Allegheny County To Lay Off 200; Tax On Poured Drinks Supported
POSTED: 5:16 pm EDT October 9,
2007
UPDATED: 11:14 am EDT October 10,
2007
PITTSBURGH -- Allegheny County plans to lay off some 200 workers as part of its $728 million budget for the upcoming year, Chief Executive Dan Onorato said Tuesday.The job cuts will save $10 million annually and prevent a hike in property taxes, Onorato said.The county is struggling because health and welfare payments have increased by $20 million over the last four years.
Also in the budget, Onorato is supporting proposals for a new 10 percent tax on poured alcoholic drinks and a $2 daily tax on rental cars.If approved, the taxes are expected to generate $35 million a year to help fund the Port Authority, which is slashing its own budget and workforce.The county council must approve Onorato's budget before it can go into effect.Some minority Republicans on the council said that if the necessary revenue isn't there, perhaps more cuts should be made instead of enacting new taxes."I think we have to match revenues with expenditures, just like our taxpayers do in their home budget, just like our businesses do in their businesses," Councilwoman Susan Caldwell said.Public comments on the proposed budget and tax increases will be allowed at hearings on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. Visit www.alleghenycounty.us for more information.
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Copyright 2007 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
