As voters in the Charlotte area decide whether to keep or repeal their special sales tax for transit services, the John Locke Foundation sponsored a debate on the topic this morning.
The entire program lasted about 2 1/2 hours.
For those who lack the time to watch the entire presentation, you can see highlights at the following links.
- Sam Staley of the Reason Foundation says the Charlotte area should focus its attention on roads to reduce the region’s growing congestion problem.
- Jeff Taylor of the Meck Deck blog says a vote to repeal the transit tax would give Mecklenburg County the opportunity to rewrite a flawed transportation plan.
- Pat Mumford of the Vote Against Repeal Committee says the region needs the revenue from the special tax to prepare for growth.
- Todd Litman of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute says the region will see economic benefits from its focus on mass transit.
- Mumford and Taylor answer moderator Pete Kaliner’s question about the history of bad cost estimates for Charlotte’s light rail system.
