Local
Kicking off the new year, Allegheny County Row Office officials were sworn into office, including County Controller Corey O’Connor, County Treasurer Erica Rocchi Brusselars and County Executive Sara Innamorato.
This is a generational shift in leadership at the county level, as Brusselars replaces long-time treasurer John Weinstein, who held the post for over 25 years. Innamorato takes the helm as the first female county executive, replacing Rich Fitzgerald, who served in the role for the last 12 years.
Innamorato and her transition team have hit the ground running and want your input on critical policy priorities, including public safety, affordable housing, government transparency and transportation. Click Here to take the survey and spread the word to your neighbors!
The SPC is a regional planning organization for southwestern Pennsylvania that prioritizes transportation and infrastructure, economic development, and local government assistance programs. Ever wonder how PennDOT decides which roads to repair? The SPC is the organization that prioritizes federal infrastructure dollars on behalf of the region.
PCRG looks forward to working with Fitzgerald in his new capacity.
Pittsburgh City Council
ICYMI, Pittsburgh City Council passed the 2024 operating and capital budgets with little changes from Mayor Gainey’s original proposal. The biggest change was the 7% salary increase for council members, compared to the 3% Gainey proposed. PCRG was pleased to see funding for the first City-wide comprehensive plan, as well as investments into neighborhood development, like the Neighborhood Economic Development program and the Housing Opportunity Fund.
Looking ahead, behind the scenes members of the council are now planning for the reorganization of committee chairs and council president, as Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith will not be seeking another term as president. Longtime council members Ricky Burgess and Bruce Krause retired and will be replaced by Khari Mosely and Bob Charland III, respectively. The vote for reorganization is set for January 8.
Building more affordable housing in Pittsburgh took a step in a positive direction as the City of Pittsburgh closed on a $30 million bond issue. Now, the Urban Redevelopment Authority needs to formulate a spending plan for the allocation within 90 days and present the plan to Council.
PCRG will advocate community participation with the URA as they develop the plan.
Harrisburg Happenings
2023-24 Budget, are we there yet? Just before the holiday break – six months past the June 30 deadline – the Pennsylvania General Assembly finally passed code bills that fully authorized spending for the 2023-24 budget.
The monies included aid for community colleges, mental health services and critical public-school public facility improvement grants...The House will remain out of session and no votes will be taken until March 18, due to repairs on a leaking ceiling in the House chamber.
Federal
As expected, President Biden vetoed the congressional action to repeal Section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act. This will protect small businesses and provide necessary transparency in small business lending data that will enhance opportunities for minority-owned businesses.
New Years Resolution for a Continuing Resolution?
Congress left Washington for holiday break without passing spending bills (appropriations) or a temporary spending bill for a fiscal year 2024 budget – leaving the possibility of a two-tiered government shutdown on January 19 and February 2.
Congress doesn’t return from break until January 9th, which leaves just 8 legislative calendar days to agree on spending. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has stated that he will not bring another continuing resolution to the floor for a vote.