Next week the Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) will hold a public hearing to determine whether Pittsburgh should have its financially distressed status terminated. Under the law–Act 47 of 1987, which was amended by Act 199 of 2014–regarding “termination of status” the Secretary will have 90 days following the public hearing to issue an “…administrative determination of whether the termination of status is appropriate and reasons for the determination”.
Act 199 amended the factors to be considered by the Secretary from what was in the original statute. These are contained in section 255.1(c) of the statute and the rescission report by the coordinator addressed each in turn:
- Elimination of Operational Deficits
- Obligations to Finance Deficits Retired
- Significant Claims and Judgments Resolved
- Five Years of Projected Positive Operating Results
The determination of the Secretary can be appealed by any number of parties, including the governing body of the distressed municipality, creditors, or labor organizations.