Today I’ve got various stories to bring to you. It’s not so much one glaring story to write about today as it is a grouping of little stories that could make your day go a little faster. I’ve also posted the Twitter Follow Friday Question below. If you have twitter and want to follow me, you can do so by clicking on this link right here: YinzPitt.
First things first. My FF Twitter question will be:
What is your favorite thing to do in Pittsburgh?
I think that question should actually open a few of our minds to what Pittsburgh really is all about. It’s going to be very interesting some of the answers as well.
Moving on to the news portion:
As most of you know Haiti has suffered a terrible tragedy. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Eat N’ Park are collecting donations for Haiti relief. If you’re going to be around downtown or you’re actually going to the game, check out this link, and see how you can help: http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=514023&navid=DL|PIT|home
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If you’re a commuter on the Port Authority buses around the city, be prepared for a new fare collection system debuting soon. It’s a machine enabled to protect from counter-fit bills, as the old way was very easy to con with counterfeit bills. It’s a pretty interesting read, not that it’s going to help them at the end of the day, because let’s face it, no money is never enough for them: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10019/1029241-147.stm?cmpid=news.xml
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The U.S. Department of Labor has granted the state of Pennsylvania $6 million in funds for green jobs training. This is good news for the state of Pennsylvania. It’s always a good thing when more jobs are being brought in, and especially new jobs incorporating green technology. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10021/1029853-28.stm
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ThePensBlog has an awesome write-up for the Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins game tonight. It’s going to be a classic, and the guys over there never disappoint on what they want to say. It’s technically NSFW, but I’m posting anyways. http://thepensblog.com/pensblog/january-2010/destined-to-do-this-forever.html
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Actually a rather large story to write about here in dealing with Pittsburgh politics. The proposed living wage bill for Pittsburgh has been put off for 3 weeks by the Pittsburgh Council. I remember reading that this proposed bill has caused a lot of stir among the council and a lot of them can’t agree to get on the same page and get it done:
City Councilman Doug Shields introduced the prevailing wage bill in November. That bill would guarantee hotel, cafeteria and building maintenance workers at future city-subsidized development sites wages equal to the average of their peers citywide. It would affect projects that get $100,000 or more in city subsidies and are larger than 100,000 square feet, except for grocery stores, which would have a lower threshold of 30,000 square feet.
Ravenstahl vetoed the prevailing wage bill on New Year’s Eve, saying it would have hurt development efforts.
I can get behind what Ravenstahl is thinking regarding this issue. However, 9 times out of 10 the reason this was vetoed is because of underlying issues being proposed with the bill. The excuse used was that it would hurt “development” around the area. This is where the council people of Pittsburgh disagree and want this issue taken care of:
“This is apples and oranges,” said Shields, who reintroduced the prevailing wage legislation last week. “The living wage is one thing, the prevailing wage is totally different. I think it needs time and needs more than one week than just to rush this to get done in a week. The prevailing wage has been going on for months.”
A public hearing on the living wage measure is expected to be scheduled sometime before the bill is back on the council agenda in three weeks. A public hearing on the prevailing wage bill will be held 10 a.m. Monday.
The city’s living wage ordinance applied to employers who received city contracts of $10,000 or more and/or city assistance of at least $50,000. The bill required employers pay their workers $9.12 an hour plus health insurance, or $10.62 an hour without health insurance. It required the city delay implementation until Allegheny County implemented its own living wage legislation. County council considered living wage legislation, but it was defeated by a majority of its members.
If implemented, the city’s living wage bill would affect for-profit employers with at least 10 employees or non-profit employers with at least 25 employees. The measure would also extend to city authorities. The hourly rate for employees has not been calculated.
“Everyone here knows our council is supportive of good wages,” said Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak. “But there’s definitely a difference between prevailing wage and living wage.
It’s an interesting read and worth looking into. Check it out here: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_663241.html
Hopefully, if you have a longer lunch and you’re checking out my site, that these stories provide you information worthy of your time.
Thu, Jan 21, 2010
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