Pittsburgh · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pittsburgh public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Proposed unearned income tax
A new city tax on residents' net unearned income — investment and passive income not already taxed by other city income taxes — is being proposed. Residents with investment income should pay attention as this moves through Council.
Capital budget realignments favoring street resurfacing
A series of amendments shift roughly $1.75 million from recreation/senior center and facility lines into street resurfacing across several budget years — while one shifts $1.58 million back out of street resurfacing into facilities.
Budget passage deadline fix
After last year's budget drama — including a Sunday meeting — a bill would set a hard December 20 deadline for council to pass the budget so the mayor has time to act and council has time to override a veto. It morphed from a ballot referendum into a code amendment and got held a week after Council Member Gross objected to the changed language.
2027 budget cuts to Housing Opportunity Fund and Stop the Violence Fund
Mayor O'Connor's preliminary 2027 budget would eliminate dedicated funding for the Housing Opportunity Fund and Stop the Violence Fund while adding about $10 million to the police budget. Nearly a dozen speakers urged Council to preserve the funds, arguing eviction prevention and violence prevention save lives.
Cooperative Purchasing Oversight
Council learned the city spent over $11 million through cooperative purchasing agreements in half a year with limited oversight, and passed an ordinance requiring Council approval of large co-op contracts plus weekly reports of purchases over $5,000.
Proposed 2027 Budget and Housing/Violence Prevention Funding
Residents strongly criticized the mayor's preliminary 2027 budget for zeroing out funding transfers to the Housing Opportunity Fund and Stop the Violence Trust Fund while increasing police funding.
Office of Management and Budget Leadership Appointment
Lawmakers are interviewing a nominee for Chief Financial Officer and OMB Director, who will manage the city's budget and financial planning.
Municipal Courts Building Cost-Sharing
Councilman Coghill introduced a resolution calling on Allegheny County to partner with Pittsburgh on maintenance and capital costs for the aging Municipal Courts Building, highlighting impending multi-million dollar repair expenses.