House Bill 148, authorizing counties to levy a half- or quarter-cent sales tax to fund transit improvements, was pulled from a Senate committee agenda today. It might be held aside until after the legislature adopts a budget.
Some legislators don't want to consider the local-option sales tax until after the House and Senate come to agreement on possible statewide hikes in sales and other taxes.
There are changes being considered for the bill whenever it does resurface.
The version approved by the House gives local county commissioners and voters (in a required referendum) the option for a half-cent sales tax in the Triad and Triangle's Wake, Durham, Orange, Guilford and Forsyth counties, with a quarter-cent option in all other counties except Mecklenburg (the only county that already has a half-cent transit sales tax).
Some Mecklenburg folks want to add the option to hike their transit sales tax from one-half to a full one cent. And Mecklenburg Sen. Dan Clodfelter wants to remove the quarter-cent option for the 94 outside the Triad and Triangle.
Stay tuned.
Bruce Siceloff reports on traffic and transportation. A News & Observer reporter and editor since 1976, he took over the 
