tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135927766940074047.post1293917890332100232..comments2023-05-28T09:57:01.634-04:00Comments on 3MurkyRivers: An Asset You Have To Believe InSteelCityMudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16171904909887127137noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135927766940074047.post-15693672507421830682011-09-11T15:45:48.808-04:002011-09-11T15:45:48.808-04:00Is it the same guy wandering around the comment se...Is it the same guy wandering around the comment sections trying to make like a few bucks for the libraries is the kind of thing Nixon would have done if he were truly evil?MHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135927766940074047.post-81470720305819180792011-09-11T09:18:11.347-04:002011-09-11T09:18:11.347-04:00I agree that Dowd is really smart, no doubt about ...I agree that Dowd is really smart, no doubt about that. I hope nothing I said was read as impugning his intelligence.<br /><br />But I don't really see the library tax as a miscalculation. Those libraries are a wonderful resource for Pittsburgh and it seems there is no other way to keep them funded. In fact, there have been so many problems getting money that has already been approved released to the library system that the referendum seems like the only way to make sure they have a revenue stream that can't be tampered with.SteelCityMudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16171904909887127137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135927766940074047.post-31904498863376454132011-09-09T19:34:09.791-04:002011-09-09T19:34:09.791-04:00Other than his drastic miscalculation on the libra...Other than his drastic miscalculation on the library tax, Dowd is the most intelligent person on Grant Street. Although his library tax is weighing him down big time. If the taxpayers are able to cough up more taxes, shouldn't it be going to something like, em, debt?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135927766940074047.post-87364246566504575062011-09-08T20:36:01.433-04:002011-09-08T20:36:01.433-04:00I share your thought that a state takeover might n...I share your thought that a state takeover might not be such a bad thing. As I understand it they enjoy lower admin costs, more realistic projections and higher returns than the City fund.<br /><br />After all, the money is going to be extracted from Pittsburgh way or the other. Those pensions have to be paid. So if it can be done more efficiently it seems prudent to take advantage of that. <br /><br />I suppose the counter-argument is that local leaders will wield an extraction tool that is more sensitive to local concerns. This argument fails though when the we remember that these local leaders just botched the extraction plan. It parking overhaul proved hugely unpopular and undercut both small local businesses and ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown. If this is what those sensitive to local concerns have to offer, I think I'd prefer the outsider.SteelCityMudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16171904909887127137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135927766940074047.post-59515424680437464302011-09-07T14:24:04.725-04:002011-09-07T14:24:04.725-04:00In terms of labeling or devising with metaphors, i...In terms of labeling or devising with metaphors, it helps to remember that Council pledged parking TAX revenue -- which it does control -- and backed it up with, well, general fund revenue, which it also controls.<br /><br />Council merely suggested strongly that the only way the City could survive that pledge is if the Parking Authority played along with Council's designs. Basically, Council said, "Do the Council Controller plan or we shoot this puppy", and the administration is saying, "Whatever, I've always been more of a cat person."<br /><br />I'm more interested in your next promised installment. I'm still trying to be convinced that eluding state takeover is worthwhile, and I'm not there yet. I understand that a plan for 100% pensions funding is unnecessary overkill and a burden on taxpayers and ratepayers -- HOWEVER I'm not convinced that avoiding 0% pensions funding during the next 6 years is possible, and the opportunity put investment management in the hands of nonpartisan, noncommercial professionals isn't a once-in-a-lifetime positive opportunity. (And underscoring the impossibility of our crisis early might lead to its own benefits, one of which is politicians considering drastic actions sooner than otherwise.)Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.com