Southern Betlway (Pittsburgh, Fox Chapel, Hampton: condos, townhomes, buy)

[armourereric]

It is my understanding that the $450 million that the state extorts from the PTC goes directly to transit, sadly not for maintenance or expansion, but to prop up PAT and SEPTA's underfunded pension systems.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by armourereric

It is my understanding that the $450 million that the state extorts from the PTC goes directly to transit, sadly not for maintenance or expansion, but to prop up PAT and SEPTA's underfunded pension systems.

If that is accurate, they really have to start thinking of making PAT some kind of semi-private entity, if that is possible. Some states have relinquished operation and a large part of control to private companies - foreign ones at that.

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

If that is accurate, they really have to start thinking of making PAT some kind of semi-private entity, if that is possible. Some states have relinquished operation and a large part of control to private companies - foreign ones at that.

How will that help fund the pension obligations? The issue, which plagues so many government entities, is that pension law allowed far more lax funding rules for public pension plans than private ones. The unfunded obligations are on the backs of today's taxpayer (or alternative funding source) instead of the taxpayers that were responsible for the cost at the time it was actually incurred. Privatizing roads and transit agencies is only furthering the pillaging of the current generation being born today.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by WhoIsStanwix?

How will that help fund the pension obligations? The issue, which plagues so many government entities, is that pension law allowed far more lax funding rules for public pension plans than private ones. The unfunded obligations are on the backs of today's taxpayer (or alternative funding source) instead of the taxpayers that were responsible for the cost at the time it was actually incurred. Privatizing roads and transit agencies is only furthering the pillaging of the current generation being born today.

You are questioning the wisdom of privatization, but then state that the public pensions are problematic because of unsound funding sources. I don't quite understand your response.

What I was hinting at was the eventual phasing out of public pensions, by having all that managed privately. Chances are, privatization will mean NO pensions. I do not think that is a bad idea.

[MountainDewGuy]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

School districts DO matter. Families want the best for their children. The homes in the best school districts aren't affordable to many.

Homes in the best school districts are certainly affordable to the average wage earner. The median household income in Pittsburgh is $50k. At $50K per year, the average family should be able to afford a home valued at $150K, roughly speaking, in at least some of the school districts people consider to be the best. If both parents are working full time and average at least $25K per year, this shouldn't be too difficult to accomplish. (Single parent households make this task more difficult, of course).

If a middle class household earns less than the median household income, they can still afford a home in an average school district.

[Paul2421]

Originally Posted by MountainDewGuy

Homes in the best school districts are certainly affordable to the average wage earner. The median household income in Pittsburgh is $50k. At $50K per year, the average family should be able to afford a home valued at $150K, roughly speaking, in at least some of the school districts people consider to be the best. If both parents are working full time and average at least $25K per year, this shouldn't be too difficult to accomplish. (Single parent households make this task more difficult, of course).

If a middle class household earns less than the median household income, they can still afford a home in an average school district.

your aren't finding a 150k house in hampton, na, mt lebo. more like 200k for a family home minimum. for fox chapel maybe in sburg i guess but that has some problems. Overall i agree though.

[MountainDewGuy]

Originally Posted by Paul2421

your aren't finding a 150k house in hampton, na, mt lebo. more like 200k for a family home minimum. for fox chapel maybe in sburg i guess but that has some problems. Overall i agree though.

You can find a house for $150K in Hampton, NA, Mt, Lebo and Fox Chapel SDs. Some of these might be harder than others to find that house, but certainly in NA and FC it can be done.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

What I was hinting at was the eventual phasing out of public pensions, by having all that managed privately. Chances are, privatization will mean NO pensions. I do not think that is a bad idea.

Can the old people stay in your house?

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by Moby Hick

Can the old people stay in your house?

No, but they could stay with family (not a big deal or rare in many societies, except for our very self-centric one where mom and dad are left to rot), or use the resources they should have had planned for the previous 50 years of their life.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by szug-bot

No, but they could stay with family (not a big deal or rare in many societies, except for our very self-centric one where mom and dad are left to rot), or use the resources they should have had planned for the previous 50 years of their life.

If you work your career expecting for somebody who says they are going to pay you a pension, you have planned. If you don't get it after you've worked a career expecting one, you've been cheated.