Allegheny Institute Activities and Accomplishments
The Allegheny Institute continues to be a leading voice for conservative, free market, freedom enhancing policies in Western Pennsylvania and increasingly across the Commonwealth. Throughout our history, we have been very successful in focusing policy debates to reflect the principles of the founding fathers and look forward to continuing the defense of taxpayer interests, citizens, and businesses against an increasingly burdensome and intrusive government. A partial list of our accomplishments include:
With our research on local government pension plans across Pennsylvania, especially in Pittsburgh, we have shed light to a potential financial disaster facing not only the City but the Commonwealth. The resulting full-length report and Policy Brief has garnered media attention and has brought this topic to the fore of political discussion.
With a series of Policy Briefs and an editorial, the Allegheny Institute continued to point out the deficiencies of the County’s plans to do accurate assessments and advocated that the County move away from the base year system to make sure that assessments be as fair and accurate as possible. It also pushed to redirect the attention from assessments to the cost of government and schools which drives the level of property taxation that has become so onerous in Allegheny County.
With research that includes two Policy Briefs, editorials, and numerous news media appearances, the Allegheny Institute continues to oppose the misuse of tax increment financing for projects such as the PNC Tower TIF and Victory Center in Washington County.
Featured speaker at the Allegheny League of Municipalities discussing population losses in Allegheny County and what remedies would be effective in reversing the trend.
The Allegheny Institute, through a strong advocacy campaign that included numerous media interviews and Policy Briefs, was successful in keeping direct taxpayer contribution out of a new hockey arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Through an aggressive research and advocacy campaign that included numerous Policy Briefs and reports over the years, we were able bring pressure on the Port Authority of Allegheny County to begin reducing the workforce and implement some spending cuts.
Conducted research on Pennsylvania’s business tax climate that documents the high level of taxation faced by businesses and how they impede economic growth in the Commonwealth. The resulting full-length report called on the Governor and Legislature to implement reforms such as eliminating the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax as well as reducing the Corporate Net Income Tax and moving to a single-sales factor apportionment of corporate income.
Presenter in debate on a possible City-County merger at the Inaugural Marcella Finegold Debate Series at the University of Pittsburgh.
Allegheny Institute Policy Brief on city-county mergers has been reprinted by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania as well as by the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors for their monthly publications.
The Allegheny Institute hosted a debate on global warming on the campus of co-sponsor Duquesne University. The topic, Is Human Activity Causing Global Warming? featured renowned scientists Dr. Fred Singer and Dr. Charles Keller.
The Policy Brief list is growing steadily, to over 1,200 subscribers, including all state legislators, many local elected officials and many highly influential civic and corporate leaders. Issues of the Policy Brief have been cited in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate during debates.
In 2007, we launched a new publication, Issue Summaries, which summarize our extensive works on state and local policy issues such as Pittsburgh Public Schools, mandated wages, tax increment financing, and City finances. The summaries which outline an issue, what we know about the topic, as well as our recommended solutions have been very successful.
Produce a 30 minute monthly radio show at KQV. The Allegheny Institute Report is an interview program featuring elected officials and key civic leaders to inform listeners about current issues and provide a conservative viewpoint on the important topics facing the community.
Institute publications have been cited on scores of occasions by the print and electronic media and Institute staff members are interviewed many times each month. Institute personnel are quoted virtually every week in the region’s newspapers. Institute staff are quoted dozens of times in smaller regional papers as well as in major out-of-state and out-of-region newspaper stories.
Institute staff published many feature length newspaper editiorals.
Institute staff provided data and background information to reporters on a variety of issues.
The Allegheny Institute web site is averaging about 3,500 hits per day during the year. These hits come from all over the world. We have had hits from countries around the world such as China, Czech Republic, Canada, and New Zealand.
The Allegheny Institute Blog, debuting in January 2006, has been highly successful in allowing us to respond quickly to topics of concern. So far, we have published hundreds of blog entries.
In general, the Institute's biggest accomplishment has been the quantum leap in our acceptence by important elected officials as a major source of information and opinion concerning public policies.
In the Allegheny Institute's short history, it has enjoyed a remarkable record of achievement. Some highlights include:
Institute President Jake Haulk was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, a state-appointed oversight board which will oversee City operations.
The Institute worked closely with key Allegheny County Legislators to develop a more taxpayer friendly bailout package for Pittsburgh. Many Institute recommendations were included in final legislative package. Including:
Diverting revenues from the school to the City and launching a state investigation into school finances.
Forbidding RAD money intended for tax relief from being used to service bond debt.
Limiting the occupation privilege tax increase.
Limiting the bailout's additional revenues to force more spending cuts.
With research that included two Policy Briefs, an editorial, and numerous news media appearances, the Allegheny Institute shed light on a $4 million state taxpayer subsidy given to build a private amphitheater on the North Side. That money has subsequently been withdrawn.
The Allegheny Institute continues to research and publish Policy Briefs that bring attention to the high-cost and low performance of the public school system in Pennsylvania, most notably the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Our work played a role in the Pennsylvania Senate commissioning an external performance audit of Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Our work on Pittsburgh's financial problems has been used extensively by the General Assembly in drafting oversight board legislation that precludes new taxing authority for the City.
Our work has prompted the drafting of legislation that will reform the binding arbitration laws in Pennsylvania to make them fair and balanced as opposed to the current law which is tilted heavily in favor of unions.
Our research and publications were key in stopping proposed Allegheny County car rental tax legislation.
By writing reports, Policy Briefs, and providing testimony, the Allegheny Institute played a major role in the Public Utility Commission's decision to grant an operating license to a new taxicab company that could lead to more competition in the Pittsburgh market.
Our intense and well argued opposition to the Allegheny County car rental tax provided ammunition for local legislators who were able to keep the tax from getting enacted.
Through a heavy campaign of testimony, editorials and Policy Briefs, the Institute had a direct impact on the defeat of a tax increment financing plan for the upscale Galleria Mall in Mt. Lebanon.
Published a full report, Policy Brief and held a press conference to outline a private financing plan to build a new arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Upon receiving the plan, the Sports and Exhibition Authority, requested and received a 30-day extension from the team to produce its own plan which then adopted several of our recommendations.
By publishing Policy Briefs and several op-ed pieces that illuminated the high cost and low performance of Pittsburgh City schools, the Allegheny Institute helped to focus the community on the true situation of the school system which has led to the foundation community's withdraw of funds pending an overview of the districts programs and operations.
Played a major role in the referendum defeat of a proposed stadium tax in Western Pennsylvania
Publicized and promoted the concept of privatization and competititve contracting of government services as a cost reducing option.
Wrote a Taxpayer Bill of Rights for Allegheny County's Home Rule Charter drafting committee for inclusion in the charter.
Worked successfully to help shape and encourage electricity de-regulation in Pennsylvania.
Helped preserve the aggregates dredging industry in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Contributed heavily to the recent defeat of the 'Living Wage' in Allegheny County and subsequently in the City of Pittsburgh.
Was a key player in stopping the City of Pittsburgh from exercising eminent domain to take numerous properties for private redevelopment.
Wrote a definitive report on Tax Increment Financing which has been published in two national professional journals and was used to draft the Allegheny County government's guidelines for participation in Tax Increment Financing of projects.
Defended entrepreneurs against unfair government practices.
Produced over 100 full-length reports on subjects ranging from airline mergers to economic freedom in Pennsylvania to row office patronage and welfare to work programs.
Testified on dozens of occasions before state and local legislative and administrative bodies on key issues such as electricity deregulation, tax reform, airline pricing, educational standards, the Allegheny County Home Rule Charter, Keystone Opportunity Zones, eminent domain, economic development, and education funding.
Developed and carried out a monitoring and evaluation program for Pennsylvania's Keystone Opportunity Zones program.
Published a definitive report on the value and importance of Inland Navigation for the National Waterways Conference which has received wide attention by policy makers and the navigation industry.
Authored dozens of feature op-ed pieces for major newspapers, including works on airline and airport issues for national publication.
Sponsored and brought the first voter initiative for legislation to the Allegheny County Council as permitted by the new Home Rule Charter.
Published hundreds of incisive briefs on local issues.
Hosted events featuring nationally known speakers including Steve Forbes, Alan Keyes, Marvin Olasky, Charles Murray, Dinesh D'Souza, John Fund, Steve Goldsmith Joel Kotkin, and David Horowitz.
Looking to the near future, the Allegheny Institute will:
Push strongly for important initiatives to improve academic performance in Pittsburgh Schools, ideas which will have statewide implications.
Evaluate and recommend infrastructure improvements in the region.
Analyze and evaluate the new convention center
Continue to monitor the status of USAirways and the impact of any changes in the airline industry on Pittsburgh International Airport and the economy of the region.
Research and publicize the negative economic effects of government-mandated wages and project labor agreements.
Study and provide advocacy for appropriate and needed tax and school funding reform locally and in Pennsylvania.
Analyze and report on the budgetary problems of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
Monitor and analyze economic development and growth strategies.
The Allegheny Institute has extensive general as well as specific knowledge on the issues facing Southwestern Pennsylvania and the state as a whole. The staff of the Institute is versatile in having a broad skill base and is very nimble in its ability to grab topics while they are hot and insert itself into the public debate quickly. Thus, every issue of major importance to government operations or economic well-being comes under scrutiny by the Institute. Where necessary advocacy positions are taken, backed by careful and thoughtful analysis.
It is the intention and purpose of the Allegheny Institute to remain in the forefront of helping to mold public opinion and guide legislative actions toward a free market, small government and low-tax approach to governing.
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