Pittsburgh Council balks at Promise qualifier - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Not only are the P-G editorial folks wrong with what happened -- so is the news reporter who works with the Tribune Review, J.B.

City Council had no choice. City Council did not "refuse" anything. City Council had to do what it did. City Council needed to call for a public hearing -- and that is what happened.

It was the citizens who refused to let the side-line deal with the city and UPMC pass concerning the Pittsburgh Promise. The refusal was our, the citizens. Refusal was NOT a good description of what council wanted to do.

Had city council had its way, the deal for tax credits would have passed. Folks on council are still trying to rush the public hearing. They'd love to play the refusal role -- by refusing to allow the citizens to exercise rights to demand public hearings.

The desire to study the resolution is not that of council. Rather it is of the citizens.

A women, citizen, parent, spoke to council on Tuesday. She demanded a full discussion and public hearing. And, she has a child in the 12th grade of Pgh Public Schools. She has the most at risk. The first tuition payment for he soon to be college freshmen would be expected in a few months. However, she wants accountability. She wants to have an open process. She wants to live in an honest city. She wants what is best for the region -- greater than her own self interest of getting a $5,000 check in eight months.

Pittsburgh Council balks at Promise qualifier - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pittsburgh City Council refused to be rushed into granting UPMC potential tax credits Tuesday despite political pressure from Mayor Luke Ravenstahl to reward the hospital giant for jump-starting a scholarship program for city school graduates.

No, no, no -- the P-G editors got it wrong about Pgh Promise

No, no, no. The P-G did NOT get it right in their editorial.

Hasty promise: Council must do right by UPMC's pledge Time out, everyone. That was the welcome call Tuesday from City Council to stop the runaway train that followed UPMC's pledge of up to $100 million to the Pittsburgh Promise, a scholarship program for city high school graduates.

The call for a "time out" came from the citizens. We shouted it in council chambers. The council would have been quick to rush to action had the citizens not called for the public hearing. The majority of the members of council, were willing to jump onto that runaway train.

They all botched the communication on this. It started in early 2007 when the first hint of the promise came with a $10,000 check from the PFT (Teachers Union). That was scripted by Mark Roosevelt. The thing died then and there.

SabrinaSpiher.com: A Media Empire

SabrinaSpiher.com: A Media Empire: "And even sillier for them to threaten to renege on this 'donation' unless we just do what they say and guarantee that they'll never have to pay taxes no matter what.

Make a bid. Burgh to host NRA. How about the OpenOffice.org event?

News says that the NRA is going to return to Pittsburgh.

Well, I'd love to see a bid go in for OpenOffice.Org's annual event.

OpenOffice.org Annual Conference 2008 - Call for Location

Would your team like to rise the challenge? Full details of the Call For Location process are available on the website http://marketing.openoffice.org/ooocon2008/cfl.html There is also a conference organisers' mailing list with open discussions.

http://www.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?list=announce&msgNo=345

Working with open source software is sure to help thousands of people, as well as schools and government.

Blowback: Why they hate us. From Dan Sullivan

Dan Sullivan, Pittsburgh, fellow Libertarian, wrote on another email list, reposted below:

This attempts to explain why Muslims hate Americans so much that they would be willing to strap bombs onto children or kill themselves in suicide attacks. Those who insist that this is some irrational, unprovoked, religious jihad should look at how many of them and their children have suffered terrible, protracted deaths due to US foreign policy.

This is not about GW Bush. Even though he has done terrible things to Americans and has completely botched the second undeclared Iraq War, the hatred of America's intervention was already established by our previous foreign policies that attempted to subjugate these people to control their oil.

Probably the best recruiting tool Osama Bin Laden ever had was this clip of Clinton's Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, saying that half a million Iraqis dying due to our embargo of Hussein was "worth it." Here is a very short clip.

http://qurl.com/nzzd3

Yes, Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator. But those who make that argument ignore the fact that Hussein was already a brutal murderer when we helped him overthrow the Qassim government, and a brutal mass murderer who was getting "weapons of mass destruction,"
including nerve gas and biological weapons, from the United States.

This slideshow, made to the sound of Bing Crosby singing "Thanks for the Memories," lasts 4 1/4 minutes.

http://www.bushflash.com/thanks.html

Yes, Saddam killed hundreds of thousands of Iranians and Kurds, but he did so, not only with our acquiescence and approval, but with our resources. The reason we figured he still had anthrax-causing bacteria was that we had sent it to him to use on Iran.

Why did we help him make war on Iran? Because the Iranian people had overthrown their own brutal dictator, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (the Shah of Iran), whom we had installed in 1953 after we overthrew the democratically elected President Mossadech.

The Shah's denial that he engaged in torture now echoes in our own similar denials. This clip is one minute and 20 seconds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8u2UKWCHtM&feature=related

Our imperialist brutality has existed under many of our regimes. The following Bill Moyers Journal episode focuses on Reagan, because it was made in the wake of the Iran Contra Scandal. However, its historical background implicates every President since Truman, with the exception of Jimmy Carter.

This documentary, made by liberal journalist Bill Moyers over two decades ago, said exactly what Ron Paul is saying about the dangers of ignoring the Constitution, and said it very, very well. And the excuses made for trashing the Constitution then are very much like the excuses being made today. This 86-minute video is EXCELLENT!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3505348655137118430

In looking at all of these videos, I keep thinking of the people in other countries where we did these things, and asking Ron Paul's question, "How would we feel if some foreign power did things like this to us?" How many of our own children would have to die at the hands of these brutal murderers before we become desperate enough to want one of those children to take a bunch of foreign imperialists down with him?

-ds

Hoops in MSG -- Overtime

Pitt played D and Duke missed two shots to get the game into overtime.

Ouch. That outside keen folded badly. #31 is feeling it.

Navy game is on delay. The Pitt & Navy connection...

Just as Big Ben was getting sacked in another knee bending, jerky way -- Pitt hit a 3-point shot. Duke missed two more at the other end at the buzzer.

Wow. Blair gets the 5-star player of the game from ESPN.

Isn't it great that you can watch an online movie (Thanks Google Video) such as this, from one citizen about a candidate

Updated in December:



Older version:

Twelve Days

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.

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.

WVU governing board supports administration in coach flap

Perhaps UPMC should read a lesson from the playbook at WVU.

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...

Chinese pupils learning for Olympics - Tuesday December 18, 2007 5:33PM

These guys are motivated and with a focus.

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.

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.

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.

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 regular city council meeting for Wednesday is Tuesday this week. A standing committee session is slated to begin at 10 am, 5th floor, city-county building. Look for the Christmas Tree.

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.

Pittsburgh Organizing Group plans protest for Dec 20 -- Rain on Luke's parade

Pittsburgh Organizing Group: "Ravenstahl is Rotten, They All Must Go!"