Tag Archives: Chamber of Commerce

When reporters from around the world write about Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania during their visit in conjunction with the G-20 meeting, what will they say? Of course, with all the "redd up" activities and the swell parties being thrown and the constant barrage of positive spin from the Mayor and County Executive, it is expected that nothing but laudatory comments extolling Pittsburgh will be forthcoming.

On the other hand, reporters aren’t stupid. If they bother to read the local paper or watch local news broadcasts they will be well aware that not is all perfect in the workers’ paradise. For example, Pennsylvania has only a skeleton budget in place and has not funded its biggest expenditure item–education. Then too, it will not have escaped their notice that Pittsburgh’s finances, particularly its pension plans, are in shambles. And how about those Pittsburgh schools. Think that might have attracted some attention?

Lastly, can it have slipped under the radar how public sector unions threw their weight around in Harrisburg to scuttle what was a tentative first step to help municipalities cope with severe pension funding problems?

Reporters who do not simply run with the self serving handouts from the Mayor’s office and the Chamber of Commerce will undoubtedly find some of the unattractive sides of Pennsylvania’s and Pittsburgh’s governance. The City might be physically improved and have great cultural and higher educational facilities but the inability to govern itself prudently is a far more compelling story for a real journalist.