Pittsburgh City Council is considering legislation that would require the mayor’s office to make sure budget proposals comply with federal, state and local laws and the city’s home rule charter before they are introduced to council.
This comes after former Mayor Bill Peduto proposed a major pay raise for council members in the 2022 budget — a pay increase that was not allowed under Pittsburgh’s home rule charter. Council members lowered their pay increase after discovering the proposed raise included in the budget was too high to be permitted.
Council President Theresa Kail-Smith, who sponsored the legislation, said council is not responsible for ensuring that operating budgets are in compliance with relevant laws.
“We want to make sure the budget comes to council in compliance,” she said.
While Kail-Smith said the measure was partly spurred by confusion over the pay raise, she added that it’s also part of a broader effort to ensure that legislation on such matters is updated and clear.
Her proposed legislation said operating budgets prepared by the mayor’s office must not use illegal revenue sources or contain illegal expenditures, must comply with applicable collective bargaining agreements and must be in compliance with all applicable laws and the city’s home rule charter.
The measure was introduced Tuesday with no discussion. It could be ready for a final vote in as soon as two weeks.
