Sunday, March 24, 2013
Or does it act more as a business? And what about the other major nonprofits in the area?
In a June 2012 "Taxpayer Alert," Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner questioned the fairness of nonprofits that have expanded their roles beyond the traditional definition of a charitable organization, but still maintain tax-exempt status. "In these challenging financial times, it is our duty and responsibility to address the questions raised by a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling and determine if properties are used for a truly charitable purpose," Wagner said in the report. "While exemptions are justified for clearly charitable organizations such as churches, soup kitchens and many others, some are plainly unfair." A 2012 state Supreme Court decision has given local governments a tool to challenge the loopholes in a five-…
Thursday, December 6, 2012
The county's tax rate will be 4.73 mills in 2013.
Allegheny County Council passed a 2013 budget that includes a millage rate decrease. On Tuesday, county officials approved a a $799.4 million budget, reducing the millage rate to 4.73 mills, according to the Tribune Review. The millage was reduced from 2012's rate of 5.69 mills to offset the increase property values stemming from the county's reassessment. Under the reassessment, taxing bodies can't receive more than 5 percent in property tax revenue so as not to use the reassessment as a major tax increase. Under the new tax rate, a resident would pay $473 for every $100,000 of assessed property value. County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said in a statement that he is happy with the approved budget. "(I) am glad that we are able to move into…
Thursday, September 13, 2012
A local group plans to present petitions on Thursday in downtown Pittsburgh calling on Allegheny County election officials not to enforce the new voter ID law this November.
Opponents of Pennsylvania's new voter ID will make their case Thursday before the state Supreme Court. There's no timeframe for a ruling from the court—but the Nov. 6 General Election is fast approaching. Oct. 9 is the last day to register to vote. The Supreme Court is composed of three Republican and three Democratic justices (a seventh judge was suspended while she faces criminal charges). A 3-3 tie would affirm the decision of the lower court, according to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report. Commonwealth Court upheld the law in August. Supporters say the law will prevent voter fraud and imposes the same photo ID standard required in many common circumstances. Challengers say the law is designed to disenfranchise poor and elderly voters …
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
State Sen. Fontana offers help to those who need assistance with appeals, and wants statewide system before more reassessments are made.
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Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Last week, under a court order, Allegheny County’s Office of Property Assessments mailed new property tax values to property owners in the city of Pittsburgh and Mt. Oliver. Allowing court-ordered reassessments to occur while neighboring counties have gone 30 to 40 years without a reassessment is unfair, burdensome and bad policy. When the General Assembly reconvenes later this month in Harrisburg, I will again be calling on Senate leadership to move Senate Bill 1280 (SB 1280) for a vote. The bill provides for a temporary moratorium on all court-ordered reassessments until such time that the General Assembly acts to create a uniform, statewide system. Property owners who received notice from the County’s Office of Property Assessments and …
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
County Executive-elect Rich Fitzgerald says the increase is needed to support social services during difficult economic times.
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Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Allegheny County Executive-elect Rich Fitzgerald has applauded county council members for their "courageous vote" Tuesday to raise county taxes 1 mill for 2012. According to a story in the Dec. 7 Post-Gazette, council divided 11-4 along party lines to approve the $784 million operating budget and the tax hike to pay for it. All Democrats voted for the budget and tax bills and all Republicans voted against them. "I know that it was a difficult decision, but I stand with many leaders of our community in commending the members for recognizing that increasing the millage was something that had to be done," Fitzgerald said in a press release. "With Council’s vote, services to the disabled, children and elderly in our community will continue to…
Monday, November 7, 2011
Before you go to the polls Tuesday, you can check out who is running for local, county and state offices right here.
It's decision time—and there are many to make at the state, county and local levels in the general election on Tuesday. As long as you are registered, you can vote tomorrow. If you don’t know where to vote, click here. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. DORMONT COUNCIL The hottest local election is for Dormont Council, where seven candidates are vying for three open four-year terms. Running as Republicans are current Dormont Council President Kimberly Lusardi and newcomers James Hodson and Robert Hutchinson. Democratic candidates are incumbent Councilman John Maggio and newcomers Yvonne Costanzo and Valerie Martino. Incumbent Democrat Drew Lehman, a current councilman, is running as a write-in candidate. KEYSTONE OAKS SCHOOL BOARD Seven …
Friday, October 21, 2011
County executive candidates address business leaders on economic development.
Allegheny County Executive candidates D. Raja and Rich Fitzgerald today spoke before Moon-area business leaders, fielding questions on future development of the Pittsburgh International Airport region. Both candidates touted the benefits of Marcellus shale drilling on land surrounding the airport during the breakfast forum at the Pittsburgh Airport Holiday Inn. With little more than two weeks remaining before November's general election, they also took advantage of the forum to criticize each another's platforms and performance. “I was hoping when I entered the race that it would be about policy,” said Raja, a Republican business owner from Mt. Lebanon. “Unfortunately, [the election] turned out to be a non-discussion of policy.” …
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7:36 am on Thursday, May 9, 2013
Those with employer provided healthcare do not always have a choice. more ›