Open government = better government!

Introduction

2008:   The time has come for Open Government!

Do it now!


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ittsburgh is still in financial straits, its population is decreasing, and distressed areas of the city are declining faster than ever.   For decades, the city's elected oficials have subsidized one real estate speculation project after another.   This not only consumes limited city resources, but a favored mechanism for funding the subsidies, called "Tax Increment Financing," in turn shifts much of the payment for city services that are later used by the new properties onto the owners and tenants of older, existing properties.   Meanwhile, the City is emptying and demolishing more and more of the substantial older properties which, in many cases, could be restored and put back on the tax rolls.

The dollar figures alone which are involved as subsidies should be cause for alarm.   But more importantly, it is the basis for a process of investment musical chairs which accelerates the decline in the more distressed parts of the City, as the region's decreasing population can only occupy the new properties by leaving more existing properties vacant. The result is that not only individual structures but whole blocks are being razed to make way for and encourage even more subsidized real estate speculation.   Yet, while traditional neighborhoods continue to evaporate before our eyes, the City all too often continues to ignore residents' needs, listening instead to those whose hands are in our pockets.

Several years ago a PAT bus driver, who's now retired and left the area, succinctly summed it up:   "The problem is," she said, "they keep trying to make Pittsburgh what it ain't!"

At each step of the way, city residents have found out only after it's been too late.   Now, faced with the Mayor's concerted effort to eliminate the City government and dissolve it into the County, there is no more necessary time than the present to pass the Open Government Amendment to the Pittsburgh City Charter.   This could be our only remaining opportunity to demonstrate that the major reform this City and region need is more democracy in the form of proactive public involvement, enhanced citizen oversight, and greater accountability.   It is enough of a hurdle getting the number of signatures required to place a referendum question on the city ballot, with a referendum for the County needing 5 times as many signatures, it would be virtually impossible.

The remainder of this website gives a quick overview of the amendment with more on its background, along with the ballot question as it appears on the petitions; a section containing the complete text of the amendment; and an easy way to get involved.

It's organized as follows:


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