Progress Pittsburgh

Yesterday the Triadvocate (the blog from the folks at Triad Strategies) had a post about which of the candidates in PA is leading in tweets and followers.   They have a detailed list of candidates in PA for many offices with how many followers and tweets have been posted.  Also, Huffington Post links to a LA Times article about congressional representatives who use twitter.

So we thought it might be helfpul to create a Twitter list and ticker for the candidates for PA governor.
You can see all of the candidates Twitter accounts that are included below here: http://twitter.com/progresspgh/pa-gov-2010-candidates

The Allegheny County Democratic Committee is raising the fee for candidates for State Legislature to file for the ACDC endorsement (PG article). Apparently, the fees were too low, allowing for widespread competition (i.e. democracy). Perhaps this is a delayed reaction to the Clean Sweep movement of 2006 or perhaps its just good, old-fashioned old boys’ network scheming.

As citizens consider whether to be offended or indifferent to this development, they might consider the following information in their cost-benefit analysis.

Here are some ideas or what $3,000 could buy you in a State House race instead of filing for the endorsement:

* all the yard signs, buttons, ans t-shirts you would need for the entire campaign
* 3 part-time field staff for the final month
* phones and paid poll workers for election day
* printing and postage for a nice direct mail piece to supervoters
* rent for campaign office for at least 3 months
* production and decent run on a radio ad
* color walk lit for most of campaign
* paid voter identification calls to your district

So, even if you were to WIN the ACDC endorsement, does your $3,000 get you close to the value of any of those things?

Yesterday marks the first day of petition circulation for the 2010 primary elections. Thought it might be helpful to post the inportant election dates for 2010.

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
BUREAU OF COMMISSIONS, ELECTIONS AND LEGISLATION
2010 PENNSYLVANIA ELECTIONS
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

First day to circulate and file nomination petitions ……………………… February 16
Last day to circulate and file nomination petitions ……………………… March 9
First day to circulate and file nomination papers ………………………… March 10
Last day for withdrawal by candidates who filed nomination petitions ….. March 24
Last day to REGISTER before the primary ……………………………… April 19
Last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot …………………………. May 11
Last day for County Board of Elections to receive voted civilian………. May 14
absentee ballots
PRIMARY ………………………………………………………………. May 18
First day to REGISTER after primary …………………………………… May 19
Last day for County Board of Elections to receive voted military and…… May 25
overseas absentee ballots (must be postmarked no later than May 17)
Last day to circulate and file nomination papers ………………………… August 2
Last day for withdrawal by candidates nominated by nomination papers August 9
Last day for withdrawal by candidates nominated at the primary ……… August 9
Last day to REGISTER before the NOVEMBER election ……………… October 4
Last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot ………………………… October 26
Last day for County Boards of Elections to receive voted civilian……… October 29
absentee ballots
GENERAL ELECTION ….………………………………………….. November 2
First day to REGISTER after November election ……………………….. November 3
Last day for County Board of Elections to receive voted military and…… November 9
overseas absentee ballots (must be postmarked no later than November 1)

Note: All dates in this calendar are subject to change without notice.

The link to the PDF with this information is – http://www.dos.state.pa.us/elections/lib/elections/030_important_dates/2010.pdf

Image via Wikipedia

UPDATE — DUE TO WEATHER – THIS HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR WED 2/17

PUMP (Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project) is organizing a workshop for anyone interested in running for democratic committee.  While PUMP is known as an organization for young professionals they are always welcoming to guests of all ages.  So if you are interested in running for committee here is your chance to learn more.

——————————————————————-

6:00 – 8:00 February 10, 2010

Shadow Lounge & AVA, 5972 Baum Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

On Wednesday, February 10th, PUMP is pleased to present a Civic Engagement Program aimed at getting young people connected with upcoming opportunities to Run for Public Office. In 2010, all of Allegheny County’s Democratic Committee Members are up for re-election. All Republican Committee Members are up for re-election in 2012. If you ever thought about running for public office, and want to give it a try, running for committee is a great place to start!

Come network with other young people who share your interest in politics and learn about the role of the Committee member, important dates in the election cycle, how to circulate petitions and tips on how to win and what a campaign will entail! Blank petitions will also be available at the event.

Featuring:

• Gloria Forouzan, Founder – Run Baby Run
• Tom Baker, Republican State Committeee Member
• Erin Molchany, PUMP’s Executive Director by Day, Allegheny County Democratic Committee Member by night

This is a FREE event! A cash bar will be available. However, if you would like to JOIN PUMP or Renew your membership, you can do so on site at the event for $20! For more information, please contact Erin at erin@pump.org or 412.338.2133 ext 10.

To register, please visit www.pump.org!

Facebook Event for this workshop

Here is an email that was just send out by Dan Onorato’s campaign. Not really sure what the point of this email is – maybe something like – hey you should be excited about the G20! Also interesting that the header is “DAN ONORATO: Democrat”

Dear friends:

This week, Pittsburgh’s renaissance will be on full display as my hometown hosts leaders from the 20 largest economies as the G-20 meets there. We’ve worked very hard to prepare for the two-day meeting and I am excited for Pittsburgh to receive the recognition it deserves.

But even before the meeting starts, being selected to host the G-20 has already given Pittsburgh an opportunity to shine and show the world how far it has come since the difficult days of the 1970s. As the <em>Washington Post </em>wrote on Sunday, “As locals know, the ‘Burgh’s latest incarnation, clean and green, pulls its rivers, hills and past into a handsome present.” The city’s rebirth has been featured in magazines, newspapers and radio and television shows across the country.

This is a big week for Pittsburgh and the entire southwestern Pennsylvania region. As a Pittsburgh native, city resident and as Allegheny County Executive, I could not be more proud. We could not have gotten here without the hard work of thousands of people. Everyone owes them a debt of gratitude.

Sincerely,

Dan

P.S. I will have some big announcements coming up in the next few weeks, but until then, thank you for all the support you have given me already and I look forward to seeing you soon.

PUMP & The University of Pittsburgh Graduate Student Association invite you to learn about the status of the Healthcare Reform in America!  JOIN us on Friday, October 23rd, 2009, as we host our own town hall meeting geared at helping YOU understand this complex and controversial issue.

University of Pittsburgh
October, 23, 2009 6:00 – 8:00pm (Doors open at 5:30) ”
This event is FREE.
CLICK HERE to register for this event

Featured Panelists: 

• Paul H. O’Neill 72nd Secretary of the US Treasury, Co founder of the Pittsburgh Regional Healthcare Initiative & Founder of Value Capture, LLC.  During his government service, Mr. O’Neill helped to shape many of the policies which define the American health care system today. 
• Congressman Jason Altmire D- Pennsylvania’s 4th Congressional DistrictCo-chair of the New Democratic Coalition’s task force on health care reform and serves as a subcommittee chairman on the Small Business Committee.  Prior to his election to Congress in 2006, Jason spent 15 years in health care policy, working as a congressional staffer, a hospital association executive and for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).
• Congressman Tim Murphy R- Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional DistrictCongressman Murphy relies on his three decades as a child psychologist to advocate for meaningful reforms in the U.S. healthcare system.  As one of only a handful of members of Congress with a background in healthcare, Tim quickly established himself as a leader on the issue.  He is Co-chair of the 21st Century Healthcare Caucus, Mental Health Caucus and Men’s Health Caucus, and currently serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee, where he sits on two subcommittees:  Health and Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Moderator: Dr. Beaufort B. Longest M. Allen Pond Professor and Director, Health Policy Institute

The short answer to that question is – Nothing.  The PGH Lesbian Correspondent added another post about the yet to be announced Pittsburgh LGBT advisory committee.  She has blogged about this occasionally over the past year so we thought it would be interesting to see just how long this LGBT Advisory Committee has be discussed.  Here are a handful of posts from The Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents about the LGBT Advisory Committee/Panel that span the past year:

• 6/22/2009 – Luke Ravenstahl’s LGBT Advisory Committee. On Friday, April 24, the Mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Kristen Baginski told us that they were in touch with potential members and would announce when that process was complete. That was almost two months ago. You can email her to ask how many more months (it has been 7 since it was announced) will be needed to form the committee that will advise the Mayor on LGBT issues. You could mention the significant issues outlined above as proof that we really can’t afford to wait too much longer
• 5/22/2009 – What happened to plans for a LGBT liaison in the Mayor’s office? Or the LGBT advisory committee?
• 4/3/2009 – Kristen Baginski and Joanna Doven won’t return my calls or respond to my email messages about the LGBT Advisory Council.
• 2/26/2009 – email from Joanna Doven “There is nothing new to report re the LGBT advisory panel. We’re getting ready to choose the panel – once that happens we will have the inaugural meeting. Charles Morrison, the head of the City’s Human Relations Commission will be monitoring the process to make sure the panel is representative of the community.”
• 12/11/2008 – “the Mayor of Pittsburgh, Luke Ravenstahl, is launching a LGBT Advisory Council to provide an open line of communication between his office and Pittsburgh’s LGBT community. The planning meeting held on December 10 was chaired by Deputy Chief of Staff Kristen Baginski and the Mayor’s personal liaison to the LGBT community, Gary Van Horn, a local businessman and President of the Delta Foundation. 25 people were in attendance, along with two members of the media. The room was fairly even between men and women, but almost entirely Caucasian and middle to upper middle class. It was a pretty elite group and that didn’t surprise me for a 5 PM meeting held downtown. “
• 11/29/2008 – Pittsburgh is a great example — our gay community is as diverse as any other Pittsburgh group, except for the younger crowds. The next big opportunity to get this right is the Mayor’s soon to be appointed LGBT Advisory Committtee. Let’s hope his team finds a way to create a dynamically diverse group of folks who do not have deep pocket ties to his office.
• 6/19/2008 – “his promise to appoint a LGBT liaison and an LGBT advisory committee remain unfulfilled.”

Propel Pittsburgh?

All of this made us wonder what ever happened to the Propel Pittsburgh Commission.  Here is a description of the commission from the City of Pittsburgh Website

Function:
The 35-member Propel Pittsburgh Commission is dedicated to meeting the concerns and needs of the City of Pittsburgh’s young adults and young professionals. Composed entirely of members aged 20-34, and chaired by the Mayor himself, the objective of the Commission is to encourage greater participation in government, identify or create programmatic or policy opportunities in issues affecting young adults and young professionals in Pittsburgh, and to inform various elected and appointed officials representing young people about issues specific to them. The Propel Pittsburgh Commission will help to give the young adults and young professionals of Pittsburgh a major role in moving the City of Pittsburgh forward.

Also from the City’s website – the commission is to meet every other month – as of today the website says the next meeting is May 21, 2008.

Blog Mentions of Propel Pittsburgh

• 7/10/2009 – Get Involved!
• 11/25/2008 – The Angry Drunk Bureaucrat
• 10/26/2008 – The Pittsburgh Comet
• 9/15/2007 – The Pittsburgh Hoagie - Matt H is a member of the Propel Pittsburgh commission – it doesn’t look like he has posted any other blog updates on their meetings.
• Alik who was a member of the commission but no longer lives in Pittsburgh also posted some updates on the Propel Meetings that were held in 2007 at Pittsburgh.Metblogs.com – the last post on this was 8/17/2008.

Last week as we left Loew’s and a sneak preview of Funny People, once again we found ourselves appreciating just how awful the design of the Waterfront is.  It’s as if the bad mall martians flew in from outer space, landing on one of the most key-critical, history rich and defining sites of Pittsburgh’s past, wiping it out – and in it’s place, leaving a bubble of bland, consumerism in an enclosure with little to no accessibility to the town from which is was annexed, not to mention, with little to no economic benefit as well.

And yet, I continued to wonder, as my husband was winding his way through this design-flaw filled space, how have we managed to do it again?  The Steelers have invited the very same developers, the same poor designers, to do their “magic” on a piece of public land central to our city’s north side.  Talking bad about the Steelers is kind of like insulting your mama in this town, but let me just point out that the Steelers are a privately owned commercial enterprise.  Why would a sports team have so much power and leverage in decision-making about public land?  After all, they are not elected, are they?  And why would this publicly owned land be sold for a song to a commercial enterprise with little to no public oversight or accountability?  Especially without any clearly defined benefits to people living in the surrounding communities the development will affect.  Aha!  you say what about about the over site boards, the Planning Commission and the Sports Authority– aren’t they publicly accountable?

Well, let’s just see:  The mayor appoints individuals to the Planning Commission, the Sports Authority, the Water and Sewage board, Port Authority oversight, and the Urban Redevelopment Authority, not to mention the the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Historic Review Commission and the Shade Tree Commission. Millions, if not Billions, of dollars are in the hands of these individuals — not to mention the long term political and economic implications of their decision making.  Their appointments are supposed to be given rigorous scrutiny by City Council, and yet in the last July 2009 go-round, the Council gave the mayor 5-4 support without any hearings or review of his appointments.

At a May 2009 Planning Commissionmeeting, 170 people showed up, in the middle of a work day, to give testimony regarding the negative impact proposed development will have to their neighborhoods in Pittsburgh’s north side.  We are talking about the afore mentioned, Steelers proposed development designed by Continental Development of Columbus Ohio, the authors of the Waterfront.  Do you think the voices of 170 people made a bit of difference to the unelected, appointed members of the Planning Commission?  And do you think they made a difference to the mayor?  (who was essentially appointed and never has had to work his way through the rigors of an election campaign cycle, that is, be responsive to voters)  In the words of John Belushi, “noooooooooooooo”

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by what we are capable of tolerating, myself included. But there is some part of me that has to beg the question to my fellow participants in democracy, “Why are we putting up with this condition as a city and as a region?” We won’t tolerate pushing aside the democratic process of public accountability in our national government.  We proved that as a nation in our last election cycle.  But somehow, when this top-down, Executive dominant way of doing things that we associate readily with Bush-Cheney is at our own back door, we easily hold our collective nose and look the other way.   Just why, oh why, are we putting up with this condition?

So while the battle for heath care is being waged on a National Level it is interesting that some things have also been brought to light here in Pittsburgh about development and jobs. Here is a quick summary…

Last Week

It has been an interesting frew weeks in Pittsburgh.  Last week Northside United staged a protest to demand better jobs for the North Side outside of one of the buildings managed by Continental Real Estate on the North Shore – click here to read the previous blog post about last week.

Friday at the City County Building

• Morning – Over 100 protesters arrived on the 5th floor of the city county building to talk to Mayor Ravenstahl about jobs
  • From WPXI - The protesters said they want the mayor to address the problem that many of the new developments, subsidized by taxpayer money, have created low-wage jobs, keeping Pittsburgh families in poverty.
• Doors to the Mayors office were chained-  A city worker chained and padlocked the door to the mayors office from the inside – the mayor WAS NOT inside the office
  • From PGH City Paper - A half-dozen city police officers showed up, insisting on clearing a path to the door — even when the door itself was padlocked. (The lock was eventually removed.)
• Protesters Leave City hall, promise to return at 2pm
• 2pm Protesters return to City Hall, No Luke RAvenstahl
• City Councilman Doug Shields invites protesters into city council chambers
  • From PGH Comet - Reportedly at some point Council President Doug Shields swung open the doors to City Council chambers with the announcement, “Your government is ready to listen.” Thereafter began an impromptu unofficial hearing participated in by Shields, Bruce Kraus, Darlene Harris, and Bill Peduto chief of staff Daniel Gillman, in addition to representatives of the coalition.
  • Video is available here
• Yarone Zober makes a statement on behalf of the mayor
  • PGH Comet has 2 youTube clips of Yarone Zober’s statements
• Mayoral Candidate Dok Harris Releases a Statement

The City needs to develop a comprehensive policy to ensure that development that is publicly funded or subsidized in any way provides good, family-sustaining jobs.  It is imperative that the community has a seat at the table to guarantee that development benefits the city residents and neighborhoods; not just the developers, politicians, and their supporters.

From day one of my candidacy I have expressed my life long views that workers deserve fair wages and fair treatment. In my administration it will be a priority to guarantee good jobs in all publicly-funded developments. We will work with community leaders to protect the needs of our neighborhoods and to improve Pittsburgh’s economy by protecting the middle class.

• 2 Political Junkies has a summary of media coverage of today’s events

Some questions

• Where was Luke Ravenstahl today? If President Obama can take the time to talk to the white house press corps about the Cambridge, MA police, then why isn’t Luke Ravenstahl available to talk to Pittsburgh citizens
• Have any of the members of Continental Real Estate contributed to Luke Ravenstahl’s campaign?
  • Walnut Capital – one of Ravenstahl’s biggest campaing contributors
    • From the Trib - Ravenstahl’s biggest donors run Shadyside development company Walnut Capital. President Todd Reidbord and manager partner Gregg Perelman donated $10,000 each. Reidbord is a member of the city Planning Commission.
  • Walnut Capital has received public funding for Bakery Square Project
    • From PGH Comet - Walnut Capital already qualified for public Tax Increment Financing for its Bakery Square project without even the usual strings attached in regards to labor agreements. It is a fact that Walnut Capital is the City of Pittsburgh’s number one campaign contributor, and that one of its two owners, Todd Reidbord, sets development policy as a senior member of the City Planning Commission.
• Is all of this developer driven development, supported by public money really good for Pittsburgh?  Is there another model that might work better to move Pittsburgh forward.  Is it possible that continued retail, office and hotel development isn’t really what is needed.
  • From the Post-Gazette in Feb 2009 - The gloomy retail climate prompted one expert, Burt P. Flickinger III, managing director of SRG Insights, to predict 2,000 to 3,000 shopping malls and shopping centers nationwide could go belly-up this year
    • Even in the city – there is vacant retail space in every business district from the new South Side Works, to Walnut Street, to the East Side development to Downtown – yet we continue to develop more retail spaces – who is going to rent these spaces and open up shop?

There is a near showdown happening in Braddock around the mayor’s race.  The current Mayor John Fetterman is facing a challenge from a candidate who is supported by some of the Braddock council members.

Here is the Post-Gazette article on the race: Braddock Mayor Has His Critics

Here is a letter to the editor froma  Forest Hill’s resident in support of John Fetterman: 

Your Monday piece about Braddock Mayor John Fetterman was timely considering the upcoming primary (“Braddock Mayor Has His Critics,” May 4). As a council member of a neighboring municipality I would like to report on some changes I have noticed in Braddock since Mayor Fetterman’s arrival.

Obvious aesthetic changes include: basketball courts, murals, re-paved roads, trees, an urban garden, UPMC additions, new housing and several revitalized buildings on historic Library Street. Practical additions have included a stronger youth program, a jobs center, a vegetable-based fuel business, a district art show, a farmer’s market, creative artists space and the return of the annual street fair.

While it is true that many people have worked to keep Braddock viable since the loss of the steel industry and no one disputes that, Mayor Fetterman’s unique character and dedication have created a buzz that has generated grants for the town, politicians’ attention and movement on the much-delayed neighboring Carrie Furnace development and Rankin bridge repairs next to the popular Waterfront.

The residents of Braddock would be well-served to embrace the change that their mayor has helped them realize and work with him to continue to move their neighborhood forward.

STEVE KARAS
Forest Hills

More »

Much of the blog conversation this week has been about the mayorial debates (or lack of mayoral debates).  I feel very strongly that this country is in a much better place today than it was a year ago because Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton continued their primary campaigns much longer than anyone expected.  The extended campaign and formal and informal debate that was a result allowed this country to have a conversation and to begin the discussion of some major issues that we are facing.  While I am not certain who would be the best leader for this city – both Luke Ravenstahl, Patrick Dowd and Carmen Robinson have things to offer this city – I am certain that this city NEEDS to have a conversation about issues.  

The Ravenstahl campagin continues to respond that they have no open dates…

But the Ravenstahl camp says it has no open dates before voting on May 19, so the debate is effectively canceled. The only date it had open was May 4, when the WPXI-TV debate was rescheduled. (via 2 Political Junkies and PG)

I am dissapointed by this response and I am curious to understand where the mayor spends his time.  Here is a little of what we have found.  Where have you seen the mayor? What is on his schedule?

• Monday, April 13, 2pm – Mayor Ravenstahl is seen in Bloomfield with his campaign manager – looks like they were filming a campaign commercial
• Tuesday, April 14 – Mayor Ravenstahl spends 20 mins at the Lawrenceville Block Watch Meeting.
• Tuesday, April 14 – Mayor Ravenstahl joins the Governor and Onorato for a press conference about state grants for development projects.
• Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 – 7:30 – Mayor Ravenstahl will be hosting a birthday party fundraiser for Bob Casey at Finnegan’s Wake 
• Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 7:45-9:15 am – Mayor Ravenstahl will address the Tech Council about the cities Green Initiaves
• Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 6:30-8pm – PUMP.org Mayoral Debate – NOTE -according to the PUMP website Ravenstahl has not confirmed his attendance. 

From the PG – the city has laid out a plan to reduce the city debt.  For the people who are following this – is this plan any good or just more of a campaign promise?

“The city’s debt was climbing” before 2005, Mr. Kunka said. “But the mayor and city council have been able to reduce $125 million in principal over the last five years.”

The debt could drop much farther if the city avoids borrowing money through 2017. If it could do that, its current annual debt payment of $87.4 million would plunge to $70 million in 2018 and $30.7 million in 2019.

He said that $45.4 million that has been shifted from the city’s savings to a special account for reducing future debt payments could be used in 2012 to pay off bonds early, shaving off that much principal and $9.9 million in interest

This important bill for equality is receiving some resistance from local residents. Please call your representative to demonstrate support for the bill:

PROPOSAL/ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This legislation would amend the act of O ctober 27, 1955(P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for findings and declaration of policy, for right to freedom from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation; define “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression”; and further provide for unlawful discriminatory practices, for powers and duties of commission, for education program and for construction and exclusiveness of remedy.

Remember the big debacle last year regarding a certain LED billboard on a certain transportation center (at the corner of Grant and 11th Streets in Downtown Pittsburgh)? (See this, that, or the other post from last year.) Well, lucky for us, we have a say in the issue. As the City prepares to develop policy to regulate activity involving digital billboards, a public hearing will be held on March 11th to allow citizens to provide input.

The issues involved with digital billboards are as follows:

• Where should they be allowed? They have a greater impact on their environment than traditional billboards because they glow rather than being flat images.
• How many should be allowed? They are being used to replace traditional billboards because they bring in more revenue and cost less to operate than traditional billboards.

Please consider voicing your opinion on LED billboards on Wednesday, March 11 at 5:30 p.m. in the first floor conference room of 200 Ross Street. Think about is this way: would you want to see an LED billboard from your house?

For more information, see this post.

News outlets are reporting today that County Councilman Chuck McCullough (R-Upper Saint Clair) has turned himself for the crimes that committed roughly two years ago. As you may recall, McCullough was found to have stolen checks from an elderly client and written contributions to local political campaigns. He was already on the ballot for County Council when the charges became public and, despite a lack of campaigning, he was elected.

You might wonder, who the heck would elect a guy that stole checks from an old lady? The answer, sadly, is your neighbors. We need to hold our elected officials, our candidates, and ourselves to higher standards here in the Pittsburgh region.

This story on WPXI.