based on income. A cashier and a CEO both pay the same rate when they buy diapers, many groceries, or a bus pass. But one of those individuals feels that cost burden a whole lot more.

This proposal would generate billions in new tax revenue, indefinitely, without requiring the wealthy or large corporations to contribute more. Meanwhile, families in East Charlotte, many of whom are already squeezed by rising rents, utility bills, and stagnant wages, are told to just “trust the process.”

CharlotteEAST doesn’t buy it.

Vote Early or on Election Day

Vote Early: Now through November 1
Vote on Election Day: Tuesday, November 4

“We would be ignoring history if we believed that most of these improvements will materialize… We cannot support this transit tax, nor do we accept the argument that ‘something is better than nothing’ when that ‘something’ will cost our neighbors… an average of $20 per month indefinitely for an inequitable return on investment.”

The post CharlotteEAST Opposes The Transportation Tax first appeared on Action NC.

NOs To The Polls Event

Craig Reynolds — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:02:49 +0000

“NOs to the Polls”: A West End Rally Against the Transit Sales Tax

Date: Saturday, October 26
Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Historic West End
2485 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC
(Across from the Allegra Westbrooks Library)

Charlotte residents are taking a stand. On October 26, join neighbors, leaders, and grassroots organizers in the heart of the Historic West End for “NOs to the Polls”... a community-powered rally where voices will rise in unified opposition to the billion-dollar sales tax referendum on the November ballot.

Why We’re Voting AGAINST

While transit improvements sound good in theory, the proposed sales tax hike will hit working families, seniors, and renters the hardest. It’s a regressive tax with no guarantee of delivering the promises politicians are peddling; no clear plan, no written accountability, and no assurance that Black and Brown communities will benefit from any of the dollars collected.

We’ve heard the pitch before. We’ve paid the price before.

This time, we say NO.

What to Expect at the Rally

Music & DJ
Powerful speakers from the #NO’alition
Opportunities to connect, organize, and learn how to vote early

This rally is not about being anti-transit. It’s about being pro-accountability, pro-transparency, and pro-people.

Charlotte deserves a better plan, not just a bigger bill.

FAQs

Q: Where do I park?
A: Free parking is available in the lots across from the Allegra Westbrooks Library, as well as surrounding neighborhood parking. We do not recommend parking in private business lots to avoid cars being towed.

Q: Do I need to register?
A: Nope! Just show up as you are, ready to connect and stand with community. Bring friends, bring your kids, and bring energy.

Q: Is this a partisan event?
A: No. This is a community-led, multi-partisan gathering focused on opposing this specific referendum and educating the public about its real impact. We have Democrats, Republicans, Unaffiliated, Libertarians, and everywhere in-between.

Q: Can I vote at the event?
A: No, but we will give you information on how and where to vote early and where your voting location is to vote on Election Day.

Q: Who’s behind the #NO’alition?
A: The #NO’alition is made up of grassroots groups like Action NC, community elders, civic leaders, housing advocates, and educators who know this tax isn’t what our city needs.

Q: Can I bring my kids?
A: Absolutely! This is a family-friendly event, and children are welcome.

Join the NO’alition. Demand Accountability.

This rally isn’t just about one vote, it’s about reshaping who gets to decide how Charlotte grows. This is local democracy in action. Come as you are. Leave knowing you’re not alone.

Early voting is open now through November 1.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 4.

#NOToTheTax #NOToTheReferendum #CharlotteVotesNO #NOsToThePolls #LocalPower #MecklenbUrgNotMecklenbErg

The post NOs To The Polls Event first appeared on Action NC.

Hundreds participate in Fayetteville’s No Kings rally.

stacy — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:11:15 +0000

Carrol Olinger, center, yells chants with the crowd during a No Kings rally in downtown

Fayetteville on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Andrew Craft, The Fayetteville Observer

The post Hundreds participate in Fayetteville’s No Kings rally. first appeared on Action NC.