Commissioner Laura Meier
What steps will you take (or have you taken) to ensure LGBTQ+ people who live in, work in, or visit Mecklenburg are protected against discrimination? What steps do you support (or have you done) to protect equitable access to healthcare for all people, including Transgender people?
I am proud of my work in getting Mecklenburg County's Non-Discrimination Resolution written and passed and then most recently, getting the Mecklenburg County's Non-Discrimination Ordinance written and passed. It was a proud and historical moment for the county, and I was a part of that process from the very beginning.
I absolutely support healthcare for all people. Mecklenburg County's plan to build Community Resource Centers (CRCs) in high-need areas is a first step in bringing healthcare to the people. Additionally, with our partnership with Atrium's and Wake Forest's Innovation District (including the medical school) Atrium is better able to serve more people by attracting more talent and building more full-service clinics in areas that are in most need of quality healthcare.
We should never accept discrimination in healthcare among anyone. Transgender youth and adults are in particular in a perilous place in our society and it is our job--mine, yours, society's--to protect our most vulnerable. I would support any program that would allow Transgender folks to be protected at all times. I'm not sure what happened to compassion among people, but I for one will continue to be a voice for all.
What will you do (or have you done) to maintain equitable access to green spaces and parks in Mecklenburg County? What plans do you have to ensure affordable housing to Mecklenburg County residents?
I have been a vocal supporter of parks and green spaces in Mecklenburg County and I continue to voice support for increased funding. While Mecklenburg County has beautiful parks, they are not equitably distributed throughout the county, and many are in dire need of updates. I support Park and Recreation's plan to move forward with renovating our D and F- rated parks which are in mostly underserved neighborhoods. I am continuing to support more land acquisition in the county so that we can ensure that development does not take all our green space. I am continuing to have conversations with Charlotte City Council members to ensure collaboration among the boards so that while development and density are necessary in our booming region, we don't forget to keep green space for all our residents to enjoy. Green space is necessary for good physical and mental health for all our residents.
Keeping the affordable housing conversation front and center is imperative. We are in a crisis. I support efforts to stop Source of Income Discrimination (SOID). I currently serve on the Inter-governmental Committee, and solutions for SOID have been a topic between city and county as well as with Inlivian. Additionally, at the county level, we are seeking ways to decrease the amount of investment companies buying up properties in lower income areas. I have supported county funding partnerships with Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing projects (NOAHs). I continue to work with my colleagues to push the county leadership to require more 30-80% AMI in housing developments. While affordable housing has been traditionally a city issue, it is crystal clear that this is all of our problem, and working together and collaboratively, we must address this growing emergency.
What actions do you support (or have you supported) to ensure people have equitable access (including transportation and housing) to jobs that provide a living wage, including supporting minority-owned businesses? How are you addressing the Leandro ruling to ensure equitable access to education?
Mecklenburg County has a great track record with our Minority, Women and Small Business Enterprise program (MWBSE). I support all efforts to provide equal opportunities to minorities, women and small businesses to participate in our construction contracts as well as other services. Additionally, I am proud to have voted for Atrium's and Wake Forest's Innovation District and medical school Tax Increment Grant, allowing them to 1- provide thousands of well-paying jobs to those without college degrees; 2- partner with local schools and higher learning institutions to increase interest in the medical field and 3- finally bring about a diversified economy, something that is imperative to the success to our region.
I support public education, and that is precisely why I voted against the 2023 budget last June. We must address the inequities in education, and decreased funding and inadequate funding is not the way to do it. The school system cannot do more with less. We must prioritize funding our schools because our state legislature is not.
With racism being declared a public health crisis, what steps do you support (or have you supported) to address the racial inequities that exist in Mecklenburg County? These include but are not limited to environmental racism, overpolicing, and healthcare access.
I believe that knowing our past can help better shape our future. This is why I helped steer a racial equity study of Mecklenburg County with another colleague and the Mecklenburg County Library. It is a stunning look at how systemic racism has been embedded in the county for generations. Understanding how we got here is the first step in reconciling what we know and what we have to do.
Furthermore, I support the County's $2M budget for Equity Investments. Serving on the Equity Investments ad-hoc committee, we will be addressing how best to spend the money. I hope to see us increase that investment and keep it in the budget in perpetuity.
We have a great opportunity with our American Recovery Plan Act money, and I hope we use it to support the many, many valuable organizations who are already addressing inequities in our county. From second chance employment to pathways to home ownership, from healthcare to green spaces, we can accomplish amazing things.
Thanks for sharing your vision of how to make Mecklenburg a more equitable, inclusive place! Are there any additional comments or initiatives you'd like to share?
While serving my first year in office, I am proud of my work on the NDO as well as working toward addressing the many inequities that exist in our county. I am not done. We have much work to do, and I am dedicated to continuing to make a difference in the lives of Mecklenburg County residents.