The city of Pittsburgh is functionally bankrupt and it is currently seeking new ways to raise revenue and decrease expenditures, or at least shift the expenditures off of the books. This condition is partially the result of massive lack of
political courage and partially the
Bush Tax.
Right now the Pittsburgh City council has approved a budget that will be increasing
parking taxes by 60% The city is still expected to run out of cash in the summer of 2004, which will not be conducive to Bush gaining any ground in Southwestern PA next fall.
The city is in tough shape, and as we look further into the surrounding metropolitan areas, we are seeing the same situation. The old steel towns and counties are running out of money so government layoffs are continuing. Some of the steel plants are still reeling and laying people off
Western Pennsylvania is going to be a tough fight for both sides next year, but I think the terrain favors the Democrats.