distressed status to be lifted??? (Pittsburgh, McMurray: how much, live, move)

[londonbarcelona]

Guylocke started it....................

Here is something interesting, but if you want to discuss it in length, please use another thread. City council, in a 7-1 vote, officially requested that the state review the distressed status and act 47 that Pittsburgh has been under since 2003 in the hopes that it will be lifted.

Interesting.. is Pittsburgh holding it's own?

City asks state to end distressed status

Quote:
Pittsburgh City Council gave final approval today to a resolution asking the state to consider lifting the distressed status and extra Act 47 fiscal oversight the city has labored under since 2003.

The 7-1 vote, with only Councilman William Peduto against, goes to state Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Yablonsky. If he approves it, it "becomes the official application to withdraw from Act 47," said Councilman Jim Motznik.

"I'm hopeful that the secretary will make a determined effort and treat us fairly," said Council President Doug Shields.

[guylocke]

I think the mayor is very hesitant in requesting the status lifted. I believe what I've read is that Ravenstahl believes that Pittsburgh is most definitely on more secure financial footing that it has been in many years but that there is still a lot of work yet, and that the city still needs the state's assistance.

He said he hopes to request a lift "in the near future" but not right now. Unless he's changed his mind.

Can city-council make the request without the mayor on board? Apparently...? I'm not too familiar with all the specifics.

[kpoeppel]

Distressed status to be lifted? Not according to the following article in the Tribune Review:
State control likely to stay for Pittsburgh

[guylocke]

I guess we'll see. I'm not really sure how it will be helpful for the city to get the status lifted at this point in time.

[pghquest]

Originally Posted by guylocke

I guess we'll see. I'm not really sure how it will be helpful for the city to get the status lifted at this point in time.

The primary benefit would be allowing Pittsburgh to lower the interest rate at which we borrow funds.

The synical part of me is questioning the timing and wondering how much money the city wants to borrow. (hence how we got into problem to begin with)

[suzeeq521]

Ravenstahl may seem hesitant, but this is his big thing. He wants out from under, because he never wanted it in the first place.

If you check the history, as a councilman, he fought even having.

That said, I truly don't believe we are ready for it. Not even close. His structurally balanced budget is just that - structurally balanced. It does not one thing to address the mounting debt from the old-fashioned pensions that will be coming due.

[scrapp]

Originally Posted by pghquest

The primary benefit would be allowing Pittsburgh to lower the interest rate at which we borrow funds.

The synical part of me is questioning the timing and wondering how much money the city wants to borrow. (hence how we got into problem to begin with)

To quote the Trib: City Council wants state's answer on Act 47 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

"State oversight makes it difficult for unions to negotiate for better benefits."

That is one of the driving factors behind the attempt to remove oversight, depsite the city's current debt load (health care, underfunded pension system, etc.) and predicted future budget shortfalls.

[guylocke]

I see. Interesting, learned some things I didn't know. Thank you.

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by guylocke

I see. Interesting, learned some things I didn't know. Thank you.

(((Guylocke))) Ah hell, don't feel bad, I didn't get into the conversation because I haven't a *clue* what's going on! I'm glad you originally raised the question, because it has helped me learn more about the city!

I have a question for others: This "distressed status," how does that effect the out laying towns? Are places like Cranberry, McMurray, USC, etc., are they all effected too? I have no idea how the government is run in PA!

[guylocke]

Are places like Cranberry, McMurray, USC, etc., are they all effected too? I have no idea how the government is run in PA!

Good question, the only thing I can answer in definite is that Cranberry won't be affected because even though it's considered a suburb of Pittsburgh, it's not in Allegheny County.

BTW, I've spent a lot of time in Adam's township recently (a friend of mine moved there) and am blown away every time I go. Their little two lane roads are soon-to-become 4 lane highways. It's crazy. The growth in Adam's is crazy.