Latest news with #EdGainey
Bloomberg
5 days ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Festivals and Parades Are Canceled Amid US Immigration Anxiety
Pittsburgh had planned to host its first-ever local World Cup this summer, a community soccer competition inspired by the global tournament and aimed at celebrating the city's cultural diversity. The weeks-long event, which was set to begin in June, would have featured teams made up of residents from the city's vast immigrant community, who'd play under the flags of their national origins. But city officials called off the games amid growing anxieties over President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. The city also canceled its annual International Parade and Festival, which previously brought out vendors and performers from dozens of cultural groups. In a statement from Mayor Ed Gainey's office to Bloomberg, spokesperson Olga George said both events were canceled out of 'an abundance of caution' after consulting with residents and community stakeholders.
CBS News
12-08-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Examining the budget challenges Pittsburgh is facing
Pittsburgh City Controller Rachael Heisler called the city's fiscal condition "precarious" last month, and Mayor Ed Gainey's administration concedes the concerns are real. KDKA Lead Investigator Andy Sheehan examines how daunting the challenges facing the city are. The city has a fleet of vehicles on its last legs and drastic understaffing, resulting in burnout and runaway overtime. The city is struggling to find the funds to protect the public's safety and provide basic services. The problems are citywide, but can best be seen in the struggles of the city's EMS services. "If you're having a medical event, or I'm having a medical event, do you want an ambulance that's older than the Bush administration to pick you up?" Heisler said. At EMS, several frontline ambulances are out for repairs, forcing EMTs and paramedics to use older, less reliable units in their place. Citywide, that goes for police cars, garbage compactors and public works trucks. But while the city's Equipment Leasing Authority says $200 million is needed for new vehicles, the city projects spending only $3 million a year for the next five years. "The fleet situation is a crisis now," Heisler said. Then there's staffing and overtime. A shortage of EMTs and paramedics means shuttered medic stations and round-the-clock shifts as they try to respond to 65,000 calls a year. In recent years, some paramedics have made upwards of $200,000 to $300,000. Ninety-five workers make more than $100,000, mostly in forced overtime. But this year is worse than ever. The bureau has spent $4.2 million in overtime and premium pay, 119 percent of the money budgeted for the entire year. Citywide, 77 percent of the overtime budget has already been spent, and Heisler projects the city will need to shell out $20 million over budget in overtime to meet everyday demands. "That is a significant increase and unsustainable," Heisler said. The demands just continue to grow as the city struggles to financially meet them. Currently, three major bridges are shut down for repair: one is funded, but the other two are not. At the same time, sources of revenue are drying up. The city has spent nearly all of its federal COVID relief funds, and since the pandemic assessments on Downtown office buildings have plummeted, a quarter of the real estate tax base has been cut in half. Still, the outgoing Gainey administration says it is up to the task. "The situation is certainly one that requires prudent management and careful consideration," Deputy Mayor Jake Pawlak said. "I wouldn't describe it as a crisis. I'd describe it as challenges we've been preparing for." Pawlak concedes that for now, the city's needs are outpacing its ability to pay for them, but it is maintaining a healthy surplus, hasn't been running deficits and has a good bond rating. He says the Gainey administration has been addressing problems like the fleet by using $20 million in COVID funds to buy new vehicles. It is trying to recruit more police and train EMTs in-house to increase staffing and change work rules in union negotiations to rein in overtime. "It is a challenge that is perfectly manageable within normal administrative tools to manage spending," Pawlak said.
CBS News
04-08-2025
- CBS News
Pittsburgh police looking for "person of interest" in Downtown shooting
Pittsburgh police are looking for a suspect in connection with Friday's shooting in Downtown Pittsburgh. Police released photos of the man they're looking for, and they're asking for the public's help in order to locate and identify him. He's being called a person of interest. The shooting, which took place in the area of Penn Avenue and Garrison Place, left two people injured. Penn Avenue was closed as police investigated. A woman was shot on the sidewalk in the lower leg, while a man was shot in the arm and the leg. He was located a block away. Police say the suspect ran down Garrison Place toward Liberty Avenue. "No one wants to see violence of any kind in our neighborhoods, especially acts that put lives at risk," Mayor Ed Gainey said, in part, in a statement. "Let me be clear: there is no place for this kind of behavior in our city." If you have any information, you are asked to contact Pittsburgh police.
CBS News
03-08-2025
- General
- CBS News
Pittsburgh kicks off National Farmers Market Week
The city of Pittsburgh is kicking off National Farmers Market Week, and to celebrate, the city is holding festivities throughout the area. The annual event is held to show the essential role that farmers' markets play in local economies and support healthy lifestyles. Festivities run from Sunday, Aug. 3, through Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. Throughout the week, Pittsburghers can enjoy live music, yoga, family-friendly activities, and giveaways in addition to the locally grown food. "Farmers' markets are part of what makes our city vibrant," said Mayor Ed Gainey. "They bring people together, support our local growers, and create a sense of belonging in every neighborhood they touch." A full schedule of events can be found below. Brookline - SNAP Match not currently available*Dates: Sundays, June 1 – Nov. 2 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 1017 Brookline Blvd, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15226 Squirrel Hill - CitiParks Dates: Sundays, May 11 – Dec. 21 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 Beacon/Bartlett parking lot, parallel to Murray Ave. East End - CitiParks Dates: Mondays, June 2 – Nov. 17 Time: 3:00 - 7:00 Liberty Green Park, Larimer Ave. Lawrenceville Dates: Tuesdays, May 20 – Nov. 25 Time: 3:00 – 7:00 Bay 41, 115 41st Street. Carrick - CitiParks Dates: Wednesdays, June 4 – Nov. 19 Times: 3:00 – 7:00 Carrick Dairy District, 1529 Brownsville Rd. Mount Washington Dates: Wednesdays, June 4 – Nov. 19 Times: 3:00 – 7:00 St. Mary of the Mount Church Parking Lot, 403 Grandview Ave. Shiloh Farm Stand - SNAP Match not currently available* Dates: Thursdays, May 15 – Oct. 30 Time: 2:30 – 6:30 Intersection of Thomas Blvd. & Homewood Ave. Northside - CitiParks Dates: Fridays, May 16 – Nov. 21 Time: 3:00 – 7:00 Allegheny Commons Park, North Ave. & Cedar Ave. Bloomfield Dates: Saturdays, May 3 – Nov. 22 Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Location: 5050 Liberty Ave. East Liberty Cooperative - SNAP Match not currently available* Dates: Saturdays, Year-Round Time: 5:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 344 Sheridan Ave. Homewood Market - SNAP Match not currently available* Dates: Saturdays, June 7 – Oct. 25 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
CBS News
01-08-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Trash pickup problems lead to finger-pointing in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh residents have seen trash delays over the last couple of weeks. As a result, it has turned to finger-pointing between Mayor Ed Gainey's office and City Controller Rachael Heisler's office. At this point, it's well documented that the city's fleet is old. That includes the city garbage trucks. City data says about two-thirds of the trucks were at the city garage for repairs in July. Pittsburgh Public Works Director Chris Hornstein said they've been down eight to 10 trucks a day over the past few weeks. "With the extreme heat, with the lack of available trucks, it's impossible for us to get everybody's trash on a timely basis like we normally strive to achieve," Hornstein said. Pittsburgh Public Works said it should have 48 trucks each day and needs overtime to fill the gaps. Now, the mayor's office is accusing the city controller of withholding payment to the city's repair vendor, slowing down the process. Heisler said nothing could be further from the truth. She said invoices have been vague and do not detail what the city paid for in the first six months of the year. "And we thought that it was prudent to ask for documentation like you or I would ask if we went into the car dealership," Heisler said. Each month, the invoice has asked for almost $707,000. Heisler's office wanted the documentation to ensure the amount was accurate. "We are paying for actuals. I am not paying above and beyond what we need to pay. I don't believe the city should pay for services it didn't receive," Heisler said. Hornstein argues that is not how the contract works, and her office is withholding money from the vendor doing the work. He feels they should have talked this out to avoid this mess. "I easily think that we could have found a savings without having employee injury and burdening residents with missed pickups," Hornstein said. According to Heisler, the contract said payments should reflect actual cost, not just a flat rate without documentation. Her office says over the first six months of the year, they've saved taxpayers more than $405,000. "Until we invest in this problem, it's not going to get better," Heisler said. Hornstein said that would, at best, buy one new truck, which usually costs about $500,000. He said six to seven trucks need to be replaced each year. "Forgoing payment in the hopes of being able to purchase one more new truck is actually creating harm right now," Hornstein said. Earlier this week, Pittsburgh City Council approved a move to get an annual fleet report.
