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Pennsylvania: City Council

November 3, 2009 - 10:23 pm
NEWS FEED: 2 Political Junkies

Just a reminder

By lupinaccim@aol.com (Maria)

Just a reminder that I have been told countless times on this and other blogs that abortion is just not an issue in mayoral politics.

However, today we have both re-elected an anti-choice mayor and found out that our city will have to now revise (lessen) its policy regarding bubble/buffer zones around women's clinics. Something that both City Council and the Mayor's Office will have to work on.

Hmmm...I guess, sadly, I was right and you were wrong.

I'm giving up on politics...

...at least for the rest of today. (My teevee will now be tuned to shows with happy and satisfying endings rather than election results.)
.

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October 18, 2009 - 08:26 am
NEWS FEED: 2 Political Junkies

Not With a Bang, But A Wimper

By dayvoe@gmail.com (Dayvoe)

The P-G endorses Mayor Luke.

After describing Luke's two opponents, the P-G praises by the process of elimination:

Both Dok Harris and Kevin Acklin are informed, committed Pittsburghers. While they could have an impact as City Council members, it's hard to argue that either has a shot at winning the mayor's office and the ability to take charge of the city's $453 million budget and 3,500 employees.

That leaves the incumbent, with whom we have had our differences. After three years as mayor, he has yet to articulate a vision for the future. He does not have a reputation for working with the state legislative delegation.

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There have been 4 comments posted in response to this story.

August 5, 2009 - 02:01 am
NEWS FEED: Philly.com

61/2-year sentence requested for ex-Council aide

The U.S. Attorney's Office wants a 61/2-year sentence for former City Council aide Christopher Wright, a punishment that would exceed former State Sen. Vincent Fumo's sentence by nearly two years.

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There have been 6 comments posted in response to this story.

July 14, 2009 - 10:12 pm
NEWS FEED: 2 Political Junkies

Five City Councilors Shirk Responsibilities and Rubber Stamp Mayor/Lamar

By lupinaccim@aol.com (Maria)


(Click graphic to view larger image)

Looks like I picked a bad day to watch the live Sotomayor hearings instead of the live City Council meeting.

[sigh]

Today, the majority of the City Council of Pittsburgh decided to deny the public the right to hear from nominees to the Planning Commission, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Historic Review Commission and the Shade Tree Commission.

Today, the majority of the City Council of Pittsburgh decided to deny the nominees the right to appear before the public.

Today, the majority of the City Council of Pittsburgh decided to themselves forgo interviewing twelve nominees for these boards.

Today, the majority of the City Council of Pittsburgh decided that "the mayor appoints and we approve.

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There have been 24 comments posted in response to this story.

June 30, 2009 - 07:23 am
NEWS FEED: 2 Political Junkies

Act 47: There's going to be a showdown

By lupinaccim@aol.com (Maria)

Pittsburgh City Council will likely vote on the Amended Act 47 Recovery Plan today.

Yesterday in an email blast, Councilor and Finance Chairman Bill Peduto wrote:
As of this moment, it is still unclear whether or not City Council will support the plan. The Act 47 coordinators have requested final action before July 1st, when collective bargaining begins for most of the city’s workforce. Tuesday is June 30th and the plan still lacks the five votes it needs.
He's quoted in today's Post-Gazette (posted at midnight) as saying:
The new fiscal plan for the city, under state Act 47 for distressed municipalities, "is far too important to vote down," said council Finance Chair William Peduto.

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There have been 40 comments posted in response to this story.

June 8, 2009 - 06:42 am
NEWS FEED: 2 Political Junkies

Keeping on Arlen's @ss

By lupinaccim@aol.com (Maria)

There are a few:

  • Labor

On Saturday, PA's newly Democratic Senator, Arlen Specter, was in town to address the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee but first he had to face Labor.

SEIU, PA AFL-CIO, the Allegheny County Labor Council, the Communication Workers of America, Local 13000 and others rallied for the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) before the committee meeting and Specter spoke to the union members. There's video of his speech below courtesy of a Daily Kos diary.

Specter said that he is "'committed to finding an answer' on legislation making it easier to organize unions" and "If you want to become elected in this state, you have to come to labor, and I know that.

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There have been 38 comments posted in response to this story.

May 21, 2009 - 05:45 am
NEWS FEED: 2 Political Junkies

Big Election Wrap-up

By lupinaccim@aol.com (Maria)
  • I think that we can all agree that City Council victories by Natalia Rudiak and Robert Daniel Lavelle do not bode well for Lil Mayor Luke or his coattails.

Change Lukey would rather not believe in:

  • Bram's interview with Matt Merriman-Preston, political consultant to Natalia Rudiak (& Chelsa Wagner & Bill Peduto), is definitely worth a look. (And, as I'm sure Matt knows by now Lil Mayor Luke did not break 60%.)
  • That Dastardly Dowd refuses to apologize to Pittsburgh's Favorite Grandson.

  • For the junkies who like to obsess over numbers, graphs and maps there's Allegheny County's web site, Chris Briem's last few posts at

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There have been 37 comments posted in response to this story.

May 15, 2009 - 09:56 am
NEWS FEED: GrassrootsPA

Philly Council refuses to confirm 3 Nutter appointments…

By GrassrootsPA

Philly Council refuses to confirm 3 Nutter appointments…
City budget advances toward approval…
6 City Council members back Williams for DA…
Philly voters face two Home Rule changes…
SRC chairman wants BRT jobs off school payroll…

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There have been 34 comments posted in response to this story.

May 15, 2009 - 09:37 am
NEWS FEED: 2 Political Junkies

Post-Gazette Slams Councilor Smith for False Flier

By lupinaccim@aol.com (Maria)

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette makes it clear that they did not endorse Theresa Smith in the race for Pittsburgh City Council District 2 -- they endorsed Georgia Blotzer -- twice.

They had to make it clear as Smith has been distributing completely misleading fliers to voters:
Campaign fliers being distributed by city Councilwoman Theresa Smith in her bid to be renominated in Tuesday's primary have left a bad taste in our mouths here on the Post-Gazette Editorial Board.

[snip]

Nonetheless, after voters chose Ms. Smith, we published a congratulatory message welcoming her to council and wishing her well in the tasks ahead. It is that editorial that Ms.

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There have been 37 comments posted in response to this story.

May 14, 2009 - 11:10 am
NEWS FEED: 2 Political Junkies

Pittsburgh City Councilor Theresa Smith's Deceptive Fliers

By lupinaccim@aol.com (Maria)

Bram at The Pittsburgh Comet has posted a flyer from Theresa Smith who is running in the primary election on Tuesday for City Council in District 2. He points out that the flyer makes it seem as though Smith won the endorsement of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The P-G endorsed Georgia Blotzer (both for the May 19th primary as well as in the shockingly low turnout February special election which Smith won):
Blotzer in District 2: She's the best council choice for the Democrats
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Active choice: Blotzer deserves a seat on City Council
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Moreover, Smith's flyer also

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There have been 36 comments posted in response to this story.