Thursday, May 06, 2010

Fwd: Policy Brief: "Most Livable" a Dubious and Fleeting Honor

From: Allegheny Institute




Policy Brief

An electronic publication of

The Allegheny Institute for Public Policy



May 6, 2010                                                                                                     Volume 10, Number 24






  "Most Livable" a Dubious and Fleeting Honor


Quick—who did Forbes magazine recently name as its "Most Livable City"?  Unless one has been under a rock in southwestern Pennsylvania they would know that Pittsburgh was crowned with the honor. 

The City—more accurately, the seven county metropolitan statistical area from which data was extracted and compared to other metro areas—has now been named "most livable" by three separate publications since spring of 2007.  Forbes' insistence on calling metro areas cities is terribly misleading and not worthy of the magazine.  This is especially true in the case of Pittsburgh where the City's population accounts for about 13 percent of the metro population.  That's compared to the Allegheny Institute Benchmark City average of 40 percent. 

But which place was bestowed with the Forbes number one title last year?  That is probably not on the tips of many people's tongues. The answer is Portland, ME. A review of the 2009 most livable list and the 2010 rankings (as much as are available, as Forbes' website  presents slides for only the top ten or fifteen metro areas) shows that Portland  dropped out of the 2010 top ten entirely.  The same fate was shared by three others in the top five for 2009 (Bethesda, Des Moines, and Tulsa).  Only the metro area comprising Stamford, CT managed to retain its place in the top performers, dropping from fourth place to ninth. 

This year Pittsburgh, along with two Utah places (Ogden and Provo), Ann Arbor, MI, and our own state capital comprised the top five most livable.

So how does one account for the fact that—in one year's time—Forbes has put together a new top five with all of last year's cream of the crop failing to stay in the top five while last year's tenth place finisher  jumped to number one? The ranking's volatility from year to year suggests a not very well thought out methodology. After all if the most livable  cannot stay in the top ten for a year after being so designated, what is the point of naming a number one in the first place? 

Consider the disappointment of someone who decided to act on the belief that the Portland ranking was accurate and moved there only to see the ranking drop dramatically by the next spring. Consider too, the poor Chamber of Commerce in Portland. What does it do after a year of touting itself as the number one livable city only to find themselves now not even in the top ten?  How do they explain the drop without saying either (a) their city has undergone a massive twelve month decline in its economy and quality of life or (b) that the Forbes ranking methodology stinks? And by so doing demonstrate their own gullibility and unsavory tendency to engage in empty braggadocio. What a dilemma.

There do not appear to be major changes in the measure used by Forbes to determine livability.  They collect current unemployment rate, five-year income growth, crime rates, a cultural index, and cost of living from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Moody's, Sperling's art and leisure index, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  One thing that did change is the size of the sample.  In 2009, 379 metropolitan areas were evaluated.  This year the magazine used only the largest 200. 

Pittsburgh's Livability Measure Rankings,
2009 and 2010
2009
Top Third
(1-126)
Middle Third
(127-253)
Bottom Third
(254-379)
2010
Top Third (1-66)
Middle Third (67-133)
Bottom Third (134-200)
Income Growth


269
Income Growth
20


Cost of Living

147

Cost of Living
52


Culture
37


Culture
26


Crime
45


Crime
15


Unemployment Rate
48


Unemployment Rate

73


Pittsburgh has always received good marks on cultural attractions and overall crime rate, even though in the case of the former some of the venues are used by relatively few people and on the latter there are areas of high crime.  And in the 2009 and 2010 Forbes rankings those good marks are reflected: in 2009, Pittsburgh ranked 37th out of 379 on culture and 45th out of 379 on crime.  This year the rankings were 26th and 15th out of 200, respectively.  So it is fair to say that Pittsburgh was in the top third of the sample cases on both indicators.

The table above divides the sample cases from the last two years into thirds to show how shrinking the number of metros affected Pittsburgh on livability measures.  As pointed out, crime and culture stayed relatively the same, but income growth (measured by Forbes as the average of the last five years) shot up from 269th to 20th.  By the way, faster income growth means relatively faster or did not fall as much. It could be every area actually had negative growth, some more than others.

Instead of being behind 268 other metros on income growth Forbes is arguing that this year only 19 are greater.  Cost of living ranking for Pittsburgh likewise moved up and while the unemployment rate ranking fell from 48th to 73rd, Pittsburgh found itself with four rankings in the top third this year and none in the bottom third, unlike 2009.

A basic problem with the rankings is that a long term slow growth area such as the Pittsburgh region—where there has been no net gain in private sector jobs for ten years and had very slow growth prior to the recession—can weather downturns better because there was no construction boom to unwind and the industry mix has shifted very far away from goods production to service production. 

Another problem is that, to a large degree, livability is a subjective concept.  For some, being close to relatives and long time friends trumps everything except perhaps the complete inability to earn a decent income. For others with children, the schools will be very important. Then there are those who put great stock in culture and still others who enjoy the outdoors, great scenery and so on.
 
Then there are the aggravations of life that Forbes does not take into account sufficiently.  How about traffic problems, high property taxes, incompetent public officials, financial conditions of the core city, labor strife, poor street maintenance and inept snow removal?     

Still, however flawed the latest rankings are, City officials and boosters are quick to make a big deal of the ranking. And why not?  Forbes' report talks almost exclusively about the City, its universities and cultural offerings and how it is no longer a smoky city. Could someone tell these ranking writers that Pittsburgh has not been smoky for 20 years at least? It is past time for a new cliché.

Here's a question. Why have we not seen a gaggle of elected officials from around the metro area standing up to take a share of the credit and accolades? It is a metro wide honor, after all. 

And a final question. After all the ill conceived and much ballyhooed rankings over the years, does anyone (other than boosters and officials) put any credence in these rankings?



Jake Haulk, Ph.D., President                                                        Eric Montarti, Senior Policy Analyst




For updates and commentary on daily issues please visit our blog at alleghenyinstitute.org/blog.

If you have enjoyed reading this Policy Brief and would like to send it to a friend, please feel free to forward it to them.

For more information on this and other topics, please visit our web site: alleghenyinstitute.org

If you wish to support our efforts please consider becoming a donor to the Allegheny Institute.  The Allegheny Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible.  Please mail your contribution to: 

The Allegheny Institute
305 Mt. Lebanon Boulevard
Suite 208
Pittsburgh, PA  15234

Save Mellon Arena Petition

Sign a petition:
Save Mellon Arena
Petition
: "To: City Of Pittsburgh
We, the undersigned, request
that the Civic Arena (now known as Mellon Arena) be declared a historical
landmark."

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Fwd: Help Stop a Tax Increase in Pennsylvania!

From: Tom Schatz, President ccagw.org
The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste - Action Alert

We urgently need your help today to stop a tax increase in
Pennsylvania. Please tell Governor Ed Rendell and your state
senator and representative to cut wasteful and unnecessary spending
FIRST before enacting any new taxes.
http://membership.cagw.org/site/R?i=aq1TmdAl2p3fusz1iQ4z9g..
In order to eliminate a projected shortfall of at least $500 million
in the General Fund, Governor Rendell has proposed a $29 billion
budget for 2010-11 that increases business taxes, imposes new taxes on
natural gas and tobacco products, and expands the sales tax to include
many goods and services currently exempt.

With Pennsylvania, like the rest of the country, still facing one of
the toughest economies in decades, your state politicians should be
working to relieve the financial burden on cash-strapped families and
pursuing policies that encourage, rather than discourage, economic
activity and investment!

Pennsylvania already has the highest Corporate Net Income Tax rate in
the world, at 41.5 percent (when both federal and state taxes are
counted). As a result, the state ranks 45th in the nation in job
growth since 1990. The governor's proposal for combined
reporting of taxable income by corporations and their subsidiaries,
regardless of whether they have operations in Pennsylvania, will only
further burden businesses, discouraging local investment and driving
employers and jobs to other states.

One area of growth for the state economy has been the natural gas
industry, which had created an estimated 29,000 jobs by 2008 and is
projected to generate another 98,000 jobs in 2010. However, the
governor's proposed severance tax on natural gas companies
--which already pay Pennsylvania's Corporate Net Income Tax,
Capital Stock and Franchise Tax, leasing fees, and royalty payments --
would discourage further investment in this boom industry, reducing
in-state drilling activity by at least 30 percent, according to one
estimate.

While Governor Rendell's budget proposes reducing the Sales and
Use Tax rate from 6 to 4 percent, it would expand the tax to cover a
whole host of new goods and services, including advertising, truck
transportation, and business services, with the net effect that
Pennsylvanians would pay an estimated $531 million more in sales taxes
next fiscal year.

What's more, the governor's proposed taxes on smokeless
tobacco and cigars will not only hurt Pennsylvania's small
tobacco farmers, another growth industry, these taxes are also
unlikely to hit projected revenue targets. Of the 57 excise tax
increases that states implemented between 2003 and 2007, only 16 met
or exceeded revenue targets. As just one example, when New
Jersey increased its cigarette excise tax in 2006, instead of gaining
a projected $30 million in revenue, the state lost more than $22
million, as smokers moved to purchasecigarettes across state
lines, or through untaxed or lower-tax venues, such as Native American
territories and the Internet.

In addition, tobacco taxes are regressive, disproportionately
impacting the poor and those living on fixed incomes. With many
Pennsylvanians struggling to make ends meet, no taxpayer --
particularly not those most disadvantaged -- should be forced to hand
over more of his or her hard-earned money to the government!

Governor Rendell has proposed massive spending increases in each of his
budgets, usually requiring new or higher taxes, while state lawmakers
have consistently splurged in "good" years, making them
unprepared for economic downturns.

Citizens Against Government Waste's and The Commonwealth
Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives' 2006 Pennsylvania
Piglet Book identified $8 billion in potential savings over two years
from the elimination of inefficient, duplicative, and extravagant
spending -- more than enough to balance the budget. The
Pennsylvania Senate's newly approved bipartisan spending cuts
commission should adopt the Piglet Book's recommendations, and
Governor Rendell and your state legislators should follow the example
of households across the country in these tough economic times by
eliminating such wasteful and non-essential spending.

Tell Governor Rendell and your state senator and representative today
to forego raising any taxes and instead cut spending!
http://membership.cagw.org/site/R?i=cBL2Sj_tgyZ5SYwrMMDd0g..
Sincerely,
Thomas A. Schatz
President, The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) is the
lobbying arm of Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), the nation's

The CAGW is largest taxpayer watchdog organization with more than one million
members and supporters nationwide. CCAGW is a 501(c)(4)
nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that lobbies for legislation to
eliminate waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.
Contributions to CCAGW are not tax-deductible for federal income tax
purposes. For more information about CCAGW, visit
www.ccagw.org.http://membership.cagw.org/site/R?i=1Sa00tVqLVq4aIy_2ojiGA..
Make a contribution today to help CCAGW wage and win this battle
against higher taxes

http://membership.cagw.org/site/R?i=MgiLv7f3PTrRoB5fJuWdzQ..

Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district special election, 2010 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district special election, 2010 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


House race has 3rd hopeful » Local News » The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA: "JOHNSTOWN — By now, many voters have heard about Critz and Burns battling for the 12th Congressional District.

But what about Agoris?

That would be Demo Agoris, a Washington County Libertarian who will be the third candidate listed on the May 18 special-election ballot that will determine who fills the unexpired term of the late U.S. Rep. John Murtha.

Agoris knows he doesn’t have a big chance for success against Democrat Mark Critz and Republican Tim Burns. But he is trying to spread his message of “less government, more freedom and less taxes” as far as possible.

“I believe that it should be ‘power to the people,’ ” Agoris said."



CSPAN on tonight's debate (with interview with tonight's co-moderator) that should air Saturday at 8PM (according to one article)
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/293328-5
the debate itself will be posted here when it airs:
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/293340-1

The tribune-democrat also lists Demo here:
http://tribune-democrat.com/local/x1036627811/Special-election-hopefuls-will-square-off-tonight

Unfortunately, the LP is ignored here:
http://tribune-democrat.com/local/x1612548710/12th-district-candidates-forums-planned

We'll see how Demo does against the 2% projected here...people are pretty fed up with the status quo:
http://www.pa2010.com/2010/05/internal-poll-has-critz-up-by-8/

Wannstedt: Pitt to Big Ten "a lot of rumors"

Just this past year the PIAA put an extra week into the fall season for football.
Wannstedt: Pitt to Big Ten "a lot of rumors": "Wannstedt and Paterno talked to reporters Wednesday at the Lasch Football Building after meeting with the representatives from the Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Association's executive board. They both pledged their support for a plan to petition the PIAA to allow spring football practice in Pennsylvania.
I'm not so excited about more head crunching for young men. I bet another group that will be supporting the extension of high school football is the Ortho Docs.

Title IX talk on a message board

From Beijing 2008
A women posted on a public discussion board some keen insights.
It is a common misconception that NCAA football programs generate revenue for schools. In fact, a recent study by the NCAA reports that only about 20% of D1 programs operate in the black. The average net revenue lost is $10 million per school. So, how to justify supporting 85 scholarships for football programs?

This is the original wording of Title IX; how have we gotten to "sports dollars must reflect the proportion of men and women"?

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

I am a product of the original Title IX; I swam on a men's team in high school and played waterpolo on a men's team in college. There were no comparable women's teams, Title IX gave me the opportunity to compete. I was shut out from some activities; the organizers of the Empire State Games would not let me compete with my waterpolo team. They told me I could create my own team and find women to play against. Since there were not many women (in fact, I knew none) playing polo in New York in the 70s, I was relegated to the sidelines.

My support for Title IX does not extend to the current interpretation. By wiping out virtually all men's sports except football and basketball, it does not serve its intended purpose. Title IX was enacted to give those who wanted to be involved in a sport, the opportunity to play.

Pitt's "Race in America: Restructuring Inequality Conference" - June 3-6, 2010

The University of Pittsburgh's School of Social Work and its Center on Race and Social Problems will host this solution-focused national conference. Seven key areas will be explored during "Race in America":
  • economics,
  • education,
  • criminal justice,
  • race relations,
  • health,
  • mental health, and
  • families, youth, and the elderly.
There will be several evening events that are free to the public, as well as twenty sessions for registered conference participants. For more information or to register online, check out http://www.race.pitt.edu/.

Carnegie Library Community Planning Workshops

The Carnegie Libraries of Pittsburgh will be holding a series of community workshops over the next 6 months to discuss what can be done to ensure that Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh remains operationally and financially healthy. The "kick off" set of workshops will be held on May 15, 16, and 17. You may attend any or all of the workshops. Pre-registration is not required. For more information about the workshops, please visit http://www.carnegielibrary.org/future  or contact Maggie McFalls, at: feedback@carnegielibrary.org  or by phone at 412.622.8877.

I'm a pepper, you're a pepper, he's a pepper!

Penguins sign Dr. Pepper Snapple Group for Consol Energy Center - Pittsburgh Business Times:: "Penguins sign Dr. Pepper Snapple Group for Consol Energy Center"
Pittsburgh feels a little bit like Waco, Texas, today.

Nomination Papers for Libertarian Candidate(s) in PA.

It is time once again for our signature drive to get our candidates on the November Ballot! This year, the number of signatures required to get our statewide candidates on the ballot is 19,082, which is lower than it has been for many years. We hope to reach that goal with an all-volunteer effort, so we need everyone's help to gather signatures.
A great opportunity to gather signatures is if you can take advantage of some time during Primary Election Day on May 18. Primary Day is good because you know all of the voters going to the polls are registered voters and you know which district they live in. We will be collecting signatures through July. There is information below about how to get nomination papers, instructions for printing and filling them out, finding the distrct candidates for your area, and what to do when you are done below.

Getting our candidates on the ballot is important not only to get our message out and give voters choices that they would not have, but it allows us the opprortunity to maintain our party status with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Because of this status, we are able to participate in special elections that would otherwise be very difficult for our candidates to gain ballot access.

Last year we were able to have a candidate on the ballot in a statewide judicial race, which is the first time the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania has ever done so. It was the first time there had been any alternatative party candidate in a statewide judicial race in Pennsylvania since 1993. This year we have a candidate on the ballot in the special election to fill the Congressional seat of the late John Murtha. There have also been state legislative seats and local races open to us because of the party status.

If you have any questions about nomination papers or would like printed papers sent to you, please contact Susan of our Election Committee; susan.haythornthwaite@lppa.org or election@lppa.org, and she will see that you get what you need. If you would like to print the forms yourself there are instructions available here:
www.lppa.org/happenings/elections/2010-nomination-papers.html

The nomination paper itself, with the statewide candidate information is available here:
www.lppa.org/documents/election/2010/2010_nomination_paper.pdf

A basic overview of the signature gathering process and where to send the form when done is here:
www.lppa.org/documents/election/2010/nomination_paper_guide_2010.pdf

Candidate information for all candidates, including district candidates to add on nomination papers is included here:
www.lppa.org/happenings/elections/2010-candidates.html

To find which districts you live in or which areas are included in Congressional and state legislative election districts you can look at the last reapportionment plan here:
www.dos.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/reapportionment_plans/12728

Thank you for all of your efforts to support the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania!

Without your help, we would not be able to offer voters a real choice of greater individual liberty, personal responsibility, and limited government.

Sincerely,
Michael J. "Mik" Robertson
Chair, Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Fw: Analysis of Health Reform Act Shows Millions in Funding for Nonhealth-Related Organizations

From: "Greg Erickson, Community Health Funding Report." <offers@cdpublications.com>
While many believe that the billions in the recently passed Healthcare Reform Act are just for healthcare, one of the best kept secrets in Washington is that the legislation channels millions in funding to other areas of vital interest to other nonprofits, tribes and local governments. This includes, but is not limited to, funding for social services, senior programs, services for low-income families, funding for disabilities, and much more! The analysis, by staff with online grant news services Community Health Funding Report and Federal and Foundation Assistance Monitor, uncovered many opportunities in the 2500- page legislation that nonprofits that are not health related can pursue.


Here's an example of just one:

Reform Package Expands $50M Home Visitation Program -- The new healthcare reform laws include significant expansion of the $50 million Maternal, Infant & Early Childhood Home Visitation Grant Program which provides grants to states to improve in-home services for children in at-risk communities.

Rules for distributing these Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act  funds are being put together by the HHS  and Education departments. Expect an interim guidance to be issued soon.

******************************************
This is good news, but the key question is - -how can organizations tap this and other  infusions of federal funds? How can they get the edge on other grantseekers – and stay on top of deadlines, program changes and announcements? Plus, how can they get inside information that can increase one's chances for tapping new funding—especially when the legislation is so massive and complex?


For more details on the many nonhealth related funding opportunities in the legislation that nonprofits and local governments can tap, a special teleconference on “Finding and Winning Hidden Funding Opportunities in the New Health Reform Act” is being held Thursday, May 20, from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
The teleconference, sponsored by CD Publications' grants analysts Ray Sweeney and Frank Klimko, senior editors of Federal and Foundation Assistance Monitor and Children & Youth Funding Report, will guide listeners through the many grant possibilities in the legislation, with a unique, Washington insider's perspective on where the money is and how tap it.
**************************************************************
A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED AND  THERE ARE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SLOTS!  PLEASE ACT PROMPTLY TO ENSURE A SPACE AT THE TELECONFERENCE!
****************************************************************
And providing our panelists with extensive background and his own authoritative insights is Greg Erickson, lead grants researcher with Community Health Funding Report, a widely read and authoritative report on federal and private funding for public health for over 20 years!
Here is some of what you’ll learn in this fast-paced, info-packed overview:
  • How and where the Act's $3 billion in appropriations are being allocated for new and existing programs.
  • How to keep an eye on the funding flow to ensure you don't miss or overlook opportunities.
  • How to improve your odds for success by gaining access to an invaluable, proprietary grant deadline calendar -- one the feds will never tell you about – and much more!
To register or learn more about the conference, simply click on the following link: http://www.cdpublications.com/store/189   Or call us toll-free at 800-666-6380.  Registration is open until all lines are filled, but space is limited and on a first-come basis.

Fw: TJTT for Wednesday, May 5. (A Planning Meeting)

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®


From: "Henry A. Jackson" <henryajackson@comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 4 May 2010 17:26:36 -0400
To: Henry A Jackson<henryajackson@comcast.net>
Subject: TJTT for Wednesday, May 5. (A Planning Meeting)

 

THOMAS JEFFERSON THINK TANK
May 5, 2010

 

TJTT for Wednesday, May 5.

 

Those who choose will meet at Silvioni’s at around 7 PM for a discussion on the future plans over the next year or so for the TJTT.

 

What should we do for the monthly meeting?

Should we always have a speaker?

Should we emphasize or de-emphasize politics, Washington DC, Republican or Democrat or Libertarian or etc?

Is past History and peoples experiences valuable to share. Like: Vietnam War, WWII, Korea, The various Gulf wars, Iraq out of Kuwait, Iraq II, potential for Iran over nukes, Afghanistan, etc?

How are we to “Market” the monthly TJTT meetings?

As you know these email notices have been late as of late. Should our planning be two months in advance, so that today you know what next month’s meeting will be?

Should we publicize on social networking sites on the web? Get feedback on the same?

Is Thomas Jefferson still relevant in the days of Barack Obama?

Is Silvioni’s ok, or would you like a change? To where?

Given all the groups having many meetings weekly on various topics from guns to politics, is there still a place for the TJTT in this mix?

What topics would you like to hear dwelt with? Are we missing topics that you think are important? What would attract you?

Why do you come or not come on the first Wednesday of each month? Recently we have had low attendance. We must be doing something wrong.

Do you have any personal issues that if we changed would cause or allow you to attend more often?

These and other questions will be probed during this May meeting tomorrow.

Please feel free to hit reply and add to this discussion. I will take your ideas to the meeting with me.

 

And also feel free to reply and say REMOVE. Promptly it will be done.

 

Henry Jackson

 

 

 

We will meet on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 located at Silvioni’s.

Email list removal directions. Just reply and say remove.

You will promptly be taken off the TJTT list. Or send an email to henryjackson@iglide.net and let us know you want removed. Thanks.

 

 

Fw: Policy Brief: Candidates Spar Over Allegheny County Jobs: Who is Right?

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®


From: "Allegheny Institute" <aipp@alleghenyinstitute.org>
Date: Tue, 4 May 2010 09:46:06 -0400
To: <"Undisclosed-Recipient:;"><Invalid address>
Subject: Policy Brief: Candidates Spar Over Allegheny County Jobs: Who is Right?

Policy Brief

An electronic publication of

The Allegheny Institute for Public Policy

 

May 4, 2010                                                                                                     Volume 10, Number 23

 

Candidates Spar Over Allegheny County Jobs: Who is Right?

 

Two candidates vying for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination have questioned the accuracy of County Executive Onorato's campaign ads regarding claims of job creation and are suggesting they are misleading. Onorato's spokesperson fired back at the competitors in a Tribune Review news report saying, "At a time when the entire country is struggling, Allegheny County is performing better (in employment) than the state and the nation." And he went on to say, "it's performing better for a reason," giving credit to the Executive's efforts to attract economic development funding, balance the budget and hold the line on property taxes.

 

There are two big questions arising out of this confrontation and the spokesperson's explanation of the County's alleged superior performance. First, who has the better case regarding the County's jobs performance and second, are the spokesperson's reasons for claiming the County is performing better empty rhetoric? 

 

Let's review the facts. If we look only at the period from September 2008 to February 2010, the time frame for the worst part of the employment downturn, it is true that Allegheny County's unemployment rate has not risen as sharply as in the state and nation. In the County, the rate climbed from 5.0 percent in September 2008 to 8.2 percent in February 2010. Meanwhile, over the same period, Pennsylvania's rate rose from 5.6 to 8.9 percent and the nation's rate climbed from 6.2 to 9.7 percent, touching 10.1 percent in October 2009.

 

On the basis of these statistics, one could argue that the County has performed a little better than the state and nation in terms of the percentage point increase in unemployment rate during the worst of the recession. Similarly, the number of employed Allegheny County residents fell 3.2 percent over the period , while the number of U.S. jobholders slumped by 4.2 percent. Meantime, Pennsylvania's jobholder count dropped by 3.7 percent. 

 

And although it is correct to say Allegheny County is doing marginally better during the recession, it is important to bear in mind that the County had much weaker employment gains during the four and a half years leading up to the recession—beginning in first quarter 2004 when the current Chief Executive took office and ending in mid 2008 just as the full brunt of the recession was about to hit. Over that period, jobholders in the nation rose 5.4 percent while employed County residents climbed only 2.3 percent. 

 

Furthermore, the pre-recession growth in private non-farm payroll jobs as measured by the separate establishment survey showed vastly different percentage gains for the County and nation.  For the four years from third quarter 2004 to the third quarter 2008, the nation's payrolls rose by 4.2 percent compared to a very slender 0.4 percent pickup in Allegheny County. In short, the County's private sector jobs growth was anemic at best; certainly not something any politician would want to brag about.

The County's marginally better performance during the recession is traced to two principal factors. One, there was no housing boom and subsequent collapse resulting in huge losses of construction employment, although construction jobs have fallen considerably.  Second, the County's industry mix that has been decades in the making is a major explanation of the County's "better" performance during the latest recession. For example, in 2004 manufacturing jobs in Allegheny County represented only 7.2 percent of payroll employment. By contrast, in the nation, manufacturing accounted for 13 percent of private payroll jobs.  Thus a 10 percent decline in manufacturing jobs in both the County and nation will produce a far greater percentage decline in the overall job count in the nation than it will in the County.   

 

By the same token, in 2004 non-government education and health care accounted for 22.5 percent of establishment payroll jobs in Allegheny County and only 15.4 percent nationally. These two sectors are not only recession resistant but have shown an ability to grow even during the slowdown in the economy. It is reasonable to conclude that, given its much lower susceptibility to overall job losses during a recession, the County should be expected to perform better than the nation in terms of unemployment rates. This is especially true in light of the absence of a housing boom and mortgage crisis in the County to trigger a massive decline in construction and a sharp jump in foreclosures.

 

All told, there is not much credit to be assigned to County policies for the marginally better employment situation during the latest recession. However, County and state policies have a lot to do with the County's slow growth prior to the recession.  Very high property taxes for combined school, county and municipal levies, high corporate tax rates, burdensome labor regulations including prevailing wage requirements, a very low ranking for litigiousness, and over dependence on subsidies and top down management of development all act in concert to make Pennsylvania and Allegheny County unattractive to businesses who aren't receiving huge handouts—handouts necessitated by the litany of obstacles to earning a healthy return on investment.

 

Finally, in regards to the spokesperson's claim that the credit for the good jobs performance goes to the Executive for his policies and actions, it should be noted (1), that balancing the budget is a requirement of the County Charter and (2), that while the County's property taxes have not risen, many school districts and municipalities have continued to raise taxes and those amount to 80 percent or more of the average property tax bill and (3), the County has imposed an alcoholic drink and car rental tax.  It is also important to note that property owners who have been getting very favorable treatment by way of assessments that are substantially below market value will be in for a rude awakening as a result of the long delayed and court ordered reassessments the Executive fought so hard. That list could include many commercial properties.

 


Jake Haulk, Ph.D., President


For updates and commentary on daily issues please visit our blog at alleghenyinstitute.org/blog.

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Bill Gates was the bad one. Appleholes!

The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Appholes
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full EpisodesPolitical HumorTea Party

Russ Diamond Calls for Letter Writing Campaign to Judge about to sentence Mike Veon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reform activist and PACleanSweep founder Russ Diamond today called for a statewide letter writing campaign to the Honorable Richard A. Lewis, the Dauphin County Common Pleas judge scheduled to sentence former state Representative Mike Veon on June 18 for crimes he was convicted of committing while in office.

"Every Pennsylvanian offended by corruption in Harrisburg or concerned about the Commonwealth's future should pick up a pen and voice their opinion to Judge Lewis," Diamond said. "We cannot have a repeat of what happened in the Vince Fumo case."

Fumo, a former state Senator found guilty last year on 137 counts related to public corruption, received a mere 55 months in prison for his crimes. The sentence fell far short of the 11-14 years recommended by federal sentencing guidelines. U.S. District Judge Ronald Buckwalter received hundreds of letters from political figures and Fumo allies, including Governor Ed Rendell, asking for leniency prior to sentencing.

"I'm sure Mike Veon already has politicos writing favorable letters praising the alleged good deeds he performed with other peoples' money. That must be counterbalanced by letters from his victims, the taxpayers and voters of Pennsylvania," added Diamond.

Last week, Diamond mailed a letter to Lewis to underscore the "far more insidious and serious implications" of Veon's crimes for Pennsylvania.

"In conspiring to illegally subvert the electoral process with public funds, Mr. Veon knowingly and deliberately undermined one of the very cornerstones of a free society. This is especially injurious to the average citizen of this Commonwealth, for whom elections stand as the only practical and direct method of objecting to certain acts of government."

Diamond's letter closed by asking Lewis to consider the impact Veon's crimes have had on public confidence and noting that a strong message may help to improve confidence in Pennsylvania's judicial system, which itself has suffered a number of blows recently.

"I urge you to sentence Mr. Veon accordingly, taking into account not just the monetary figures associated with his crimes, but also the damage he has knowingly and deliberately inflicted upon the electoral process and public confidence in the government and elected servants of this Commonwealth.

"The nature of Mr. Veon's crimes calls for a stern response from another cornerstone of a free society: Justice. Although Justice has unfortunately been tarnished in Pennsylvania by allegations of deliberate injustice in another county, my hope is that your decision will serve to repair some of that damage as well."

Diamond urged all concerned citizens to be polite and thoughtful when writing to any public servant.

For more information: russ.diamond@comcast.net, 717.383.3025

Contact Judge Lewis:

The Honorable Richard A. Lewis

Dauphin County Courthouse

101 Market Street

Harrisburg, PA 17101
Fax: 717.780.6452

Monday, May 03, 2010

Tuesday May 4th, is the Day Against DRM

From: Defective by Design

Take Action: Tuesday May 4th, is the Day Against DRM

Today is about taking time out of your usual routine to speak out in favor of a DRM-free society. We do not have to accept a future where our interactions with computers and published works are monitored and controlled by corporations or governments.

http://www.defectivebydesign.org/dayagainstdrm2010

Sincerely,

Holmes and the DRM Elimination Team

Defective by Design http://defectivebydesign.org/ is a project of the Free Software Foundation -- Fifty One Franklin Street, Fifth Floor Boston, 02110

BP and its sponsorship of the Oil Olympics to keep flowing

From: SI com Alerts

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) -- The leader of the U.S. Olympic Committee sees no immediate change in the federation's multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with BP PLC in the aftermath of the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Read the full story at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/more/05/03/USOC.BP.sponsorship.ap/index.html

Women -- err -- girls soccer players from Iran may join Jr. World Games.

Iran's girls' soccer team back in Youth Olympics

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Iran's girls' soccer team may compete in this summer's inaugural Youth Olympics as long as its players swap their traditional head scarves for a cap that covers their hair.
Read the full story at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/more/05/03/Iran.girls.soccer.youth.olympics.ap/index.html

Invite

"cityLIVE! 28: What's Next for the Igloo?
May 17 New Hazlett Theater 6:30 P.M.
Many buildings of the Modern Movement have already been saved; the icons amongst these have even become so precious that they are treated like pieces of art rather than as buildings in everyday use. Can we craft such a future for the Civic Arena? Can the social, political and cultural baggage that comes with it be set aside? Who should decide on whether the igloo survives or not?"

Calling all community organizers. You need to be here.

Locals Online - E-Democracy.org: "Locals Online"

Requests for Election Accountability and Security to Allegheny County Board of Elections

Letter from voting guru and advocate of fair elections in the city, county and state, Richard King, Ph.D.
Dear Mr. Wolosik,

As you are aware, a volunteer audit found that about 40% the Allegheny County precincts in the 2008 presidential election contained discrepancies between the "Numbered List of Voters" and the number of "Total Ballots Cast" as recorded by the touchscreen voting machines in each precinct in Allegheny County. Since then, for each election, we have sought a summary listing of these discrepancies from your office, from the Board of Election, and/or from County Council.

At the last Board of Election meeting, At-Large Councilman, Chuck McCullough, requested that you meet in your office with me to come to some agreement regarding these requests. I have made two email requests of you to schedule a meeting which has yet to be scheduled. Please schedule this meeting before the May 18th election and please:

1) Arrange to provide the summary listing of the precinct discrepancies for the the May 18th, 2010 primary election and make the agreement to do so today. This will save us from the effort placing these requests before our county council and our BOE once again.

The information requested can easily be captured by listing the following for each precinct. This should be done in the canvass or review and reconciliation process which is scheduled to begin three days after the election. It will require minimal additional effort on the part of your office.

The summary of the precinct discrepancies should include:
a) "PRECINCT ID"
b) Total Number of Voters
c) "TOTAL BALLOTS CAST"
d) Discrepancy

Please have your office create this summary listing for each election and make it immediately available upon request to all interested parties, i.e., when the discrepancies are initially reviewed in your office so that the information is available for comment by the public at the next Board of Election meeting.

2) Additionally:

In November of 2008, public pressure requested software verification go hand in glove with the implementation of video security on our voting machines. Yes, video cameras were placed in the warehouse, but curiously they were not actually viewing the voting machines in the warehouse. This lack of surveillance of the voting machines pointedly breaches the intention of the security cameras. The purpose of the complete, direct and secure video surveillance of the voting machines from the time of the software verification process was to document that the voting software had not been tampered with once it was verified.

Meanwhile, workmen have been remodeling the warehouse space that the voting machines are stored and its been shown that replacing voting machine software with vote stealing software requires only two minutes of access to a voting machine.

Please, remedy this situation. Document that once the software in our our county's touchscreen voting machines has been verified, that it has not been tampered with in the warehouse. Place all of the the voting machines within the view of the video cameras.

Appreciatively,

Richard King, Ph.D. (phone number removed by blog administrator)
Voter Verified Paper Records with Routine Audits
http://www.pa-verifiedvoting.org/

Fw: Be a Fan of the PLAN!

Most of these "Master Plans" of the past were hardly worth the paper they were printed upon. Some plans even used paper so large it could not be put on a photo copy machine and sent to the citizens. That's the work of too many paid consultants, generally. Call them "Lesser Plans" and I would not be so haked off about what they contain and omit.

Be a fan of the plan means being a booster of the status quo politicians.


From: "Hanna, Dolores" <Dolores.Hanna@city.pittsburgh.pa.us>
Subject: FW: Be a Fan of the PLAN!

 Dear Interested Citizen: 

The City's first Comprehensive Plan, PLANPGH launched last week with the opening of our website (http://www.planpgh.com/) and with three public meetings to gather input on PRESERVEPGH -- the Cultural Heritage component to the Plan.  At these public meetings, we heard your comments and thoughts on all things Cultural Heritage: the positive, negative, and everything in-between. 

If you were not able to make it to one of the public meetings, it is not too late to make your voice heard! Please take 15 minutes to fill out the PRESERVEPGH survey so we can learn how you feel about cultural heritage: what buildings are important to you? what are the "issues" surrounding preservation? how do you envision the City in 20 years?

To fill out the Cultural Heritage survey, click here: PLANPGH Exchange button.png
You can access this link, and much more information, at the "Get Involved" section of our website.  Check it out, and come back often as we will be posting information about future public meetings and other surveys.  You can also follow our progress on Facebook and Twitter!



PLANPGH Email signature - FB PLANPGH Email signature - Tw



We rely upon you for your knowledge and expertise in this matter.  Who knows Pittsburgh better than its own citizens?

Thanks for your time, 



Katherine Molnar
Historic Preservation Planner
City of Pittsburgh
Department of City Planning
200 Ross St, 3rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Ph: 412.255.2243
Ph: 412.255.2243




PLANPGH Email signature

Sunday, May 02, 2010

Rob wrote on Facebook: Some general points in response to all the media attention on the future of the Civic Arena:

I think it is foolish for a renter to exit his or her apartment and demand that the landlord tear down the building just vacated. That would make no sense. Likewise, it makes no sense to listen to the Pens when it comes to the Civic Arena.

We should save the Civic Arena and NOT tear it down.

We win by addition. 1 + 1 = 2. We churn when we have 1 + 1 - 1 = 1. To grow the region, grow its assets. Be authentic.

Rob posted:
1. It will cost a minimum of $10 million to tear it down and prepare the immediate site. Your state and federal taxpayer dollars at work...Not the Pens. The Pens then buy the property for a couple of million and put in parking spaces that produce $200,000 a year in income. Guess how many years it might stay as parking? And who pays for the structured parking to come later? You guessed it, WE DO! Just like Southside Works and Bakery Square, TIFs, state/federal funding will be used. That is not bad if we are open and honest about HOW WELL it is done.

2. We the citizens of Western PA bought the building 50 years ago. WE own it. And in fact Edgar Kaufman, Henry Hillman and others kicked in millions in 1960 dollars. The Hill has a right to lead a planning process, but the issue of the arena is buried by political rhetoric from public officials. We are asking for a fair comparison; thus Reuse the Igloo has commissioned a study from an economic planner OUTSIDE of Pittsburgh.

3. Most old buildings are bought for below market value in order to incent reuse. See History Center, Pennsylvanian and Armstrong Cork. THEN a 20% historic tax credit is available for private rehab (see ARMSTRONG CORK). This must be done by the private sector and can put the land back on the tax rolls.

4. We have proposed a 5 year moratorium on demolition in order to explore and verify financial and market feasibility of our ideas. All we have to do is REPURPOSE part of the demo money to demolish the old seating bowl, to prepare it for use as an INCOME producing property ON the tax roles!

5. We are looking for a developer and it is hard when the "fix " is in. As an experienced Architect, I know that harder projects have been undertaken in this city when the naysayers said it cant be done: See Washington's Landing, Station Square. Since the Pens control the developments rights it is difficult if not impossible to develop a national RFP like has been done for the Garden Theater.

6. Post War modern Structures may be ugly to some, but people felt that same way in the early twentieth Century about Victorian design. No in the 1960's or even 70's one would be believe we took old buildings downtown and turned them into lofts. The Arena’s architectural value is well established, See our website to see the possibilities to create something of lasting beauty (while your at it take a look at how the new arena thumbs its nose that street and the Hill). It creates a far larger visual wall than the Igloo, which can be made “transparent” by opening it most of the time and creating a public pedestrian greenway right along the path of the old Wiley Avenue.

7. Historic Preservation is an economic development tool. Google went into the big old Nabisco Bakery in part because they know that they are good for business and employees love cool spaces and are more productive. They did the same in Brooklyn New York.

8. Think of the Arena with its moveable roof as the coolest community park, hotel, restaurants shops and recreational facilities.. Portland Oregon is doing just that with its old arena, after its mayor and the Trailblazers said they wanted it torn down for reasons similar to our public officials.

9. Want to see innovative reuse in action? Go to Montreal's Old Forum, the “Fenway of Hockey” and see its reuse as an inner city mall. Even better, go to NYC to see the Highline Project, a once derelict elevated freight line through the heart of Manhattans west side. A W hotel has been built OVER it because it so cool and attracting visitors and creating local jobs. WE can do the same with the IGLOO! The idea is NOT reuse at as a competing venue to the new arena; by removing the seating bowl and creating open space the arena can have immediate value and demonstrate the potential for full redevelopment.

10. And last but NOT LEAST: We need to have an honest dialogue about symbols and meaning in architecture: A building does not have to be a symbol of failure. It was the process and common view of the times, not the building that caused the failure. Lets not reinvent history but rather understand it and learn from it. All of us need to read Root Shock and Death & Life of Cities. Buildings as symbols and couriers of meaning can change over time and by reusing for anew positive use, it we change a symbolic meaning from failure to success. We believe that repurposing the igloo can change its meaning and open up memories, create connections and dialogue. The failures of Urban Renewal that should NOT be forgotten by future generations. How many Pens fans or casual visitors to the new arena will learn that history if we tear it down? Europe has learned this lesson. We have not. Many of us grew up watching many urban renewal failures here and around the country, driven by conflicting intentions (good and bad).

Lets open up a dialogue and reconcile not use shallow talking points and misinformation. The City Live event on May 17th will get beyond the political talking points. City Live has invited three historians to respond to and discuss the history and idea of reuse from three points of view: Social, Cultural, Architectural. May 17th at the New Hazlett Theater 6:30pm; Come join the dialogue! www.citylivepgh.org

Improv class on Wed nights being offered

If you have an interest in learning improv, we have a Scene Works Basics class that will begin in just a
couple weeks. To sign up or learn more, visit http://improvpittsburgh.com/classes.

Scene Work Basics: Through exercises and coached scene work, students will learn the skills needed to advance, expand and conclude improv scenes: including connecting with their partner, building solid
platforms, and raising the stakes. Scene structure will be introduced.
The basic fundamentals of improv – Yes and, listening, and agreement – will also be reinforced. (an introduction to theater improv or acting experience required)

WHEN: WEDNESDAYS 7-9 PM, MAY 12 - JULY 7
WHERE: PITTSBURGH DANCE ARTS (4740 Liberty Ave)
COST: $120. (if paid before 5/7/10). $160. after 5/7/10
INSTRUCTORS: Larry Phillis (Hustlebot, Cellar Dwellers) & David Fedor
(Hustlebot)

Spread the word!!

-Brian

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Saturday, May 01, 2010

School librarians losing jobs as city schools feel pinch

School librarians losing jobs as city schools feel pinch 'Research has shown a direct positive correlation between school libraries, learning and test scores. The fact that nine Pittsburgh Public Schools have no teacher-librarians to teach information literacy demonstrates both inequitable opportunities for students ... and a cause for concern for [school district] stakeholders,' states a 29-page memorandum compiled by the librarians.

Where is the 29 page memo? Can it be emailed to me, Mark@Rauterkus.com. I'll look in my in box.

Don't want to be identified! Come now. Librarians are huge in terms of keeping privacy -- as to what books have been checked out in the past, etc. Looking back, the crossing guards didn't want to be fired, but they pointed fingers, sorta. The pool matrons got axed, but with one swift blow -- and they're loss hurt swimming in physical education classes. They kept quiet and drifted away. But today, with librarians, I'm going to expect more content to be generated with author attribution. Librarians click to a different tune than pool matrons and crossing guards. But, the cover against blowback is real, especially when the cuts are gradual.

Tracy, a fellow parent that cares greatly, gets good ink in the article too. Yes!

That question she raises was part of the discussion a few months ago. It got puzzled looks from high level administators then. Same kind of looks and shrugs that was delivered when asked about the Sci-Tech School Library not having any books.

Open Source Summer Experience for Professors

Open Source Summer Experience - July 5 to 9th in California

Have you considered the benefits of teaching open source participation in the classroom?

More than teaching tools and technology, teaching open source is about giving students a chance to get hands on with real code in real situations. A chance to build skills and experiences that scale to fit the classroom.

Professors' Open Source Summer Experience, or POSSE, is a week long class taught by open source community experts from Red Hat and the Open Source Initiative, for those who teach higher education or advanced students in computer science/engineering and electrical engineering (CS, CE, EE.) In this class we teach the skills to be "productively lost" through participation in actual projects. These skills are transferable directly to teaching open source participation in the classroom.

http://teachingopensource.org/index.php/POSSE

We're offering the first California POSSE in Mountain View, 05 to 09 July. If you or someone you know is interested, read more here:

http://teachingopensource.org/index.php/POSSE_California_CS

POSSE itself is free; attendees pay their own travel, lodging, and expenses. To find out more or to apply, check out the program page and send in an application.

http://teachingopensource.org/index.php/POSSE_California_CS

If you have questions, our general Teaching Open Source mailing list is used for support, networking, and discussion amongst teaching colleagues and open source experts:

http://teachingopensource.org/mailman/listinfo/tos

You may also email posse@teachingopensource.org for more information.

name: Karsten 'quaid' Wade, Sr. Community Gardener
team: Red Hat Community Architecture
uri: http://TheOpenSourceWay.org/wiki
I wish that the new Pittsburgh Public School called Sci-Tech would be teaching Open Source. If they were, and they should, this would be a great place to send a person or two.