Jennifer Wig

RALEIGH, N.C. –  A bill now on the the governor’s desk would allow the state’s second- and third-largest metro areas to expand mass transit systems if voters approve raising local sales taxes.

HB 148/SB 151 would allow the state’s voters in Forsyth, Guilford, Wake, Durham and Orange counties to  decide whether to increase local sales taxes by half a cent and car registration fees by up to $5. In order to take effect, voters must agree during an election.

By Diego_3336/Flickr Creative Commons

Read Ratified Bill

Charlotte voters approved this measure 10 years ago for improved rail and bus systems. Meanwhile, groundbreaking began Wednesday on the state’s first toll road, which will cost more than $1 billion.

According to a study out earlier this year by the Regional Transportation Alliance, 53 percent of Triangle residents said they would vote for such a measure.

But that was before the state approved the new budget, which includes an 1-cent “temporary” increase on sales taxes along with a surcharge on state taxes and higher cigarette and alcohol taxes.

With all that, will voters decide another half-cent is worth it to build trains? In case you’re wondering, a half-cent increase means for every $10 you spend, it will cost you an extra 5 cents.

Blame my mother. It’s all her fault I got into journalism. I was simply bored around the house one summer day, playing with our new computer. I decided to write a few news items down in the Word processing program. “Household Happenings” only published two issues. Naturally, my mom thought it was fantastic.

I dismissed her career idea. But she must have planted a seed in my head, because by senior year of high school, I knew what I wanted to do: write for a newspaper. I did for several years.

Now, I work as a web and broadcast producer for a TV news station, which has taught me other forms of writing. I’ve also gained skills in Web, social networking, an understanding of TV and I’ve honed my ability to think on my feet.

Last year, I began using my skills to write articles/press releases and use social networking and other techniques to promote companies and events.

As I embark on new ventures and uses for my skills, I think about that seed Mom planted years ago.  I’m lucky she did, and it keeps on growing.

As Leo and I sat in the car, we joked that maybe this cabin retreat would have a hot tub.

Hot Tub at Sequoia Cottage

“Nah,” I told him. “I don’t think so.”

We pulled up to the Sugar Hollow Sequoia cabin at 10:30 p.m. I was struck by how homey it appeared from the outside and how conveniently it was set up inside. As we explored, I wandered to the rear of the living room to scope out the back deck. I wanted to know if I could see any stars.

But eyes were not drawn to the skies. “What IS that?” I asked Leo.

We both started laughing. It’s a HOT TUB!

We turned and gave each other a high five.

Sugar Hollow is a cabin/woods retreat just across the Tennessee border, not far from where I used to live in Bristol.  I’ve just been hired to help do some writing for them and get the word out about the place, hence the reason for my visit. You can look for my writings on the Sugar Hollow Web site soon.