Right now the draft state budget includes a provision that would make it impossible for any light rail projects to move forward in NC, by requiring that federal funding for a project be in place before a project can apply for state funds. One of the key requirements in applying and being approved for federal funding is that local and state funds have already been committed to a project, which makes this provision a deal-breaker for light rail projects statewide.

As an organization that supports public transit expansion, Sustain Charlotte asks you to contact your Charlotte-area legislators and ask them to change this provision.

Please take a moment to reach out to the legislators below with an email, phone call or Twitter tag! Share with them how light rail has benefited Charlotte and you, and why this provision needs to be changed.

Here are a few talking points:

• The provision undercuts the data driven STI process – it puts politics back front and center.
• NC will lose at least $1.2 billion in federal transportation funding for North Carolina.
• The provision should be fixed (through a technical correction) to allow the light rail to be programmed, with the condition that state money won’t be SPENT until federal money is in place.

John Bradford: [email protected]; 919-733-5828; @JohnRayBradford

Bill Brawley: [email protected]; (919) 733-5800; @BillBrawley

Andy Dulin: [email protected]; 919-715-3009; @adulin

Dan Bishop: [email protected]; (919) 733-5655; @jdanbishop

Jeff Tarte: [email protected]; (919) 715-3050; @JeffTarteNC

Thank you for speaking up to protect light rail in North Carolina!