Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

How Can Cities Succeed in State Budget Negotiations?

Political sqabbles at the state level are a major obstacles for cities seeking to add transit amenities, like this light rail line in Charlotte. Photo: The Naked City
Political squabbles at the state level are major obstacles for cities seeking to build transit routes like this light rail line in Charlotte. Photo: The Naked City
false

Winning support for good transportation projects in the state legislature can be one of the most challenging political problems cities face, especially with the current revenue squeeze. And without support from the state, it can be impossible to build new transit lines.

Mary Newsom at the Naked City recently sat in on a discussion about how Charlotte can secure funds for its transportation priorities at the state capitol. Here was the advice from state rep Bill Brawley, a Republican who represents Mecklenburg County:

For cities like Charlotte, growth and congestion mean more voters and businesses want mass transit as well as expanded roads. But the General Assembly today is dominated by Republicans who are more likely to represent rural or suburban districts. Here's Brawley's advice:

"Whenever you do anything to raise money for transportation ... you make people mad," he said. In that atmosphere, it's important to try to build a statewide consensus on funding before you even approach politicians. But when Charlotte comes to Raleigh seeking money for transportation projects, he said, "Charlotte comes with Charlotte-specific projects.They don't talk about the state as a whole. They don't work on building support with the state as a whole." In other words -- and this is my wording here -- act like you care about more than Charlotte.

His final words: "In Raleigh, if you're not at the table, you're on the menu."

What do you think -- has this kind of strategy succeeded where you live? Should cities advocate for their own needs first and foremost or start out by putting together a big tent coalition for more funding?

Elsewhere on the Network today: Seattle Transit Blog wonders if requiring apartment builders to "unbundle" the costs of amenities like pools and gyms would make housing more affordable. Second Avenue Sagas discusses the pros and cons of making developers contribute to funding for new transit. And Systemic Failure says that even though California's proposed mandatory helmet bill has been watered down considerably, it's still a problem.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Monday’s Headlines: Adams’s Anti-Bike Legacy Edition

The mayor's war on cyclists pivots to video. Plus more news.

June 16, 2025

Double Whammy: NYPD Slaps Brooklyn Mom With Criminal Summons, $190 Fine

Meet Phaedra Paulson, a Brooklyn mom who is, apparently, Public Enemy #1.

June 16, 2025

Unsafe at Any Speed: NJ Officials Allow Illegal Driving Schools To Run Rampant

A cottage industry of unlicensed, unregulated driving schools targets the state’s immigrant population, evading the system carefully set up to keep road users safe.

June 16, 2025

Monday Video: Polls Are Open — Here’s a Primer

We sent Emily Lipstein and Ilan Cardenas-Silverstein into the belly of the beast to make sense of last week's debate.

June 16, 2025

BREAKING: Mayor Adams to Remove Bedford Avenue Protected Bike Lane Citing, Bizarrely, Safety

A protected bike lane that was installed last year to calm a notoriously dangerous Brooklyn corridor will be removed by the Adams administration, making the roadway less safe.

June 13, 2025
See all posts