The Senate Leaders said it was terrible, just terrible that when people who live in rural counties shop in Charlotte, the sales taxes they pay stay in Charlotte to build schools and roads in Charlotte – and introduced a plan to cure the devilment. By changing the way the state allocates sales taxes between counties to be sure nearly half the sales taxes paid in Charlotte don’t stay in Charlotte.

Under their plan 20 urban counties (and 5 million people) lose. And 80 rural counties (and 5 million people) win.

Senate Republican Leaders – most of whom live in rural counties – have no doubt the result is justice.

Meantime, House Republican Leaders (who’re more likely to be from urban counties) and the Governor (who has to run in all the counties) aren’t so sure.

Either way, there’s one question Senators Phil Berger and Harry Brown haven’t answered: Under their plan, will people in Charlotte (and the other losing counties) now be paying for schools and roads in the winning (rural) counties?

As best I can tell neither Senator ever even asked.

The answer’s a mystery.

For now.