Renee Perkins Johnson for Charlotte District 4

October 11, 2025

District 4 residents,

I want to share where I currently stand on the upcoming Transportation Tax Referendum. While I understand the need for infrastructure investment and have consistently fought for it, I believe we should pause rather than rush into this vote.

When I voted in 2024 to move the referendum forward, I said that it was a tough decision because "so many in our city are hurting". These challenges remain. This proposal still raises many unanswered questions, especially around accountability, displacement, and fairness.

Here’s what concerns me:

• Accountability & transparency: We still don’t have crystal-clear answers on how all the funds will be used, which neighborhoods benefit when, or how oversight will prevent waste or misallocation.

• Anti-displacement protections: Without STRONG safeguards, this tax could accelerate gentrification and push longtime residents out of neighborhoods that receive new infrastructure.

• Burden on those already stretched: While proponents call it “just a penny,” the tax applies to prepared foods — meaning it hits hardest for families and individuals who can least afford it. For our homeless neighbors living in hotels and motels without kitchens, there’s little choice but to purchase prepared meals. This makes the impact of the tax especially unfair on those already struggling to get by.

• One shot to get it right: If we pass a flawed plan now, opportunities to correct it later may be limited. We should wait until we have a stronger, more equitable approach.

I will always advocate for strategic, equitable investment in transportation and infrastructure. But I cannot support a “less than perfect” plan — as even its proponents have called it. We have one chance to get this right, and our community deserves a stronger plan that protects residents while moving Charlotte forward.

To learn more, I encourage you to read both perspectives:

• Action NC – https://actionnc.org/initiatives/meck-no-to-the-transportation-tax/

• Yes For Meck– https://yesformeck.com/

District 4 voters, you have always done your homework. I trust you will again.

Renee' Perkins Johnson
Charlotte City Council, District 4