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Thursday, December 20, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Ron Paul - A Person of the Year for 2007 - from TIME
Ron Paul - Person of the Year 2007 - TIME Booed by Republicans for his isolationist foreign policy views and anathema to Democrats for his anti-government philosophy, the Texas congressman was proudly out of step with both political parties. But marching to his own drummer, the grandfatherly libertarian found himself leading an online parade. Millions of dollars poured into his quixotic presidential campaign, raising an inevitable question: What's next for this free-thinking and strangely compelling grassroots crusader?First, he is NOT an "isolationist." Rather, he is about NON-INTERVENTION. To isolate isn't his, nor my, pathway. Rather, free-travel, free-trade, free-markets, among free-people works best. I want to be friends with people from around the world. I went them to be my customers, suppliers and competitors too.
I want them to be free. And, I want to be free.
I don't want to impose MY WILL upon them. I don't want the USA military to invade foreign land. I want others from around the world to know us for reasons beyond our might, or from the other side of a gun.
City weighs UPMC trade-off
Coverage in the P-G from yesterday's actions.
The big story was that this "Pittsburgh Promise" was stopped -- for now.
City weighs UPMC trade-off Council delayed a vote on the resolution pending an as-yet-unscheduled public hearing that activist residents demanded.Figures, the P-G coverage gave me recycled electrons in the early edition that went online. By mid-day, my name had fallen off the story. By the next morning, when the printed paper gives ink to the story, the citizens are just a peep.
The big story was that this "Pittsburgh Promise" was stopped -- for now.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
WVU governing board supports administration in coach flap
Perhaps UPMC should read a lesson from the playbook at WVU.
UPMC made a donation to the Pittsburgh Promise. With that donation, they want to govern. UPMC feels entitled to dictate policy -- for city government.
Furthermore, UPMC wants one seat on the board that manages the Pittsburgh Promise trust fund.
WVU governing board supports administration in coach flap 'Making donations to a public university does not entitle anyone to dictate policy or personnel.'Jeepers. That was a hard lesson to deliver.
UPMC made a donation to the Pittsburgh Promise. With that donation, they want to govern. UPMC feels entitled to dictate policy -- for city government.
Furthermore, UPMC wants one seat on the board that manages the Pittsburgh Promise trust fund.
And on that farm there was Mr. Zober, e-i-e-i-oh!
Other inside baseball (and barnyard) thoughts:
When the cat is away, the mice will play. Humm. Seems that Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is out of town today. So, in the lobby of the 5th floor, both before and after the city council meeting when the UPMC tax credit associated with the Pittsburgh Promise was being milked -- Mr. Zober was there. When the discussion went before the camera, at council's table, the only one to speak for the administration was a guy who didn't even read the deal but was named in the legislation.
Schenley High School could still be saved. Bill Peduto had a meeting with Mr. Mark Roosevelt and a number of 'concerned parents' tonight. Bill spoke of this as he entered a public hearing on the North Side at the "old library" and the original Carnegie Music Hall.
Seems that there is a plan to tell the whole story of Schenley this time. Part one is how much it costs to fix up Schenley High School. But, there are three or more other parts to the full formula. Moving costs money. Where they want to move to costs money to fix up. And, it is inferior to what is already available at Schenley anyway. And, selling where they want to move to could be sold instead. That could make money and income for the future in taxes.
The reuse of Schenley High School would, I guess, go to Pitt. That makes for another tax exempt building. The sale price is one thing. But, can that sales price be shrunk based upon the Pittsburgh Promise donations from UPMC. (nevermind) However, if Pitt operated Schenley for the years to come -- that property would NOT generate new tax income for the city.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
Selling Reisenstein (ex-Middle School) as a commercial property, perhaps with town homes, next to a park, near tennis courts, near the Bakers Square development, could make real income for the city for generations to come.
What does Heather, the new chick (barnyard) or 'peep' say?
E-i-e-i-o! With a snort-snort-here and and a bark-bark there...
When the cat is away, the mice will play. Humm. Seems that Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is out of town today. So, in the lobby of the 5th floor, both before and after the city council meeting when the UPMC tax credit associated with the Pittsburgh Promise was being milked -- Mr. Zober was there. When the discussion went before the camera, at council's table, the only one to speak for the administration was a guy who didn't even read the deal but was named in the legislation.
Schenley High School could still be saved. Bill Peduto had a meeting with Mr. Mark Roosevelt and a number of 'concerned parents' tonight. Bill spoke of this as he entered a public hearing on the North Side at the "old library" and the original Carnegie Music Hall.
Seems that there is a plan to tell the whole story of Schenley this time. Part one is how much it costs to fix up Schenley High School. But, there are three or more other parts to the full formula. Moving costs money. Where they want to move to costs money to fix up. And, it is inferior to what is already available at Schenley anyway. And, selling where they want to move to could be sold instead. That could make money and income for the future in taxes.
The reuse of Schenley High School would, I guess, go to Pitt. That makes for another tax exempt building. The sale price is one thing. But, can that sales price be shrunk based upon the Pittsburgh Promise donations from UPMC. (nevermind) However, if Pitt operated Schenley for the years to come -- that property would NOT generate new tax income for the city.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
Selling Reisenstein (ex-Middle School) as a commercial property, perhaps with town homes, next to a park, near tennis courts, near the Bakers Square development, could make real income for the city for generations to come.
What does Heather, the new chick (barnyard) or 'peep' say?
E-i-e-i-o! With a snort-snort-here and and a bark-bark there...
Chinese pupils learning for Olympics - Tuesday December 18, 2007 5:33PM
These guys are motivated and with a focus.
What are the American children doing to prepare?
Chinese pupils learning for Olympics - Tuesday December 18, 2007 5:33PMThe students at Yangfangdian school are doing their homework for the Olympics.Wonder if they are getting ready to kick some tail in the games as well.
What are the American children doing to prepare?
Citizens question tax exemption for UPMC tuition gift
Citizens question tax exemption for UPMC tuition gift 'There's a lot of unanswered questions,' said Mark Rauterkus, a some-time candidate for city office who was involved in petitioning for the hearing. 'It doesn't smell right, and they did this in the last minute. We can have a public hearing in January and then get to the bottom of it.'"It is 'hard' to do the right thing Mr. Motznik. It is hard to turn things down, when without principle.
UPMC needs to better understand that the Pittsburgh Promise isn't a PILOT. Furthermore, we all understand that things change.
UPMC is flush with cash now. But, few know exactly what will happen in the years to come.
That 'insurance' is not lost upon UPMC. Laws change. Conditions change. Markets change. However, that change and uncertainty is what is going to kill the overall concept of the Pittsburgh Promise.
Families are not going to move to Pittsburgh, nor stay, based upon a half-baked promise where the major donor is given exit at a blink of the eye.
Families don't like being yanked around. People are skeptical. Rightly so. Hence, when it smells bad, people will vote with their feet. They'll leave. They'll continue to leave.
The motivation of the Pittsburgh Promise, like a carrot on a string, is fleeting.
The statement from Judge Cindrick from UPMC is perfect: This is NOT about the money. The success or failure of this program hinges upon other factors -- not the cash.
Factors like trust, honesty, devotion, and 'doing one's homework' are important.
How about -- (joke) -- the Pgh Promise goes as long as there is Malpractice Reform
How about malpractice reform in PA?
Let's tie that to the Pgh Promise too.
Let's tie that to the Pgh Promise too.
Discussion about the Pittsburgh Promise in today's council meeting
Live Blogging:
At the table:
ex-Judge Cindrich, UPMC.
Ira Weiss, PPS Solicitor.
George Specter, city attorney.
Highly inappropriate to discuss this bill, said Peduto. City gov has never given a tax deduction or tax credit for a contribution. This isn't done all the time.
A decision by three executives.
UPMC and UPMC alone, by virtue of its size and power, gets a right. I can not ever support a special right to an individual, nonprofit, or corporation. Don't ask the Pgh Taxpayers to provide a tax credit for it.
We have no such deductions in city government.
"My phone is ringing off the hook about the disgust about the backroom deal that has been done," said Peduto.
I have no questions. I am very disappointed.
Len Boadack, lame duck:
There is a whole lot on my mind. Happy with the Pgh Promise. But nobody saw the strings that were attached. Now we see the strings. Federal tax deductions are fine. But we represent the residents of the city.
His kids go to Catholic schools. Every child in the city should benefit. Seems that if Len had the tax break for his kids he'd vote for it. He'd live with it. The small segment of the population.
Jim Motznik:
Let's UPMC talk.
UPMC:
We shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Story: Uncle Pete wants to give money to Charlie, nephew. One condition. Don't ask for it again.
The only condition that UPMC is asked for, we will give $100 M. Please don't ask us to give it twice. If there is a change in the law.
Lawrenceville was blighted, so says UPMC.
Nonprofits don't have stockholders.
Jim Motznik:
He is thankful. He thinks it will benefit the city. He thinks it will attract families and keep families to the city. Jim's buddies left the city. Jim stayed. The schools were the ultimate decision. The schools in BP, USC, Mt. Lebo are better. This gives the poor people in the city a chance. It puts second thoughts in the mind of young families.
Jim is glad to see the criteria for the Promise. He read em.
Jim's son is in first grade at Carmault. Marvelous school. He is learning about periods. It is a great thing. Jim is not crazy about the high schools that are in Pittsburgh today.
"What are we going to do with Jack?" We are not "holy rollers." We care about his safety. He thinks the school system will get better and better over the years.
Jim's 18-year old daughter, now at CCAC, went to Catholic Schools. Jim has no answer for the others about the "catholic promise" or the "private school promise." It is the responsibility of the school system to do that same thing.
Jim not in agreement with Peduto. Jim asked: Are we changing the tax structure at all?
Specter: The agreement is to protect UPMC in the event that in the future that if these gifts also get a tax -- then the amount of money to the Pgh Promise is reduced. The city is not required to grant a tax credit to UPMC, under this bill.
It may well be that the city may not have a choice or the power to grant a tax credit. Then UPMC would reduce the gift to the foundation for the Pgh Promise.
Doug Shields: Not sure if the city solicitor is at the table for the administration or not. This goes to the heart of the "uniformity clause" of the PA Constitution. The fundamental issue here is how one nonprofit gives another nonprofit money -- so why does the city come into play.
Specter: We don't know if there will be a change in the law. What I meant by the possible illegality, how, when, why, etc. If the city is to tax UPMC, it may not have the power to give a tax credit to UPMC. Then UPMC would reduce in corresponding amount.
Doug Shields: Blah, blah, blah about a bill in the old days when the city was broke. What if a .055 payroll tax comes? How would there be a legal authority to exempt UPMC?
Specter: That's my point. We don't know.
If and when taxation comes to UPMC, the tax credit could not occur. Then UPMC would
Len: Why do we need to have the city come to help UPMC renig on the Pittsburgh Promise.
Bill Peduto: The Pgh Promise is not the city of Pittsburgh. UPMC is confusing the subject. We are here to say if any organization should be given a tax credit for a charitable contribution. This is not a PILOT program. This is a very big situation.
Why is there nobody here from the Mayor's office?
UPMC dude: You've gotten to the crux of the issue. Who is the city of Pittsburgh? We are not at an interesting position.
UPMC gives $1.5M to the city. Are we making an impact? We felt not.
The visionary opportunity here. :/
Why in the hell are they talking and not just sending this to a public hearing?????
Doug Shields: You (UPMC) are buying an insurance policy. You bring up an agreement from the 1990s? There were plenty of bad agreement in the past.
Did you read the depositions? We give them a wallet biopsy? We check their wallet for an insurance call.
Hey Charlie....
Let's not forget where you are at.
And what do you do when they don't have insurance? They put them back into the ambulance and send them to St. Francis. ???
UPMC then gave in and came on to give PILOTs. Then UPMC then went to the state politicians.
Back to the point that Mr. Specter brought up. This might not be even legal.
Doug Shields: Where is this agreement? Why is it not on the table. Not interested in buying a pig in a poke nor a Trojan horse.
You as the solicitor, I assume you have read the agreement.
Specter: I have NOT.
This guy has not even read the blasted agreement. But, the solicitor is within the legislation, directly.
Where is the agreement? When was it hatched?
Specter: The agreement isn't finalized.
Shields: Who is negotiating the agreement? Who? Who is in charge? When did it begin?
Specter: I assume....
When did the negotiations to this side agreement begin? And, if this is not done today, is the gift removed?
Specter: This is a work in progress. Then the solicitor steps in.
Shields: I'm trying to find out what you know. The solicitor's office was not involved. You are not aware of who negotiated. I'm here to ask the questions that are being asked of me. The public has yet to hear an answer on specific points.
The school board needs to provide the same agreement to UPMC.
Quote from PG: If the school board says "no" -- then there is no agreement. The Pittsburgh Promise needs to have the two side agreements. You gotta go 2 for 2 here. Both the school board and the city of Pittsburgh.
Both agreements are needed to put this in place. They are covering all their bases.
Ira Weiss thinks that this gift would exceed any tax. Well, a .055 on a payroll tax was once proposed. Given a $4B payroll tax, then that would net $20-Million. Over 10 years that is $200-M.
Shields would be happy to take the $200-M and put $100 of it into the Pittsburgh Promise and call it the Pittsburgh Guarantee.
Doug: This is aobut process. This is a total disregard to the people. Who knew? Were there any administration briefings as this was going on.
Any good attorney would cover all the bases -- but who is covering the basis of the city's finances? Who is looking at the other options? Has the solictor's office caluclated what a .055 payroll tax would be?
Doug Shields: I might vote for this next year. I might vote for this next month? We are going to be out of session in one more meeting. Heck, nobody even thought to pass a note to the city's citizens on December 5. YOU ALL OWE an appology to the city.
Shields: It is wrong to bring it forward today. It was made behind closed doors.
Tonya Payne: In light of all the questions that have surfaced, and in light of the petition, and the language.
I'm going to motion to hold for one week.
If we need to have a public hearing, we can ask for that.
At 12:27 they are getting to the matter.
Tonya Payne: If the citizens have a legitimate petition, then we are going to hear from the citizens.
Peduto seems scared about the way the administration has handled. There is something going on. Nobody is sitting in the chair. Peduto wants it to be voted on next year. He doesn't want to leave the door open.
Point of order from Len: There isn't enough time. For the record, Len is okay with a public hearing.
Doug Shields: It is obvious that they are going to have the signatures.
YES!
Public hearing will be held. YES!
Jim Motznik: I'd like to ask UPMC and solicitors if the public hearing would be okay.
UPMC: I respect the council and the concerns about the process. No, I do not think that we'll pull the promise. It is important to us, as UPMC has finite resources.
The hearing will be televised. Thanks.
Now Darlene Harris is not sure if the donation is a donation. She isn't able to get a grip on the promise and its side agreements. Why wasn't this on television?
UPMC: The purpose was to energize the public. We tried to inspire the public. We wanted to show them the potential of the promise.
The PFT made a donation of $10,000. Ira Weiss forgot about that.
UPMC says the superintendent rushed them. He was on the line. They were rushed up to Dec. 4. There are 3,000 seniors this year. This years class is to take advantage of this year's class.
Darlene says: They don't graduate until June.
UPMC: When this fails in other places, it isn't for a lack of money. The Pgh Foundation is the other agreement. If it is okay with them (Pgh Foundation), it is okay with me (UPMC).
Some things about administration of funds.
UPMC gets one board member out of the seven.
Len Boadack should get an invite to speak at the public hearing -- as a citizen. Len, come on down. Don't be a stranger. Len wants to change the language in the agreement.
Peduto: There is a lot of miss-trust with the way this has been handled, even in the last 24 hours by the administration.
Done at 12:50. They were at the table for about 90 minutes. They got some insights out into the public light. But, this could have been done in 4 or 5 minutes.
At the table:
ex-Judge Cindrich, UPMC.
Ira Weiss, PPS Solicitor.
George Specter, city attorney.
Highly inappropriate to discuss this bill, said Peduto. City gov has never given a tax deduction or tax credit for a contribution. This isn't done all the time.
A decision by three executives.
UPMC and UPMC alone, by virtue of its size and power, gets a right. I can not ever support a special right to an individual, nonprofit, or corporation. Don't ask the Pgh Taxpayers to provide a tax credit for it.
We have no such deductions in city government.
"My phone is ringing off the hook about the disgust about the backroom deal that has been done," said Peduto.
I have no questions. I am very disappointed.
Len Boadack, lame duck:
There is a whole lot on my mind. Happy with the Pgh Promise. But nobody saw the strings that were attached. Now we see the strings. Federal tax deductions are fine. But we represent the residents of the city.
His kids go to Catholic schools. Every child in the city should benefit. Seems that if Len had the tax break for his kids he'd vote for it. He'd live with it. The small segment of the population.
Jim Motznik:
Let's UPMC talk.
UPMC:
We shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Story: Uncle Pete wants to give money to Charlie, nephew. One condition. Don't ask for it again.
The only condition that UPMC is asked for, we will give $100 M. Please don't ask us to give it twice. If there is a change in the law.
Lawrenceville was blighted, so says UPMC.
Nonprofits don't have stockholders.
Jim Motznik:
He is thankful. He thinks it will benefit the city. He thinks it will attract families and keep families to the city. Jim's buddies left the city. Jim stayed. The schools were the ultimate decision. The schools in BP, USC, Mt. Lebo are better. This gives the poor people in the city a chance. It puts second thoughts in the mind of young families.
Jim is glad to see the criteria for the Promise. He read em.
Jim's son is in first grade at Carmault. Marvelous school. He is learning about periods. It is a great thing. Jim is not crazy about the high schools that are in Pittsburgh today.
"What are we going to do with Jack?" We are not "holy rollers." We care about his safety. He thinks the school system will get better and better over the years.
Jim's 18-year old daughter, now at CCAC, went to Catholic Schools. Jim has no answer for the others about the "catholic promise" or the "private school promise." It is the responsibility of the school system to do that same thing.
Jim not in agreement with Peduto. Jim asked: Are we changing the tax structure at all?
Specter: The agreement is to protect UPMC in the event that in the future that if these gifts also get a tax -- then the amount of money to the Pgh Promise is reduced. The city is not required to grant a tax credit to UPMC, under this bill.
It may well be that the city may not have a choice or the power to grant a tax credit. Then UPMC would reduce the gift to the foundation for the Pgh Promise.
Doug Shields: Not sure if the city solicitor is at the table for the administration or not. This goes to the heart of the "uniformity clause" of the PA Constitution. The fundamental issue here is how one nonprofit gives another nonprofit money -- so why does the city come into play.
Specter: We don't know if there will be a change in the law. What I meant by the possible illegality, how, when, why, etc. If the city is to tax UPMC, it may not have the power to give a tax credit to UPMC. Then UPMC would reduce in corresponding amount.
Doug Shields: Blah, blah, blah about a bill in the old days when the city was broke. What if a .055 payroll tax comes? How would there be a legal authority to exempt UPMC?
Specter: That's my point. We don't know.
If and when taxation comes to UPMC, the tax credit could not occur. Then UPMC would
Len: Why do we need to have the city come to help UPMC renig on the Pittsburgh Promise.
Bill Peduto: The Pgh Promise is not the city of Pittsburgh. UPMC is confusing the subject. We are here to say if any organization should be given a tax credit for a charitable contribution. This is not a PILOT program. This is a very big situation.
Why is there nobody here from the Mayor's office?
UPMC dude: You've gotten to the crux of the issue. Who is the city of Pittsburgh? We are not at an interesting position.
UPMC gives $1.5M to the city. Are we making an impact? We felt not.
The visionary opportunity here. :/
Why in the hell are they talking and not just sending this to a public hearing?????
Doug Shields: You (UPMC) are buying an insurance policy. You bring up an agreement from the 1990s? There were plenty of bad agreement in the past.
Did you read the depositions? We give them a wallet biopsy? We check their wallet for an insurance call.
Hey Charlie....
Let's not forget where you are at.
And what do you do when they don't have insurance? They put them back into the ambulance and send them to St. Francis. ???
UPMC then gave in and came on to give PILOTs. Then UPMC then went to the state politicians.
Back to the point that Mr. Specter brought up. This might not be even legal.
Doug Shields: Where is this agreement? Why is it not on the table. Not interested in buying a pig in a poke nor a Trojan horse.
You as the solicitor, I assume you have read the agreement.
Specter: I have NOT.
This guy has not even read the blasted agreement. But, the solicitor is within the legislation, directly.
Where is the agreement? When was it hatched?
Specter: The agreement isn't finalized.
Shields: Who is negotiating the agreement? Who? Who is in charge? When did it begin?
Specter: I assume....
When did the negotiations to this side agreement begin? And, if this is not done today, is the gift removed?
Specter: This is a work in progress. Then the solicitor steps in.
Shields: I'm trying to find out what you know. The solicitor's office was not involved. You are not aware of who negotiated. I'm here to ask the questions that are being asked of me. The public has yet to hear an answer on specific points.
The school board needs to provide the same agreement to UPMC.
Quote from PG: If the school board says "no" -- then there is no agreement. The Pittsburgh Promise needs to have the two side agreements. You gotta go 2 for 2 here. Both the school board and the city of Pittsburgh.
Both agreements are needed to put this in place. They are covering all their bases.
Ira Weiss thinks that this gift would exceed any tax. Well, a .055 on a payroll tax was once proposed. Given a $4B payroll tax, then that would net $20-Million. Over 10 years that is $200-M.
Shields would be happy to take the $200-M and put $100 of it into the Pittsburgh Promise and call it the Pittsburgh Guarantee.
Doug: This is aobut process. This is a total disregard to the people. Who knew? Were there any administration briefings as this was going on.
Any good attorney would cover all the bases -- but who is covering the basis of the city's finances? Who is looking at the other options? Has the solictor's office caluclated what a .055 payroll tax would be?
Doug Shields: I might vote for this next year. I might vote for this next month? We are going to be out of session in one more meeting. Heck, nobody even thought to pass a note to the city's citizens on December 5. YOU ALL OWE an appology to the city.
Shields: It is wrong to bring it forward today. It was made behind closed doors.
Tonya Payne: In light of all the questions that have surfaced, and in light of the petition, and the language.
I'm going to motion to hold for one week.
If we need to have a public hearing, we can ask for that.
At 12:27 they are getting to the matter.
Tonya Payne: If the citizens have a legitimate petition, then we are going to hear from the citizens.
Peduto seems scared about the way the administration has handled. There is something going on. Nobody is sitting in the chair. Peduto wants it to be voted on next year. He doesn't want to leave the door open.
Point of order from Len: There isn't enough time. For the record, Len is okay with a public hearing.
Doug Shields: It is obvious that they are going to have the signatures.
YES!
Public hearing will be held. YES!
Jim Motznik: I'd like to ask UPMC and solicitors if the public hearing would be okay.
UPMC: I respect the council and the concerns about the process. No, I do not think that we'll pull the promise. It is important to us, as UPMC has finite resources.
The hearing will be televised. Thanks.
Now Darlene Harris is not sure if the donation is a donation. She isn't able to get a grip on the promise and its side agreements. Why wasn't this on television?
UPMC: The purpose was to energize the public. We tried to inspire the public. We wanted to show them the potential of the promise.
The PFT made a donation of $10,000. Ira Weiss forgot about that.
UPMC says the superintendent rushed them. He was on the line. They were rushed up to Dec. 4. There are 3,000 seniors this year. This years class is to take advantage of this year's class.
Darlene says: They don't graduate until June.
UPMC: When this fails in other places, it isn't for a lack of money. The Pgh Foundation is the other agreement. If it is okay with them (Pgh Foundation), it is okay with me (UPMC).
Some things about administration of funds.
UPMC gets one board member out of the seven.
Len Boadack should get an invite to speak at the public hearing -- as a citizen. Len, come on down. Don't be a stranger. Len wants to change the language in the agreement.
Peduto: There is a lot of miss-trust with the way this has been handled, even in the last 24 hours by the administration.
Done at 12:50. They were at the table for about 90 minutes. They got some insights out into the public light. But, this could have been done in 4 or 5 minutes.
The necessary signatures are into the city clerk to call for public hearing on the Pgh Promise tax credit quickie
Ho, ho, wooooooo.....
The necessary 25 signatures are already before the city clerk. This is in advance of the 10 am meeting.
Well done.
More news later.
This has got to go to a public hearing for early 2008.
The necessary 25 signatures are already before the city clerk. This is in advance of the 10 am meeting.
Well done.
More news later.
This has got to go to a public hearing for early 2008.
Monday, December 17, 2007
City Council Asked To Give UPMC 'Pittsburgh Promise' Tax Credits - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh
Ravenstahl Wants City Council To Give UPMC 'Pittsburgh Promise' Tax Credits - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh: UPMC has issued a statement saying the side agreement is an 'essential condition' of its agreement to contribute up to $100 million to the Pittsburgh Promise.Where is this statement?
Oh my gosh. Something stinks.
Let's rumble at a public hearing in January. This can't go down like they want.
The public has the opportunity to speak for 3-minutes at the start of the meeting. I'm one of the 'regulars.' I go every other week now. We talk. They listen. Much like school board.
But after we talk, they go on with the meeting. Everyone is invited.
As new "laws" (legislation) get introduced at one meeting, that was today for this new wrinkle on the Pgh Promise, the public is provided with a three day period to file a petition to call for a public hearing. Then city council generally gets to talk first about new laws at its standing committee -- tomorrow. This got fast tracked. Final vote would be Dec 27, I think.
Then the session ends for the year. Three new members arrive in early Jan.
Perhaps it is time to talk about "lame ducks." These lame ducks should do NOTHING.
Talk about Schenley and high school reform too.
Meetings are to start at 10 am. Generally they are late -- say 10:15. Expect 4 to 10 people to speak for 2-3 minutes. Just go to the podium / microphone when you want in that period. No sign up needed.
We need to get 25 signatures on a petition and that needs to go in within 3 days of the bill being introduced. That calls for a public hearing. We might need to talk tough as they'll hate to hold a public hearing. But, we're in the right.
If we make a lot of buzz tonight, tomorrow, ASAP -- then that might be a brush back and they'll set up a public hearing for January.
City's 2008 Budget
The city's budget is now passed.
They'll be installing new cameras all around town, to spy on citizens. Bad. Let's peer on public officials and mind the public funds first.
Demolition finds are being increased. Bad. Let's repair and maintain our historic treasures -- not tear them down.
The city has a "Pay as you go capital budget." Bad. Capital budgets are for long-term investments. Capital budgets need planning and discipline. Pittsburgh has neither. Sadly, that concept is a victory for them as they used to have NO capital budget. They have to pay as they go as they can't pay what they should to maintain, to repair, to paint, to fix, to halt decay.
The long term outlook for the city's budget comes without a plan for keeping the city's financial head above the rising red ink in future years. Bad. This council approved tax breaks for a new hotel complex in Baker's Square. They fund development deals as they come, even if they promise to exclude union workers from the jobs after these places open.
Pittsburgh is going from hand to mouth with more employees than ever. This city budget has a line item for a trust fund for the Ethics Hearing Board -- a group that endears NO TRUST from me.
They want to celebrate the passing of the budget. In the big view -- the 2008 budget is simply just another nail in the coffin of a once great American city.
They'll be installing new cameras all around town, to spy on citizens. Bad. Let's peer on public officials and mind the public funds first.
Demolition finds are being increased. Bad. Let's repair and maintain our historic treasures -- not tear them down.
The city has a "Pay as you go capital budget." Bad. Capital budgets are for long-term investments. Capital budgets need planning and discipline. Pittsburgh has neither. Sadly, that concept is a victory for them as they used to have NO capital budget. They have to pay as they go as they can't pay what they should to maintain, to repair, to paint, to fix, to halt decay.
The long term outlook for the city's budget comes without a plan for keeping the city's financial head above the rising red ink in future years. Bad. This council approved tax breaks for a new hotel complex in Baker's Square. They fund development deals as they come, even if they promise to exclude union workers from the jobs after these places open.
Pittsburgh is going from hand to mouth with more employees than ever. This city budget has a line item for a trust fund for the Ethics Hearing Board -- a group that endears NO TRUST from me.
They want to celebrate the passing of the budget. In the big view -- the 2008 budget is simply just another nail in the coffin of a once great American city.
Pittsburgh Organizing Group plans protest for Dec 20 -- Rain on Luke's parade
Pittsburgh Organizing Group: "Ravenstahl is Rotten, They All Must Go!"
MindMapPedia mindmap
MindMapPedia mindmap:
MindMapPedia is a worldwide library of mind maps, created by people like you, who are eager to share their work with others. First introduced in the 1960s by author and researcher Tony Buzan, these maps are a visual—and highly practical—way of representing knowledge. Today, people from all over the world, in all professions, are discovering the value of using mind maps to unlock creativity, generate new ideas, solve problems, and formulate plans. Business professionals, scientists, artists, students, teachers, and countless others use mind maps to uncover new knowledge, gain self-awareness, plan, strategize, write books, and even to increase their income.
UPMC wants tax credits on the donations to the Pittsburgh Promise
They are trying to pull a fast one!
What the heck. Heads up!
The Pittsburgh Promise is making waves. And the city administration (Mayor Luke Ravenstahl) is pushing to get a bill to the table and rush it along.
OKAY to rush include: Motzink, Boadack, Deasey, Koch, Harris and Payne.
Peduto and Shields voted no.
We need a petition from the citizens of Pittsburgh to call for a public hearing on this bill.
This is inside baseball. But, here at the end of the year, there is a meeting in City Council today (Monday). At this meeting, that is generally scheduled on Tuesdays, comes the introduction of new bills. Today's new bills included one about UPMC and the Pittsburgh Promise.
It seems that UPMC and the city want to give extra 'tax credits' to UPMC for the money it donates to the Pittsburgh Promise. This smells bad.
Furthermore, city council members -- with the exception of Bill Peduto and Doug Shields -- pushed to waive rule eight. Humm... That means that the bill will be able to be up for discussion tomorrow, not next week.
Generally, a bill gets put out to the public and there is a week before it comes up for a preliminary vote. When the council votes to waive the traditional roles of council, the preliminary vote can occur within 24 hours.
When a bill gets introduced to city council, the citizens have three days to call a public hearing on the bill. The public hearing helps to put more examination and attention on the bill. The public hearing is the best way to get public input for the bill.
The next meeting of city council is at 10 am on Tuesday. That is the standing committee. Those meetings are generally held on Wednesdays.
The last meeting of the year, and with these eight members of city council, is slated for December 27. That's when the final vote on all bills needs to occur. Otherwise, the year ends. New bills need to be re-introduced.
Next year there are three new members of city council to come to the table.
The Pittsburgh Promise tax credit for UPMC needs attention. It can be resolved next year after we know what's what and have a full discussion.
What the heck. Heads up!
The Pittsburgh Promise is making waves. And the city administration (Mayor Luke Ravenstahl) is pushing to get a bill to the table and rush it along.
OKAY to rush include: Motzink, Boadack, Deasey, Koch, Harris and Payne.
Peduto and Shields voted no.
We need a petition from the citizens of Pittsburgh to call for a public hearing on this bill.
This is inside baseball. But, here at the end of the year, there is a meeting in City Council today (Monday). At this meeting, that is generally scheduled on Tuesdays, comes the introduction of new bills. Today's new bills included one about UPMC and the Pittsburgh Promise.
It seems that UPMC and the city want to give extra 'tax credits' to UPMC for the money it donates to the Pittsburgh Promise. This smells bad.
Furthermore, city council members -- with the exception of Bill Peduto and Doug Shields -- pushed to waive rule eight. Humm... That means that the bill will be able to be up for discussion tomorrow, not next week.
Generally, a bill gets put out to the public and there is a week before it comes up for a preliminary vote. When the council votes to waive the traditional roles of council, the preliminary vote can occur within 24 hours.
When a bill gets introduced to city council, the citizens have three days to call a public hearing on the bill. The public hearing helps to put more examination and attention on the bill. The public hearing is the best way to get public input for the bill.
The next meeting of city council is at 10 am on Tuesday. That is the standing committee. Those meetings are generally held on Wednesdays.
The last meeting of the year, and with these eight members of city council, is slated for December 27. That's when the final vote on all bills needs to occur. Otherwise, the year ends. New bills need to be re-introduced.
Next year there are three new members of city council to come to the table.
The Pittsburgh Promise tax credit for UPMC needs attention. It can be resolved next year after we know what's what and have a full discussion.
Allegheny Library dot org
New site:
http://www.AlleghenyLibrary.org
Pittsburgh City Council should work to insure that the historic library on the North Side stays in Allegheny Commons, in the square.
http://www.AlleghenyLibrary.org
Pittsburgh City Council should work to insure that the historic library on the North Side stays in Allegheny Commons, in the square.
Our 2007 Christmas Letter is about to hit the mailbox
Rauterkus Family
108 South 12th Street, Pittsburgh, PA, USA 15203
Dear Family and Friends:
We hope this letter finds you happy and healthy and reflecting on a great 2007 while looking forward to more growth in 2008.
This year began with time, visits and energy devoted to the Maine/Boston area as we said goodbye to Catherine’s father. Two memorials celebrated Grandpa's life. Later in 2007, we celebrated the other end of life's spectrum a birth and baptism. Our sons have 15 cousins now.
We lived in Christchurch, New Zealand throughout May and early June. Words and pictures can barely describe the beauty and our excitement for New Zealand. Catherine taught (assisted by two Pitt graduate students) at the University of Canterbury. I got to coach "full time" for the Wharenui Swim Team (pronounced "fair –a –new–ee"). Erik and Grant swam and competed for this team. We rode bikes everywhere, saw penguins walking on the beach, and enjoyed multiple Lord of the Rings Tours! Visit http://picasaweb.google.com/mark.rauterkus for some pictures of the NZ trip.
This was a massive year for home renovations. The roof and entire 3rd floor room and deck was taken off and replaced while we were in New Zealand. Catherine’s Mom was 'project manager' and her overseeing this project from across the street was a huge help. The new third floor gives us a “Great Room” to match our view that overlooks Pittsburgh's skyline. The whole house (siding, some interior walls, flooring, kitchen, lights, paint) has got attention. Uncle Bob and cousin AJ were wonderful to help with insulation and office area floors. Come by and visit with us, and get a tour this old house. Catherine’s Mom had us at her house for a month of meals as the kitchen and dining room were being recreated.
Politically, we worked hard to build "opposition" and insure few would get elected without opposition. Libertarians with various running mates, (myself in two ballot positions) built teamwork. My goal was to give voters a choice and to create an atmosphere that would demand debates with discussion of issues. All in all, many goals were largely met, including the netting of 7,000 votes within a frugal budget.
It was fund to help organize and celebrate: 30th reunion of the Penn Hills High School, three weeks water polo camp, a July 4 biathlon (5K run + 1K swim); local swimming (of course) and more personal fitness for myself as we are now members at the JCC (with a health club).
Both of our boys are in the double digits: Erik, 13; and Grant, 10. Both doing well with great schools, great friends, swimming fast, and home in newly renovated bedrooms! On Saturdays the boys take their violins to Xtreme Strings to play rock, jazz and fiddle tunes with some electric and improv. Both love it.
Our very best wishes to you and yours in 2008!
Mark, Catherine, Erik and Grant
Thirty minute video, in two parts, slated for IOWA, now that the tea-party has put wind (major gusts) into the sails of freedom
part 1:
part 2:Paul’s Haul, Redux
For the second time this quarter, a supporter-organized “money bomb” has helped Ron Paul break the single-day online fundraising record, this time raising more than $6 million in one day (the first effort, on November 5th, raised more than $4.2 million online in a day). Led by Paul supporter Trevor Lyman and timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, Ron Paul’s Tea Party ‘07 marshaled supporters to contribute to what the Politico’s Kenneth P. Vogel called “arguably the largest single-day fundraising haul in U.S. political history.”
Ron Paul Graphs, the site that’s tapped into the Paul campaign’s own fundraising data to produce dozens of graphs and charts, produced an impressive donation arc that shows donations kicking into high gear around 8am ET yesterday, and tailing off at midnight. “Dan B.,” the supporter who runs the site, puts the final online number at $6,043,022.96, from 59,170 donors.
The Washington Post’s Jose Antonio Vargas points out that Paul is the only candidate this year, Democratic or Republican, “to increase his fundraising haul with every quarter, raising $640,000 in the first quarter, $2.4 million in the second, $5.1 million in the third.” He’s raised an astonishing $18 million this quarter, more than tripling last quarter’s haul and beating out his campaign’s goal of $12 million by Dec. 31.
Meanwhile, all we’ve been talking about is money. But the haul is a representative of a massive voter-generated movement. Some supporters have quit their jobs, moved to New Hampshire, blogged, made videos, and obsessed about data. PBS’s NOW produced a good piece about Paul and his zealous supporters, including Tea Party organizer Trebor Lyman. It includes a part of an interview with techPresident’s Zephyr Teachout, the full text of which was posted last week.
Update from Ron Paul:
December 17, 2007
What a day! I am humbled and inspired, grateful and thrilled for this vast outpouring of support.
On just one day, in honor of the 234th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, the new American revolutionaries brought in $6.04 million, another one-day record. The average donation was $102; we had 58,407 individual contributors, of whom an astounding 24,915 were first-time donors. And it was an entirely voluntary, self-organized, decentralized, independent effort on the internet. Must be the "spammers" I keep hearing about!
The establishment is baffled and worried, and well they should be. They keep asking me who runs our internet fundraising and controls our volunteers. To these top-down central planners, a spontaneous order like our movement is science-fiction. But you and I know it's real: as real as the American people's yearning for freedom, peace, and prosperity, as real as all the men and women who have sacrificed for our ideals, in the past and today.
And how neat to see celebrations all across the world, with Tea Parties from France to New Zealand. This is how we can spread the ideals of our country, through voluntary emulation, not bombs and bribes. Of course, there were hundreds in America.
As I dropped in on a cheering, laughing crowd of about 600 near my home in Freeport, Texas, I noted that they call us "angry." Well, we are the happiest, most optimistic "angry" movement ever, and the most diverse. What unites us is a love of liberty, and a determination to fix what is wrong with our country, from the Fed to the IRS, from warfare to welfare. But otherwise we are a big tent.
Said the local newspaper (http://www.thefacts.com/story.lasso?ewcd=36475b4d132fc0a1 ): "The elderly sat with teens barely old enough to vote. The faces were black, Hispanic, Asian and white. There was no fear in their voices as they spoke boldly with each other about the way the country should be. Held close like a deeply held secret, Paul has brought them out of the disconnect they feel between what they know to be true and where the country has been led."
Thanks also to the 500 or so who braved the blizzard in Boston to go to Faneuil Hall. My son Rand told me what a great time he had with you.
A few mornings ago on LewRockwell.com, I saw a YouTube of a 14-year-old boy that summed up our whole movement for me. This well-spoken young man, who could have passed in knowledge for a college graduate, told how he heard our ideas being denounced. So he decided to Google. He read some of my speeches, and thought, these make sense. Then he studied US foreign policy of recent years, and came to the conclusion that we are right. So he persuaded his father to drop Rudy Giuliani and join our movement.
All over America, all over the world, we are inspiring real change. With the wars and the spying, the spending and the taxing, the inflation and the credit crisis, our ideas have never been more needed. Please help me spread them https://www.ronpaul2008.com/donate in all 50 states. Victory for liberty! That is our goal, and nothing less.
Sincerely,
Ron
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Tea Party -- sure to leave other R candidates with a hangover, again
To minimize traffic on RonPaul2008.com, please monitor the Tea PartyThese concepts of freedom have legs. America still cares! Politics matters to many.
progress on one of these sites:
http://paulcash.slact.net/?save_the_republic=true
http://ronpaulgraphs.com/
Go Ron Paul!
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