• Font Size    

Most Popular Videos Featured On KDKA.com

Pittsburgh Festivities Kickoff Holidays
E-mail

Close Window E-mail This Page

County Looks To Fill Drink Tax Surplus Void

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

Send E-mail

   Print     Share +   
Jan 5, 2009 12:38 pm US/Eastern

County Looks To Fill Drink Tax Surplus Void

Reporting
Andy Sheehan
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― Allegheny County's 2009 budget now has a $12 million hole after a judge ruled Friday that excess money from the drink tax can only be used to fund the Port Authority.

This afternoon, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato will hold a news conference to discuss the county's legal and budgetary options.

County officials say the decision leaves a hole that will be difficult to fill and their options are very limited.

Onorato is expected to announce the county's intent to appeal the decision to commonwealth court.

However, the county must also plan for the worst and that means one of three things: do some creative juggling in the budget, cut services or raise taxes.

After the decision on Friday, drink tax opponents celebrated but the county solicitor said raising taxes is a real possibility.

"There's a hole and we have to have a balanced budget and right now as a result of Judge Olson's order, it's out of balance," said County Solicitor Mike Wojcik. "Don't be surprised if there's a property tax increase."

Whether the ruling results in a property tax increase or is just posturing remains to be seen.

Stay with KDKA for more details. 

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Featured Slideshows On KDKA.com

You need the latest Flash player to view video content.
Click here to download.

Click here to bypass this detection if you already have the latest Flash Player.

Local News

Top News Stories

© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.