HB148- Congestion Relief/Intermodal Transport Fund
Lawmakers gave final approval late Monday, August 10, 2009, to legislation that would allow Triangle and Triad counties to raise the sales tax to pay for light rail and more buses. The House voted 73 to 40 to let Wake, Orange, Durham, Guilford and Forsyth counties boost the sales tax by 1/2 percentage point, if voters approve. The legislation would also allow every other county, except Mecklenburg, to vote on a 1/4-cent transit tax increase. Mecklenburg already has a 1/2-cent transit tax added to its sales tax rate. The bill also authorizes transit authorities to increase car registration fees by up to $7 per vehicle to $10.
