Clippings from December 21st - January 5th
Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.
- www.carmenformayor.com is now live - Luke's competition is now online.
- City councilman’s stolen car recovered - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Pittsburgh police on Sunday recovered the stolen vehicle of Pittsburgh City Councilman Doug Shields of Squirrel Hill.
The vehicle, which was reported stolen from a Home Depot parking lot in East Liberty at about 6:30 p.m. Friday, was found unoccupied yesterday afternoon in Lincoln-Lemington, Sgt. Steve Vinansky said. An officer on patrol spotted the stolen vehicle.
- Dems choose Westwood woman for council race - Theresa Smith of Westwood is the Democratic Party's official candidate in the Feb. 3 special election in Pittsburgh City Council District 2.
Progress Pittsburgh PAC Inauguration Party! (01/20/09 @ 5:30)
P2PAC is back! In 2009, we are here to stay. We’re going to make a difference in local races and we need your help!
To kick off the year right, we’re having a party. It just so happens that the third Tuesday in January is Inauguration Day- the perfect day for us to build momentum for local change in 2009. Please join us to celebrate a new day for the US of A with Obama’s inauguration, and prepare for a better Pittsburgh.
Who: YOU!
What: Inauguration Celebration and P2PAC Fundraiser ($10 contribution requested)
Where: New Amsterdam (4421 Butler Street, Lawrenceville)
When: 01/20/09 @ 5:30 p.m.
Why: because Obama rocks and Pittsburgh deserves better
We will have beer specials and free food!
P2PAC is a political action committee that supports candidates whose districts touch the City of Pittsburgh and whose agendas are consistent with its mission: good government, sustainable development, and social equity. P2PAC endorses candidates who meet these criteria and provides resources to advance their leadership. We see leadership as the primary vehicle for positive change in service of our mission.
We are ready to see change in local government and hope that you are too! Please join us!
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=71d79ae4-a150-4267-8882-3aa4447e7353)
Clippings from December 18th - December 19th
Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.
- The Hot Sheet » Blog Archive » What’s hot in the streets for 2009? - There’s so many things to do, so little time: what should the PA League prioritize in 2009? Well, we’re asking our supporters for their input!
- Free Wheels: The Scraper Bike Movement Rolls On - Interesting look at a bike program for youth in Oakland, CA.
- Keeping it in the driveway - Brian O'Neill article on Brookings Institute study on driving.
When I asked about the Mon-Fayette Expressway, that billion-dollar-plus toll road that ends well south of Pittsburgh, he called it "a great example of a roadway project we may need to rethink."
Clippings from December 17th - December 18th
Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.
- Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Columbus snooze on infrastructure wish list (From GLUE newsletter) - Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Columbus snooze on infrastructure wish list: The administration-elect has made revitalization of our nation's crumbling infrastructure a priority, and nowhere is that needed more than in the older industrial cities of the Great Lakes mega-region. Yet, as of yesterday, these three cities have failed to publicize their infrastructure wish-lists, falling behind hundreds of municipalities throughout the country. It's time our local leaders woke up and realized that federal aid isn't just going to land in their laps.
- Judge Flaherty injured in Downtown pedestrian accident - "I was more than half way across the street. So the car kept coming. I thought it was someone I knew, maybe jagging around,"
- Twitter / Carmen4MayorPgh - Carmen Robinson is on twitter.
Clippings from December 3rd - December 11th
Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.
- Steel-City Stonewall Democrats | Facebook - The Steel City Stonewall Democrats are now on Facebook.
- League of Women Voters Indiana County Candidate Workshop - Sat. Jan 31, 2009 - learn about running for office
- Westwood woman announces candidacy for City Council seat - Theresa Smith of Westwood announced her candidacy for Pittsburgh City Council yesterday, seeking the seat vacated Monday by Dan Deasy, who won election to the state House.
Bill Peduto Re-Election Campaign Kickoff Reception Fundraiser
Well we have had a nice, little break from the Presidential campaign season. But it looks like the Pittsburgh 2009 campaigns are gearing up for the spring elections. Here is another fund raising event to attend …
Councilman William Peduto’s Re-Election Campaign Kickoff Reception
Thursday, December 11th, 2008, 7:00-9:30pm
Bobby Rahal Mercedes-Benz, 4709 Baum Boulevard, Pittsburgh PA 15213, (Baum at S. Millvale)
Featuring Live Music by The Metropolitans and DJ Zombo
Food From Many of The East End’s Best Restaurants,Martini Bar and Valet ParkingSuggested Contribution $250 per person,Business Attire
RSVP mike.devanney@gmail.com
Bailing Out the Big Three and the Mon Fayette Expressway
Image by Getty Images via DaylifeI was just reading the latest email from Michael Moore about bailing out the big three automakers - I like that he offers an alternative to the bailout, I don’t know if it is the right alternative but it is helpful to see some alternative ideas discussed (I am including these ideas below). The first point in his suggestion is about transportation. This made me think about the MonFayette Expressway. There is a notion from the Mon Valley that we must build a super highway to the Mon Valley or business will never thrive there. So lets do some brainstorming - what are some alternatives to building the Mon Fayette Expressway?
So what to do? Members of Congress, here’s what I propose:
1. Transporting Americans is and should be one of the most important functions our government must address. And because we are facing a massive economic, energy and environmental crisis, the new president and Congress must do what Franklin Roosevelt did when he was faced with a crisis (and ordered the auto industry to stop building cars and instead build tanks and planes): The Big 3 are, from this point forward, to build only cars that are not primarily dependent on oil and, more importantly to build trains, buses, subways and light rail (a corresponding public works project across the country will build the rail lines and tracks). This will not only save jobs, but create millions of new ones.
2. You could buy ALL the common shares of stock in General Motors for less than $3 billion. Why should we give GM $18 billion or $25 billion or anything? Take the money and buy the company! (You’re going to demand collateral anyway if you give them the “loan,” and because we know they will default on that loan, you’re going to own the company in the end as it is. So why wait? Just buy them out now.)
3. None of us want government officials running a car company, but there are some very smart transportation geniuses who could be hired to do this. We need a Marshall Plan to switch us off oil-dependent vehicles and get us into the 21st century.
Clippings from December 1st - December 2nd
Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.
- City Council passes law on reporting stolen guns - Pittsburgh City Council gave final approval today to a requirement that gun owners report the loss or theft of a firearm within 24 hours of becoming aware that it is missing.
The vote was 6-1 after a lengthy debate in which Councilman Ricky Burgess, the lone no vote, argued that the measure runs counter to state law that generally bars local firearms laws. "An inconvenient law may be an inconvenient truth, but a law nevertheless," he said.
- Dan Deasy leaves Pittsburgh City Council - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Shields said a special election to replace Deasy on the nine-member council must be scheduled within 120 days. At least five candidates have said they plan to run in the special election, which will likely happen in March.
- McIlvaine Smith takes aim at legislative cost-of-living adjustment - State Rep. Barb McIlvaine Smith, D-Chester, is taking aim at legislative cost-of-living adjustments by crafting legislation that would repeal Act 51 of 1995, ending automatic COLAs for the legislature, as well as for judges and executive branches officials, including the auditor general, attorney general, state treasurer, PUC commissioners, and heads of boards and commissions.
PA Dems Innauguration Event - Celbrate with Ed Rendell
Image by JamSki via Flickr If you are heading to Washington DC for the Inauguration and want to spend $150…
Please join Governor Ed Rendell, Senator Bob Casey, Chairman T. J. Rooney, membersof the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation and other Pennsylvania Democrats for anight of fun and celebration of the Obama-Biden 11-point victory in Pennsylvania!
The Washington Plaza Hotel
Monday, January 19, 2009
8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
A night of celebration and fun with music, dancing, celebrity guests, celebratory refreshments!
Tickets: $150 per person
Senior and student discounts available.
Celebratory attire requested.
Tickets may be purchased at www.padems.com or by calling 717-920-8470.
Hope To See You There!
Clippings from November 26th
Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.
- Curmudgeon’s Chronicle: City’s historic documents shamefully neglected - What may qualify as the briefest display of historic documents in Western civilization opens and closes in Pittsburgh's City Hall today.
- Ravenstahl gets ex-president’s help at fundraiser - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Ravenstahl predicts the event will help him boost his war chest to $750,000 by year's end. Doing so either could scare off would-be competitors or allow him to wage an expensive re-election campaign, if necessary.
- Bill likes Luke; big bucks flow - That loud sucking sound coming from Downtown Pittsburgh tomorrow will be the sound big-pocketed Democrats make when mindlessly emptying their wallets.
The situation raises a question, though. In today's economy, who has $500 burning such pigeon-sized holes in their pocket that they're willing to throw it at a mayoral campaign that faces no tangible opposition beyond a few feisty blogs?
At a time when the Thomas Merton Center, one of our most dedicated peace and justice nonprofits in the area, is struggling to stay afloat, a re-evaluation of our financial priorities is long overdue.
My colleague and friend Joe Sabino Mistick, a columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review who worked for Mayor Sophie Masloff, has already called on Mr. Ravenstahl to donate 100 percent of tomorrow's haul to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
Clippings from November 11th - November 20th
Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.
- State officials scheduled to get raises - Pennsylvania lawmakers and state judges are in line for 2.8 percent cost-of-living raises.
Rank and file members of the state House and Senate will see their base pay increase to just over $78,000 starting next month. Members of leadership will get even more.
- Port Authority transit agency wants smart cards - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - It is about time to consider smart cards for transit riders, the added benefit would be much greater data on what bus routes and stops people are using.
- Groups press Port Authority, union to settle contract - Dozens of business and community groups today urged the Port Authority and its drivers' union leaders to work for "a responsible settlement" in the current labor dispute that threatens to disrupt service Dec. 1.
Specifically, they suggested that a fact finder's report issued in August become the basis for a new contract with Local 85, Amalgamated Transit Union, because it represents "a workable compromise."
- Democracy Rising is looking for volunteers to keep an eye on their house and senate districts - Be DR's "Local Eyes." Since all politics is local, DR is beginning a campaign to localize with Local Eyes. We're looking for one citizen in each House and Senate district to keep track of what his or her lawmaker is doing to give PA the highest standards of public integrity in America. We'll provide training in the legislative process and support you with resources to make your Local Eyes keen as an eagle's.
Best Campaigns in the Burgh?
There have been lots of articles and conversations about the Obama campaign - what they did and why it worked. So I have been thinking about campaigns on the local level - what have been some of the best political campaigns in Pittsburgh and why? What does a campaign need to be successful in Pittsburgh? If you were running for office who you want to run your campaign?
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=7268579b-3898-4361-8994-7bdef0898abc)
Bill Clinton to Participate in Luke Ravenstahl Fundraiser
Image by Photo Mojo via FlickrLuke Ravenstahl is having a holiday fundraising lunch featuring for President Bill Clinton. From today’s Harrisburgh Online…
Guess who’s coming to lunch…Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has a campaign fund raising Holiday Luncheon featuring former President Bill Clinton on Wednesday, November 26th…the event will be held at the Omni William Penn Hotel from Noon until 2 PM…a $10K contribution to Ravenstahl for Mayor gets you ten luncheon tickets and tickets for two to a private reception…the going rate for a single ticket for the luncheon only is $500…
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=ef575756-f581-4e98-aaf8-9f57873bbc9c)
REMINDER: Hope for PGH Happy Hour Tue!
Image by brianbutko via Flickr
We started Progress Pittsburgh 4 years ago after Bush won and Kerry lost as an organization to connect all of the election volunteers with local politics. Earlier this year we launched the p2 pac - a political action committee to support candidates in western PA and we have been having a montly event on the 3rd Tue of every month - we picked the 3rd Tue so we could gather together 2 weeks after Nov. 4. Please come join us to celebrate the Presidential Victory and to talk about how we can create change here in Pittsburgh.
Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: Max’s Allegheny Tavern, 537 Suismon Street
City/Town: Pittsburgh, PA
RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=34848778750&ref=mf
Local Gun Control Vote Next Week
On Thursday, November 20, 2008, Pittsburgh City Council will hold a hearing and vote on local gun control legislation. As you recall from the previous post on this topic, the bill would require reporting of lost or stolen firearms. This is an important measure to discourage illegal gun sales and decrease gun violence.
Please contact your Council Member to let them know where you stand on the issue. You may also attend the hearing on November 20th at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers (5th Floor, City-County Building).
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=57eee71c-f0c8-48fa-b155-64ced12d7219)
-
Register to Vote Here!
