RALEIGH, N.C. -- Lawmakers are mulling over a bill that could help create a light rail system and other modes of mass transportation in some parts of the state.

 

Under House Bill 2263, the "Congestion Relief/Intermodal Transport Fund" bill, counties could hold referendums to impose a half-cent sales tax that would help fund and earn matching funds for new mass transportation systems. It's modeled after the same system Charlotte used to get its light rail and bus system.

 

Bill sponsor Representative Becky Carney said it didn't take long for light rail to hit the fast track in Charlotte.

 

"This has been successful in Charlotte. It needs to be successful in the rest of the state,” Carney said.

 

Copying the Queen City’s transportation system and the half-cent sales tax, Carney said, would help ease congestion in the Triad and Triangle.

 

"It is leveling the playing field for all the urban regions,” Carney said.

 

Counties near the urban areas, like Fayetteville, would have similar options including a quarter cent sales tax, mostly for express buses.

 

While the bill is aimed at reducing congestion, Southern Environmental Law Center attorney David Farren said, it could also reduce pollution

 

"It'll have a huge impact in reducing emissions which is critical,” Farren said. "If we don't address these problems the feds are gonna come in and tell us how to address them."

 

Aside from each eligible county holding a referendum, the sales tax would require a financial plan and the approval of county commissioners. North Carolina Association of County Commissioners representative Paul Meyer said if the bill passes the outcome is hard to predict.

 

"The problem for regional projects is everybody always has to get something out of it, that's always the barrier for folks,” Meyer said.

 

The House Transportation Committee will vote on the bill next week.