Defending the Pittsburgh area taxpayers and businesses against the burdensome taxation and regulation of Big Government

Mission Statement

The Allegheny Institute is a non-profit research and education organization. Our mission is to defend the interests of taxpayers, citizens and businesses against an increasingly burdensome and intrusive government. To that end, we will formulate and advocate public policies that roll back the size and scope of local government as well as create a more accountable government. Our efforts will be guided by the principles of free enterprise, property rights, civil society and individual freedom that are the bedrock upon which this nation was founded.
The development community in Pittsburgh suddenly has become all complimentary of Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s decision to place a cap on an outrageously increased zoning review fee. But the reality is, that’s akin to lauding a highwayman for not taking all the money from the stagecoach he’s holding up. These...

Latest from AI

Accomplishments

Policy Briefs

vol23
No: 07

Summary: On Jan. 24 the mayor of Pittsburgh signed an executive order which directs two city departments to “begin a review of all tax-exempt properties to determine if properties currently designated as exempt from property taxes are owned by institutions of purely public charities and direct them to act on such information.” This is the most recent measure by the city to extract money, possibly through a payment-in-lieu of taxes (PILOT) arrangement, from large nonprofits.

vol23
No: 06

Summary: In early January, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) raised tolls on the entire roadway system for the 15th consecutive year. The annual increases will continue for the foreseeable future as the commission grapples with the enormous debt accumulated as a result of Act 44 of 2007.

Colin Mcnickle At Large

Op-Ed

New steps to retiring Turnpike Commission debt

vol23
No: 06

Immediate steps must be taken to begin reducing the legislatively spawned multibillion-dollar debt of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, concludes a new analysis by the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy.

“The state Legislature created this mess and should take steps to remedy the situation,” says Frank Gamrat, executive director of the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy.

The real & sobering story at PIT

vol23
No: 05

The Allegheny County Airport Authority continues to paint a rosy picture of rebounding passenger traffic
at Pittsburgh International Airport. “PIT travel roars back,” part of a headline blared recently on the
authority’s website.

But an analysis of the latest publicly available numbers – for November 2022 – shows the Findlay
Township airport continues to struggle to return to November 2019 pre-pandemic passenger levels, both
domestic and international, concludes the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy.

In The News

As Pittsburgh’s transit ridership plummets, workers get 13% raise
(The Center Square) – While Pittsburgh’s transit ridership has dropped dramatically since the pandemic, the latest union contract has given workers a wage boost and pandemic bonuses.
Boost in Pennsylvania tax revenues negated by inflation
(The Center Square) – Pennsylvania’s general fund revenues have stayed healthy, and may outpace 2021 by 4%. However, inflationary pressures that have driven up the costs of goods and services...
Pennsylvania counties adopt demolition fee to deal with blighted homes
(The Center Square) – A county-level demolition fee to address blighted properties is set to become a permanent fixture in dozens of Pennsylvania counties.

Blog

Office Vacancy Rate 2

ByRod Lacambra |

Metro Jobs 3

ByRod Lacambra |

Tax Exempt Rate

ByRod Lacambra |

Metro Jobs 2

ByRod Lacambra |

State Revenue 2

ByAllegheny Institute |

Gas Drilling at PIT

ByAllegheny Institute |