Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto presented his proposed 2017 budget to City Council on Monday. The $539 million plan includes income from Rivers Casino.
That $10 million in income was jeopardized by a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that a fee -- either 2 percent of annual slot revenue or $10 million -- that casinos pay to host cities was unconstitutional. It was unclear if Rivers would be required to pay that money to the city. The state Supreme Court also gave a 120-day stay on implementing the decision.
While state lawmakers haven’t passed any bills rewriting the gambling code, Peduto said Pittsburgh’s 2017 budget includes casino revenue.
“This weekend, we were able to strike an agreement with Rivers Casino,” he said. “So this budget will be reflective of the full agreement for 2017 and any shortfall that may occur will be made up by Rivers, as Harrisburg works through a final agreement.”
Peduto didn't expand on how the deal was struck, but said more details will become available later this week.
He also touted the plan’s proposed five years’ worth of balanced budgets and said a 3.9 percent increase of expenditures matches the increase in projected revenue.
“(The budget) reduces the amount we pay in debt service so we can increase investment in core services, provides a solid plan to address legacy costs such as pensions, retirement and workers' comp,” Peduto said. “And makes strategic investments in our fixed assets and infrastructure.”
Peduto said the plan increases funding for street paving and public safety. It would also add 20 EMTs, as well as two additional police recruit classes and one additional firefighter class to reduce paramedic overtime costs.
The results of the presidential election framed parts of Peduto’s speech, as he touted city programs like those addressing affordable housing.
“We’ll work to expand what we’ve begun, through a welcoming city,” he said, “because no matter what the law in Washington is, you can’t outlaw compassion.”
City Council is scheduled to begin its budget discussions and hearings on Nov. 21, and by law, must approve it by the end of December.
