Juan Diego (J.D.) Mazuera Arias (D) – Charlotte City Council – District 5
LPMeck Alignment |
Summary of Responses |
|---|---|
| 85% 🟢 | Supports smarter, flexible zoning for affordable housing, opposes the transit tax hike due to its burden on District 5, and rejects corporate subsidies. He advocates for transparency, fiscal responsibility, and private-sector efficiency. |
Full Answers Provided by the Candidate:
1. Should zoning laws be more or less restrictive?
Zoning laws in Charlotte should be smarter, not simply more or less restrictive. I support reforms that make it easier to build affordable housing and mixed-use development in East Charlotte, while protecting against displacement. The focus should be on flexibility that creates opportunities for families and small businesses, not regulations that price people out.
2. Do you support or oppose the proposed transit sales tax hike?
I oppose it as currently written. It may be a good plan for Charlotte overall, but it’s a bad plan for District 5. It raises the prepared food tax on top of already rising costs (increased city service fees, county property taxes, and the cost of the sales tax), costing families in East Charlotte nearly $500 a year, without delivering us the Silver Line. If it passes, I’ll fight to reinvest those dollars back into East Charlotte.
3. Which areas of the budget would you cut if elected?
Instead of asking where we can cut, I believe we should first ask where dollars are being wasted. I opposed the $650 million subsidy for David Tepper’s stadium because that money could have been invested in public safety, housing, or transit. I will work to eliminate corporate giveaways and redirect those funds into services that actually improve the daily lives of our residents.
4. Should the government step back in areas better handled by the private sector?
Yes. The City shouldn’t be in the business of writing blank checks to billionaire developers. The private sector can handle stadiums and luxury projects — government should focus on the basics: safe streets, reliable transit, affordable housing, and transparent governance.
5. What is your most Libertarian stance, and why should Libertarians support you?
My most Libertarian stance is my opposition to corporate subsidies and backroom deals that distort the free market. Taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be used to line the pockets of wealthy developers while working families struggle to make rent. Libertarians should support me because I stand for transparency, fiscal responsibility, and empowering people — not propping up special interests.