City Council pass tax increases - goodbye nonprofits (Pittsburgh, Harrisburg: house, colleges)

[sr1234]

City Council, mayor embrace controversial five-year recovery plan
- Tribune Review

City Council embraced a controversial five-year financial recovery plan designed to chip away at Pittsburgh's $1.1 billion in debts by seeking to privatize city parking garages, tax nonprofits and possibly charge fees to college students, hospital patients and all-day parkers.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said he will sign the bill into law today to meet a state-mandated deadline.
"It's good news for Pittsburgh. We're very excited that we were able to reach a compromise, and one that is financially responsible," he said.
The next step would be going to Harrisburg next week and beginning to lobby for state support on revenue sources that require the approval of the Legislature, like levying payroll taxes on nonprofit organizations, he said.
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[Hopes]

I think portions of the proposal makes sense. It's taxing the people who likely don't pay taxes in Pittsburgh---students, patients and commuters. People shouldn't have a free ride using Pittsburgh's services. Personally, I think it's about time UPMC pays more taxes, but the UPMC spokesperson made a good point about the 100 million pledge for the Pittsburgh Promise.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by Hopes

I think portions of the proposal makes sense. It's taxing the people who likely don't pay taxes in Pittsburgh---students, patients and commuters. People shouldn't have a free ride using Pittsburgh's services. Personally, I think it's about time UPMC pays more taxes, but the UPMC spokesperson made a good point about the 100 million pledge for the Pittsburgh Promise.

My huge concern though is UMPC and other companies who would relocate to the area may bypass building or relocating in the city and may just go to the suburbs; thus increasing sprawl in an area that should have no sprawl. I think the city should do an incentive to live here with Act 47, such as lowering the EMS tax and the surcharges at colleges and hospitals for people who live in the city limits. That would be a way to get people to move here.

[AaronPGH]

My biggest gripe about the commuter tax is that it hits city residents too. I own a house in the South Side and I bike to work in the strip district. I already pay high property taxes – and I'm not really a burden on the city's road infrastructure, so why am I getting nailed more? I feel like there should be an alternative commuter incentive that erases the commuter tax for people who use alternate forms of transportation to get to work. There are some federal versions of that, but nothing local.

[Hopes]

I agree that people who already pay city taxes shouldn't pay extra student, patient or commuter taxes.

[BrianTH]

I mostly agree about giving a break to City residents, but I disagree a bit when it comes to students: they tend not to have much in the way of income or property while they are students, so they usually aren't going to be paying taxes like most City residents.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I mostly agree about giving a break to City residents, but I disagree a bit when it comes to students: they tend not to have much in the way of income or property while they are students, so they usually aren't going to be paying taxes like most City residents.

Are you saying that you think there shouldn't be a student tax?

Or are you saying that you don't think students who are city residents should get a break since they don't really pay much in taxes?

[ajl777]

thanks we can continue pay for the sins that we weren't around here for. i can't wait to leave this city.

[AaronPGH]

Originally Posted by ajl777

thanks we can continue pay for the sins that we weren't around here for. i can't wait to leave this city.

What "sins" would you be talking about?

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by ajl777

i can't wait to leave this city.

What's stopping you from leaving now?