Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority CEO Tim Newman today declined a request for an interview and issued the following statement on the CRVA’s $5,000 donation to the Vote Against Repeal campaign:
At the request of the Charlotte Chamber, CRVA made a $5,000 contribution to the Vote Against Repeal effort based on advice we received that this contribution was legal as destination promotion and transportation projects are both allowed under our charter from the state. The Vote For Repeal committee has protested this contribution and
the Chamber is returning the contribution to us as state law is actually unclear on this per the City Attorney. All concerned believe the return of the contribution is the best thing to do. If you are asked about this please direct all inquiries to me and I will forward to the City Attorney.
In other words, contributing to the political effort to keep the half-cent sales tax was classified as a “destination promotion” and/or “transportation project.”
Under that definition, any candidate for office who sought to, say, triple the area’s tourism promotion budget would likewise qualify for CRVA funding.
Given this haphazard and expansive reading of CRVA’s charter by those in positions of authority, a full audit of the organization to determine how else public funds may have been expended is in order.
