NEWS: City dishes out challenges against nonprofit tax breaks
After vowing to take on nonprofit tax exemptions late January, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey announced last week his office had prepared a slate of challenges against UPMC, the Allegheny Health Network, and other major institutions.
In total the city has identified 26 parcels that officials believe should be paying annual property taxes to the tune of $3.5 million. This represents just the first 10% of a city-wide review process that could extend into next year.
Gainey said in January that almost a third of real estate within city limits does not pay taxes, and vowed to root out any abuses of the system.
Pennsylvania law allows nonprofits to claim property tax exemptions, but it also holds that any parcels in question should be operated consistently with their charitable mission statements.
“I made a promise to the people when I ran that in this city, we would be able to do the necessary work to ensure that all of our nonprofits meet their constitutional standard,” Gainey said.
NEWS: Hoax calls ignite fear, fury
Fear seized parents, students, and educators on March 29 as false reports of active shooters at two Pittsburgh high schools prompted mass police responses and nearby shelter-in-place lockdowns.
Reports came in around 11 a.m. that shooters were on site in Central Catholic and Oakland Catholic schools, both in the city’s Oakland neighborhood. Surrounding institutions, including the University of Pittsburgh, also went into lockdown while the threat was evaluated.
Law enforcement later confirmed no threats were identified at either location, and county officials noted similar false alarms were reported across the state and country.
In a speech that day from the House floor, U.S. Rep. Summer Lee (D-Swissvale) called on lawmakers to take action on gun reform.
“Active shootings aren’t normal,” Lee said. “Shooting hoaxes aren’t normal. The evacuations and drills are not normal. “[Republican legislators] want to control everything except that which could prevent mass preventable deaths of children and students and worshippers and shoppers in the only country on earth that this is a problem.”
NEWS: Population Decline
Allegheny County lost more than 17,000 residents between 2020 and 2022, according to a recent release of census data, placing it among the fastest shrinking regions in the country. This comes shortly after the most recent 10-year census recorded decade-on-decade growth in Allegheny County for the first time since the collapse of the steel industry.
Released Thursday, the Vintage 2022 data — a more limited study based on selective surveys — suggests nearly 16,000 left Allegheny County for other areas between 2020 and 2022. On top of that, the region recorded 6,500 more deaths than births during that period. Propping up the county’s population, international immigration has introduced more than 4,000 new residents to the region.
Statewide, Pennsylvania lost about 30,000 residents during that time, according to the data.
