On Monday some 100 residents and organizations attended and testified at a City Council Public Hearing demanding increased transparency and accountability through the City of Pittsburgh’s Budgeting Process. A rally was organized by the Economic Justice Circle to propose a series of improvements to the City’s budgeting process. It provided the perfect platform for residents to continue highlighting concerns they’ve raised for years around the lack of transparency surrounding the Mon Oakland Connector project.
Residents demanded that the public money going to construct the multi-million dollar MOC roadway through Schenley park instead be invested in the solutions put forward by the community. These solutions focus on transit improvement, pedestrian safety, and bike connections. More than 20 organizations and 650 residents have signed on to this plan titled: Our Money. Our Solutions.
Through this advocacy, residents were successful in moving Councilmembers O’Connor and Strassberger to commit to introducing a resolution to examine the cost of these solutions. Once costs have been identified residents will continue working to move money away from the MOC and towards their needs.
See these news stories for more background on the action, the project, and resident demands. Reach out to get involved:
- WESA report by Margaret J. Krauss: ‘It’s A Moral Document’: Pittsburgh Residents Want City Budget To Be More Accountable
- City Paper story by Ryan Deto: Hazelwood and Greenfield need flood protection and pedestrian infrastructure, not a multi-million dollar driverless shuttle, say residents and advocates
- Post Gazette story reported bg by a Union Worker: Activists seek to sway city budget process
- PublicSource story by Nicole Brambila: Pittsburgh City Council is considering the first city budget in more than a decade without state oversight
- WPXI story by Mike Holden: Opponents testify Monday over Pittsburgh mass transit project
