The proposed charter amendment that would have asked voters to eliminate the cap on the council’s budget will no longer appear on the ballot in November.
On Tuesday, Allegheny County Council voted to remove a proposed charter amendment that would have asked voters to eliminate a provision that limits the council’s operating budget from the November ballot.
The provision limits the budget to 0.4% of the county’s locally levied tax revenues.
In an 11 to 3 vote, the repeal measure passed. The repeal reverses a June 23 decision to place the referendum before voters.
The original proposal would have asked voters to repeal the county Home Rule Charter’s cap limiting the portion of the county’s locally levied tax revenue that can be used for the council’s operating budget. It was sponsored by Dan Grzybek (D-Bethel Park), Bob Palmosina (D-Pittsburgh), Jordan Botta (D-Bloomfield), Kathleen Madonna-Emmerling (D-Moon Township), Pat Catena (D-Carnegie) and at-large members Bethany Hallam and Alex Rose.
Grzybek, Hallem, and Catena all reversed course and joined legislation led by Councilwoman Suzanne Filiaggi (R-Franklin Park) to remove the question from the ballot.
Council President Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis (D-Plum) signed on as a sponsor of the repeal.
“I received, and I imagine that everyone up here has received, a lot of feedback from residents, friends, neighbors, from everyone. Some of it expressed concern – others expressed downright outrage,” Filiaggi said during Tuesday’s council meeting.
Many voters expressed concerns over the council maintaining fiscal responsibility.
“Eliminating limits on council’s own budget authority, even if not intended to produce immediate spending increases, risks sending the wrong message to the taxpayers we represent,” Filiaggi continued.
“Repeal should not be understood as retreat. It is an act of restraint, transparency, and accountability.”
Council members Rose, DeWitt Walton (D-Hill District) and Paul Klein (D-Pittsburgh) voted against the repeal on Tuesday.
“Any decisions about increasing our spending would have to be approved by all members of council. So just removing the cap doesn’t mean that you know we’re given license to go on the spending. We would still be armed with the same information that we have right now,” said Klein.
The second referendum question that asks voters to eliminate charter restrictions that keep council from receiving county-funded personal staff, district offices, and fringe benefits will still appear on the ballot in November.
