Consultants and other visitors at Wednesday's drop-in workshop at Cornelius Town Hall looked at maps of the proposed I-77 widening project. (David Boraks/CorneliusNews.net)

Protesters at the federal courthouse in Charlotte. Photo: Kalie McMonagle

More than 100 people rallied at the federal courthouse in Charlotte Friday in protest of a mandate that requires employers' health plans to offer coverage for contraceptives. They argue that religious institutions should be exempt from the requirement.

The rally was one of many held across the country.

In a dramatic upset Monday night, the Charlotte City Council rejected a property tax increase and upended the city's entire budget process. Council voted 6 to 5 against raising property taxes by 8% to fund $926 million in infrastructure projects. The vote took several council members and Mayor Anthony Foxx by surprise.

"What has just been done tonight is perhaps the most irresponsible decision I've seen the city council make in history," said Foxx.

Newcomers to the council - Democrats Claire Fallon and Beth Pickering - voted against the tax increase.

Uptown Charlotte will be home to minor league baseball. Charlotte City council Moday night approved the final installment of public financing of a stadium for the Charlotte Knights.

But the bigger and surprising news to emerge from the meeting was the defeat of a property tax increase that would have funded infrastructure improvements in struggling areas. The decision drew a strong rebuke from Mayor Anthony Foxx.

The plan to extend light rail from Uptown to UNC-Charlotte is in jeopardy as a result of decisions made this week on the city and state level.

City council members rejected a plan to raise taxes for street and sidewalk projects that would support the rail line. North Carolina lawmakers have drafted a budget that eliminates funding for the project.

Both moves come just as Congress prepares to review Charlotte's request for a large grant to cover half the cost of constructing the Blue Line Extension.