Mayor submits budget with (phony) tax hike

PG coverage.

Expect Mayor Tom Murphy to use MONOPOLY money next. Then he can build "hotels" and "houses" out of green and red plastic.

"Let me be clear, I absolutely do not support this [property tax] provision, and I will not implement such an unfair increase on our residents and businesses," Murphy said in a prepared statement.

Murphy won't implement what he proposes. He should not propose it then.

What's phony isn't the budget. Rather, it is our mayor, the city's administration and our city's leadership. The phony Mayor is often out-paced by city council. Council should have held its own budget hearings already. Other cities have had legislative branches that have already completed the "budget process."

Releasing the annual operating budget this early is something new for the cash-strapped city, which is on track to run out of money in mid-December.

But, it isn't too early for Pittsburgh this year. And, other cities have completed their budget process already.

Lieberman called "NO PUBLIC SERVANT."

City Council President, Gene Ricciardi, ranted and asked Bill Lieberman to resign from the ICA (Oversight Board). In 14 years in governement, Gene has never asked anyone to resign.

Gene, I'm glad to have you on my side, finally. I asked for Lieberman's resignation in mid July, 2004.

Leaders need to lead. Gene should ask for Tom Murphy's resignation. Murphy is another road-block to recovery. We can all dream, but, as multiple resignations occur, we'd have a real trend. The sweeping tide might roll right over those on city council too.