Politics

Allegheny Co. Council Passes Drink Tax Question

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― After nearly two hours of debate and public outcry, a ballot question about the Allegheny County drink tax passed County Council.

Here's the question: "Shall the county enact an ordinance to increase real estate taxes in order to repeal the alcoholic drink tax?"

It passed despite urgings from some of their colleagues.

"God help anybody that votes for this thing because I think you've dammed your careers because you've basically come out for the biggest property tax increase in the history of this county. Otherwise, you're betraying the representation you're giving the public," Councilman Chuck McCollough said.

The group, Friends Against Counterproductive Taxation, is still working on a measure of its own, lowering the amount from 10 percent to one half of one percent.

"The government was changed by letting council put a referendum on the ballot. So we have to get 23,000 signatures and they can get eight votes to get something on the ballot which is so unfair," Jeff Cohen, from the Western PA Restaurant Association, said.

They argue it's an unfair ultimatum that leaves voters with a tough choice.

"It impacts customers from coming in and having some cocktails and enjoying themselves because they're paying more money when they come in to have a drink," Gary Steinbeck said.

And when you add tonight's confusion to the controversy it's an even tougher issue to swallow.

"I can tell you right now there's no way property taxes should be raised, but the question puts it out there that maybe it will.  And if a member of county council, a Democratic member, doesn't even understand the question after eight months of debate and five special meetings, what does that tell the public?," Councilman Vince Gastgeb said.

"Maybe we need to get out and speak and hold town meetings, answer questions, try to give people a sense of how the budget goes about," Council President Richard Fitzgerald said.

It's an education that may come with a hefty price tag.

"I'd like to see the chief executive sign this because he said he would never raise property taxes no matter what. He keeps beating the drum for everybody, so let him sign it," Councilman Nick Futules said.

The tax was designed to subsidize public transit in Allegheny County. 

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