County wide petition that both hunters and PETA would sign

A petition to be sent to County Executive Rich Fitzgerald's office seeking a ban on trap-and-kill culling in Allegheny County was presented to the Commission last night. The resident asked if the Commission would like to sign it. Vice President Kelly Fraasch did, and some in the crowd loudly clapped. She was the only one who would sign it. Silverman and Bendel aren't feeling very sorry about their horrific plan.

The petition shared with the commission and those in attendance at the meeting last night is available here. It is available to download and distribute among Allegheny County residents.  Supporters must be at least 18 years old and reside in Allegheny County. 

Not again!!!!

The county is considering another property tax increase next year. We just had a 21% tax increase this year. Seems as though the county wants to have a rainy day fund. To do this, the county may be:

• Making renewed efforts to collect county debts, including back taxes.
• Raising fees for use of county facilities like sports fields and golf courses.
• Reducing or eliminating the discount period for paying property taxes early.
• Cutting or eliminating the $15,000 homestead exemption.
• Raising taxes for 2013 by as much as another mill.

Here in Mt. Lebanon, our rainy day fund may be used to turf a field for rainy days. We do have that other rainy day fund called the stormwater fee.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/region/allegheny-county-could-face-another-tax-increase-councilman-warns-634776/

How much did your county taxes go up?

The Allegheny County Assessment website has been updated with the 2012 taxes. Look up your home here.  http://www2.county.allegheny.pa.us/realestate/Search.aspx

Allegheny County Considers Legal Action in Reassessment Moratorium

Legislation that is allowing Washington County to put the brakes on its real estate reassessment has Allegheny County officials in an uproar and investigating their legal options.

Council President Jim Burn said the county is pushing back on the legislation signed into law last week that allows a reassessment moratorium only for Washington County.
The state House originally passed a bill that would grant a moratorium for all counties, but it was changed in the Senate to only include Washington County. State officials said Allegheny County was excluded because the reassessment process was too far along to be stopped.

Read more: Allegheny County Considers Legal Action in Reassessment Moratorium
                  Allegheny County may challenge reassessment again