Sixty-four to five. That's how the regional planning board voted Wednesday night to put the I-77 South toll lanes back on track — and the number hides more than it tells.

Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox, the board's vice chair, resigned after the vote. Matthews Mayor John Higdon resigned the day before it. Davidson voted yes and said on the record it was voting under duress. Mecklenburg County and Matthews voted no.

Today's episode walks the mechanism: a provision lawmakers slipped into the July state budget that makes local governments repay what the state has already spent if they kill a project. Charlotte was staring at a bill between $59 and $69 million. The board that voted no in May voted yes in September. Whether you call that good governance or coercion probably depends on what you already thought about toll lanes.

Plus: Mecklenburg County Commissioner Leah Altman on why she doesn't think the $300 million community benefits agreement is airtight.

Also in today's briefing:

— State Auditor Dave Boliek walked into CMS unannounced and confirmed a financial investigation that has been running three weeks — predating both the DA's SBI referral and the superintendent's firing.

— Queens University of Charlotte is merging into Elon and becoming "Elon University | Queens College." The presidents did not rule out job cuts.

— Festival in the Park opens Friday at Freedom Park.

CLT Daily is an independent daily news briefing for Charlotte, hosted by Steve Bouboulis. New episode every morning.

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