Former state Rep. John Rhodes points us back to an attempt from 2005 to figure out why so many big corporations were giving money to Black’s PAC and want they wanted in return in the way of state legislative action.
In sum, some folks have been trying to follow the Jim Black money trail for a very, very long time. There are still big questions outstanding about that money.
The only thing I can add is that Wachovia during the time frame in question — mid 2004 — was still searching for a dedicated funding source to help build the Uptown arts projects. Eventually, with Jim Black’s help, Charlotte won the authority to hike the car rental tax as part of the great taxpayer switch-a-roo which gave CATS another dedicated transit tax in exchange for the city helping to fund the $160 million Wachovia Arts Tower with General Fund money CATS previously received.
