CHARLOTTE, NC — State lawmakers have pushed through a bill that supporters hope will close the question of who should run Charlotte-Douglas International.
The battle to control the airport is splitting Mecklenburg’s representation in Raleigh, and this latest twist has city leaders vowing that this fight is far from over.
“It’s just booming,” says Stanley resident Jackson Brown. “It’s growing leaps and bounds.”
But who will control the future growth of Charlotte-Douglas?
First the Senate, now the House, voting through a bill that would turn the airport over to a regional commission.
“I think it relates to the state wanting some more tax money, and more control,” says Brown. “It would be better off left with the city.”
“You’ve got the potential, when you bring in people from outside of Mecklenburg onto the governing body, who may want to divert funds at some point in the future to some of the other airports within the region,” says Rep. Kelly Alexander (D-Mecklenburg).
Many people feel that the fight to control Charlotte-Douglas International is a battle between the city and the state, but one state representative we talked to feels the old adage is true: all politics are local.
This is the second attempt backed by Mecklenburg Republicans to establish the commission. A judge blocked the first last year, while a lawsuit filed by the City of Charlotte plays out in court.
Supporters say this latest push is simply an attempt to answer FAA questions. Mecklenburg Democrats say it’s just sour grapes.
“The Bill doesn’t do anything to to settle the issue,” says Rep. Alexander. “They’ve been unable to get what they wanted done because of the lawsuits, and this is just an attempt to get it done by other means.”
Charlotte Mayor Dan Clodfelter asked the legislature to stand down on the bill while the two sides continued to negotiate.
“This new legislation is not the end of the matter, and does not address our concerns,” says Mayor Clodfelter. “We will continue to reach out to state officials to seek a mutually acceptable resolution of the dispute.”
The House passed the Charlotte Airport Commission Clarifications bill by a 75-42 vote. Representative Alexander says the local bill does not require Governor Pat McCrory’s signature.
