Opinion: The 2025 county budget leaves critical gaps in the local justice system

As we mark the first year of Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato’s administration, it is an opportune moment to evaluate the priorities and decisions that have shaped her tenure. Transitioning from a 12-year incumbent to fresh leadership always brings challenges, but it also creates opportunities for bold changes. The 2025 budget reflects many commendable efforts to address pressing community needs, yet it also highlights an enduring and deeply concerning disparity in our criminal justice system.

The administration’s 2025 Budget has emphasized critical areas:

1. Health and Welfare (38.6% of the budget) 

• Significant investments in human services, child initiatives, community living centers, and public health programs. 

• Expanded funding for elderly care and mental health services to support vulnerable populations. 

• Increased allocations for law enforcement, jail operations, and emergency services. o Investments in technology to enhance first responders’ capabilities. 

• Notable increases in sustainability (+64.57%) and IT modernization (+42.51%), signaling a commitment to efficiency and environmental goals. 

• Targeted investments in Main Street revitalization, affordable housing, and blight removal to foster local growth.

These efforts, alongside modest increases in funding for public works, culture, and recreation, illustrate the administration’s intent to improve quality of life across the county. However, one glaring issue hinders progress in a critical area that affects all residents, but mostly Black residents, here in Allegheny County, and that is the persistent inequity in our criminal justice funding.

The 2025 budget allocates $25.5 million to the District Attorney’s Office, a 5.88% increase from 2024, compared to $14.8 million for the Public Defender’s Office, which received a 9.77% increase. While both offices experienced budget increases, the $10.7 million funding disparity raises significant concerns, highlighting a critical imbalance within the criminal justice system here.

It is encouraging that the Public Defender’s Office received a higher percentage increase, but this modest boost does little to address its historically chronic underfunding. The glaring $10.7 million disparity between the two offices underscores a troubling imbalance that persists within Allegheny County. For years, the Public Defender’s Office has operated with limited resources. In contrast, the District Attorney’s Office continues to receive substantially higher funding, allowing for more robust staffing and technological advancements. This disparity sends a clear and concerning message: Allegheny County prioritizes prosecution over ensuring the constitutionally guaranteed right to a fair defense.

The disparities in funding are not just numbers on a spreadsheet — they reflect systemic values. By underfunding the Public Defender’s Office, the county risks denying countless residents their constitutional right to a fair defense, especially those from marginalized communities who are disproportionately impacted by the justice system.

ACE Innamorato stands at a pivotal crossroads, holding the chance to cement her legacy by addressing the glaring inequities in our criminal justice system. While her administration has shown promise through innovative solutions and meaningful community investments, it is not enough to rest on those laurels. The time for action is not “down the road” or “someday soon” — it is now.

The residents of Allegheny County deserve better than empty promises. We will be watching closely to see if Innamorato rises to the occasion. As residents of Allegheny County, we must insist on a justice system that upholds equality not only in principle but in the allocation of tangible resources. This 2025 budget falls short of addressing the critical disparities faced by those navigating our criminal justice system. This failure highlights an urgent need for meaningful reform.

As we look toward 2026 and beyond, we call upon our leadership to rise to the higher calling of justice, fairness, and equity for all. This moment is not just a challenge — it is an opportunity to lead with bold vision and unwavering compassion. To ACE Innamorato, we believe in the promise of your administration and your ability to chart a path that uplifts every resident of Allegheny County.

The true measure of leadership is found in the courage to correct inequities, the wisdom to listen to those most affected, and the determination to build a system that serves all people equally. We want to see you succeed, for your success means a brighter future for every person in this county.

Let this be the time when Allegheny County becomes a beacon of justice, where no one is forgotten, and where fairness is not just an ideal, but a lived reality.

Daylon A. Davis has served as President of NAACP’s Pittsburgh Branch since 2023.

This article appears in Jan 15-21, 2025.