Improving State’s Equity Formula (FOX Charlotte)
Brien Blakely
Story Created: Apr 7, 2010 at 12:11 AM EDT
Story Updated: Apr 7, 2010 at 12:11 AM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – It’s called the Equity Formula, where state transportation money is distributed to equally among all 100 counties.
But, people in Charlotte have been complaining for years that it should be called the IN-equity formula because under the program there’s no consideration for densely populated cities like the Queen City to get it’s fair share. Rural counties get the same amount of money as Urban areas.
“We’re the ones getting gypped. It’s crazy, you send the money where the people are. People in Raleigh need to wake up and get their act together,” said Charlotte motorist Casey Shady.
According to published reports from the State Department of Transportation, The Charlotte Metro Area ranks near the bottom in per capita spending for road construction and maintenance. Of the State’s 100 Counties, Mecklenburg ranks 89th, Gaston 98th, Union 97th, Cabarrus 81st, Lincoln 72nd and Iredell 69th.
Mecklenburg County Representative Jim Gulley (Republican) says, “I think Charlotte is subsidizing the rural parts of the state at our expense.” Representative Tricia Cotham (Democrat) from Mecklenburg says, “we need and deserve our fair share. Our current system doesn’t work.”
Lawmakers in Raleigh heard public comments Tuesday about changing the Equity Formula. Rep. Bill Current Sr. from Gaston County (Republican) says the best comment of the day was “nobody seems to like the Equity Formula, so it must be pretty good.” But, he adds, even with all the talk about changing the system, in the end he doesn’t think anything will happen.
