Joanne Williams
Editor

(Courtesy photo – Sarah Anthony)

 

On the night of the President’s State of the Union Address and the day before the Governor’s State of the State Address, a politician sat in a room of 40 or so citizens and talked politics, politely and pointedly.

It probably should not be a news story, but it is exactly what happened on February 24 as State Senator Sarah Anthony, representing the state’s 21st District held a community conversation.

The just over an hour-long presentation at the Charlotte Community Library also included an update on happenings in Charlotte from Councilman Joe Chin. Three other council members were present, as well as a county commissioner, among the audience of varying ages.

Chin focused on city operations, development, and housing. Anthony began with legislative updates, describing last year as the “least productive” in terms of the legislature producing and approving bills. Her statistics and information were sometimes disheartening, especially in the wake of a $1.8 billion state deficit. She was particularly concerned with issues such as affordable health care and quality and affordable housing options.

As Anthony explained, there were solutions, including raising new revenue (taxes), taking from the state’s rainy day fund, which, she said, has about $2 billion, or cutting current spending. “And it’s been the hardest year ever to cut the budget,” she said, in the wake of federal budget cuts and the economy, as well as a “perfect storm” of COVID relief funds ending, road costs rising and not enough new money to fund spending.

She also balanced her comments by saying she believes “where we can find savings we should.”

About six or so citizens asked questions for about 30 minutes, ranging from the SAVE America Act, a voting rights issue, to housing, taxes and overall ways to solve political stalemates and fair budget spending.

Anthony brought along a number of helpful handouts. Most political conversations include these free resources, with information on the state government, veterans benefits and more.