Merger Talk Ignores Pennsylvania Constitution and Laws

At a legislative hearing May 28, 2008, the County’s Chief Executive and Pittsburgh’s Mayor extolled the wonderful things that will happen when the two governments are merged into one. All the usual rhetoric was on display including this gem from the Mayor, ‘A city-county merger remains Southwestern Pennsylvania’s best hope or economic growth and survival in the years to come.’ This from the head of a City that cannot even merge its own planning functions and seems unable to take seriously the need to consolidate services with the County, a process that has been recommended by countless studies over the years. Continue