Last week the Allegheny County Council voted 9 (Democrats) to 4 (Republicans) to adopt a resolution calling on the state Legislature to abandon efforts to privatize the liquor stores. There is only one reason for Council to stick its overly busy snout into another subject that is not a concern of that less-than-august legislative body.  If you think they did it to curry favor with and promote the interests of labor unions, go directly to the head of the class. Why else? Does it represent the wishes of the majority of Allegheny County residents? Is there a provision in the County Charter requiring or calling on Council to weigh in on state level policy decisions?

After its somewhat tarnished record in dealing with assessments, enacting new taxes, condemning a respectable company with no evidence to do so and encroaching egregiously by invading the province of OSHA, EEOC and the state departments of Labor and Industry, and passing legislation for which the County solicitor had told them was a violation of state law, one would think the rapacious appetite to be partisan and handmaiden of union interests would be somewhat sated.  But clearly it has not been.

One positive to come out of this latest episode is the no votes from all Republicans. Did recent criticism of their timid behavior and excessive acquiescence to the wishes of the majority put some starch in their position taking? Or was the finger in the wind telling them the privatization of liquor stores is a winner politically?

Whatever the case, it is to be hoped that some loyal and forceful opposition will become the norm when Council is contemplating doing something outside its Charter prescribed duties  and obligations as well as when proposed legislation is inimical to the County's interests.