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Property tax cut proposed in Mecklenburg Co.

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012, 8:48am

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Tuesday night, Mecklenburg County Manager Harry Jones proposed a 2.44 cent property tax decrease that would give residents the lowest tax rate in eight years.

The tax decrease is part of a budget proposal presented to county commissioners for the next fiscal year.

Jones said he was pleased to announce the tax proposal, made possible by what county leaders called conservative estimates on just how much money the county would bring in during 2012.

The property tax decrease would bring the rate down to 79.22 cents per $100 of valued property.

While many property owners will be excited about the proposal, not everyone will be happy with the overall budget.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools requested a $27 million increase from the county, which would have helped pay for a three percent raise in teachers' salaries.

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Mitt Romney makes return trip to Charlotte

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff
Friday, May 11th, 2012, 7:42pm

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney made his second trip to Charlotte in less than a month.

He spoke to several hundred voters  at the Charlotte Pipe and Foundry near Uptown Charlotte.

With the introduction coming from North Carolina's senior senator Richard Burr, Mitt Romney wasted no time in saying he needs Tar Heel help in getting him to the White House.

"I'm counting on North Carolina to help take the country back," he said.

Earlier this week, North Carolinians passed Amendment One, a measure to define marriage between one man and one woman. It has intensified the same sex marriage debate. On Thursday, Romney apologized for allegedly bullying a gay classmate in high school.

"I'm sure like other folks I've done stupid things in high school and if I offended anyone by that I certainly apologize," he said.

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City outlines protest rules for DNC

Submitted by Sharon Smith
Monday, April 23rd, 2012, 11:51am

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - We're getting a more clear picture of how the city will handle protestors during the Democratic National Convention in September. City leaders say their plan is about striking a balance between security and First Amendment rights.

There will be an established parade route and speaker's platform, for which protestors will need permits. The speaker's platform will also have amplification equipment provided by the city.

The permitting process for both venues starts in June. Time slots for groups or individuals will be decided by a random lottery in July. Locations will be announced in late summer.

The timing and process is very important to Occupy Charlotte, which has been working with national groups to organize large protests. However, their planning is limited until the city tells them where protestors will be allowed.

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7 new faces running to become NC's No. 2 executive

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012, 1:39pm
7 new faces running to become NC's No. 2 executive

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Accomplished newcomers and veteran politicians who haven't run for statewide office are among the seven candidates from the two major political parties vying to be North Carolina's next lieutenant governor.

The job has limited authority and exists mainly to identify who takes over if something happens to the governor, which has happened five times. The lieutenant governor also presides over the state Senate, sits on the state's community college and school boards and can be assigned other duties by the governor. The job pays $123,198 a year and is considered a stepping stone to higher office.

Lieutenant governors are elected independently from governors and the two offices can be held by members of opposing political parties.

The primary is May 8.

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DNCC announces internship program

Submitted by Nick Needham on Thursday, March 8th, 12:31 pm
DNCC announces internship program

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - The Democratic National Convention Committee is currently accepting applications from undergraduate and graduate college students to serve as summer interns.  The program is open to students at colleges and universities across the country and is a unique opportunity to take part in the behind-the-scenes events of the Democratic National Convention. 

The application and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at the DNCC website, http://www.demconvention.com/internship-application.asp.  The deadline to apply is March 30.  Interns will serve from May 28 through August 10 and will work out of the DNCC headquarters in uptown Charlotte. 

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First Lady returning to Charlotte to celebrate CIAA Tournament

Submitted by Nick Needham on Thursday, March 1st, 8:33 pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - First Lady Michelle Obama will be in Charlotte Friday to attend several fundraisers and a CIAA pre-game event.

The White House announced the First Lady's travels on Tuesday.

She will begin her day trip to the Tarheel State at Raleigh-Durham International Airport where she will meet with members of the U.S. Military. She will then attend a Democratic National Committee event in Raleigh before heading to Charlotte.

The First Lady will join Senator Kay Hagan and North Carolina school children for a Let's Move! on-court event during the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament and 100th Anniversary celebration.

The CIAA, known as the "Conference of Firsts" is the oldest African-American athletic conference in the nation and consists of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) spanning the east coast from Pennsylvania to North Carolina.

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Cogdell won't seek reelection, leaving Democratic Party

Submitted by Nick Needham on Monday, February 27th, 6:49 pm

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - The chairman of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners said he will not seek reelection to a third term.

Harold Cogdell Jr., made the public announcement Monday at the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections.

"Policy makers can add in some way," said Cogdell, "but that doesn't change until our community embraces that as a high priority," he said talking about his frustration with the inability to bring about real change.

Cogdell said he will change his party affiliation to unaffiliated. He is currently registered as a Democrat. 

"When you become an unaffiliated voter, you have given up politically," said UNC-Charlotte political science professor emeritus, Ted Arrington. He said Cogdell had problems within his own party. Last fall, Cogdell arranged a coup to unseat Chair Jennifer Roberts with the help of some Republicans on the Board.

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