With Democrats controlling NC House, Charlotte is optimistic about getting city’s priorities passed

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte is the biggest city in North Carolina, but it’s the General Assembly in Raleigh that holds the legislative power.

Now, with Democrats assuming control of the North Carolina House, Channel 9 Government Reporter Joe Bruno is learning that could help the power dynamics between the two cities.

If you ask Charlotte City Councilmember Malcolm Graham, he’d tell you, “The dog has caught up to the car.”

Graham served in the North Carolina General Assembly when the Democrats lost the state House. Now that the Democrats are getting it back, the city council is optimistic it can get some of its priorities passed.

When state lawmakers passed House Bill 2, cracking down on the city of Charlotte’s nondiscrimination ordinance, it was a stark reminder for the Queen City: Raleigh has the power.

But starting in January, most of the people in power in Raleigh will play for the same team as 10 members of Charlotte City Council.

“Go out to lunch with our delegation now because they have a lot more influence than they do Monday night,” said Councilman Malcolm Graham of District 2.

Graham says city leaders shouldn’t pop champagne just yet, though. As of now, Republicans still have a narrow majority in the state Senate, so Charlotte won’t be able to get everything it wants. But he says some of the pressure has been taken off that Raleigh may punish Charlotte if it doesn’t stay in line.

“It feels like we have a little breathing room. Obviously it is still a Dillon rule state but these are our friends, our supporters and people who understand what we are trying to do in Mecklenburg County,” Graham said.

Charlotte’s legislative agenda is still a work in progress, but council members would like to see data center regulation, more funding for the DA and local courts, red light and noise cameras and expanded property tax relief.

Charlotte City Council members see the change in power in Raleigh as an opportuntiy.

“I think Tuesday’s election results sent a powerful message. Voters are looking for change,” said Charlotte City Councilmember Dimple Ajmera.

Graham says only a few remaining Democrats served in the majority. But one of them is Becky Carney. He says Charlotte will lean on her experience with the newly-elected members in the North Carolina House.

There will be 71 Democrats, 48 Republicans and one unaffiliated in the state’s 120 House seats.

In 2011, Republicans took control of the General Assembly for the first time in more than 100 years. That year, they got the benefit of redistricting, which helped them keep the majority until now. Four times in that time frame, Republicans held a supermajority in both chambers. They lost that in the 2024 election.

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