CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte's status as one of the nation's largest airline hubs could be in jeopardy because the state's jet fuel sales tax cap expires at the end of this year.
Eyewitness News anchor Blair Miller has a look at the effort to keep the tax break for the airlines.
The U.S. Airways hub in Charlotte is extremely important, and Gov. Pat McCrory said he will do what he can to keep it here.
Under state law, airlines operating in North Carolina are refunded for fuel taxes that they pay beyond $2.5 million a year.
If the fuel tax credit expires, it would mean that airlines would have to pay millions of dollars more on fuel sales taxes. That would cause them to drop flights from airports, which would affect Charlotte's hub status.
A bill to address the issue is expected to be introduced in the General Assembly.
The governor said Monday that he plans for the airport fuel tax to be part of his budget.
"Our airport and that airline is probably the greatest economic generator of jobs not just to Charlotte but the entire region of North and South Carolina," McCrory said.
Meanwhile, critics of the fuel sales tax credit question whether it's fair to give the airlines a break when they reported record profits last year.
A Charlotte woman doesn't have to sleep in a cold home anymore thanks to a new program from Duke Energy.
The company created a Helping Home Fund that helps qualified low-income customers get up to $10,000 a home energy makeover.
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