County Executive Watch

Maybe you're not a political junkie like I am, but you still want to catch up on the latest scoop about the candidates who seek to lead you as Allegheny County Executive next year.  Let me share with you what articles and resources I found the most intriguing over the past week. . . .

Reassessment Continues to Dominate REALTOR® Concerns

RAMP's Panel on Reassessment enjoyed a full audience of REALTORS® to hear directly from County Chief Executive candidates Rich Fitzgerald and Raja, County Council Member Vince Gastgeb and State Senator and REALTOR® Wayne Fontana on Friday, September 30th.  Click here for a great P-G article recapping their comments, which included support for statewide reassessment instead of just Allegheny County being singled out.  The feedback from those who joined us has been outstanding!  I hope you were part of the group assembled to listen to their responses to REALTOR® questions, and interact with our panelists afterwards at the reception hosted by our own YPN chapter.  Did you know the County has fallen dramatically behind on assessment of commercial properties?  Click here to read about it.  The valuation of commercial properties attracted several pertinent questions and responses during the panel. . .  .

Your Questions - We Want Them!

RAMP's Panel on Reassessment will kick off our celebration of Centennial Weekend at the Annual Meeting this Friday, September 30th @ 3:00 p.m..  Giving their thoughts, their musings, and reading the tea leaves on what the future holds for Allegheny County and its property taxpayers are our guests: State Senator and REALTOR® Wayne Fontana, County Council Member Vince Gastgeb, Raja, and Rich Fitzgerald.  Property taxes and the reassessment are the top issue in our local general election.  With only six weeks to go, the stakes keep getting raised higher and higher, and the media coverage of the campaigns updated frequently. . . 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Pittsburgh REALTORS® Celebrate 100 Years on September 30 and October 1, 2011

Pittsburgh REALTORS® Celebrate 100 Years A Weekend of Events Commemorates the Centennial PITTSBURGH (September 22, 2011)  - The 2,100-member REALTORS® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh (RAMP) is celebrating 100 years of serving the real estate needs of our area’s families and businesses with a Centennial Weekend Celebration comprised of four events spanning two days. Centennial Weekend Celebration FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 3:00 to 4:30 P.M. - Annual Meeting and Membership Awards | Penn Brewery at 800 Vinial Street on the North Side The featured presentation is a Panel Discussion of Allegheny County’s Property Reassessment. Panelists include Rich Fitzgerald, Democratic Nominee for Allegheny County Chief Executive; Raja, Republican Nominee for Allegheny County Chief Executive; Wayne Fontana, Pennsylvania State Senator and REALTOR® member of RAMP; and Vince Gastgeb, Allegheny County Council Member for District 5. 4:30 to 7:00 P.M. - Centennial Weekend Kick-Off Reception | ...

Allegheny County's Property Valuation Storm

Pushing back the timeline for new property valuations might have solved a certain timing issue for Allegheny County and those running for the plum job of County Chief Executive, but one gets the feeling that Judge Wettick is not quite so keen on the idea.  Judge Wettick expressed concern last week over how the delay in valuations will affect entities such as the City of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Public Schools, which operate budgets on a calendar year and therefore collect taxes by May.  This differs from many suburban municipalities and school districts, which are more likely to pass budgets in the summer months or mid-year.  With certification of the new values now not being settled until April 2012, the delay may cost the city and school district hundreds of thousands of dollars for loans to cover their operating costs. . . .

Dip Your Toes, Then Dive In

RAMP Government Affairs hasn't been shy about its enthusiasm for the upcoming general election, where local races will permeate the ballot.  But even for those of us who live and breathe politics, trying to learn about the candidates and decide who is worthy of our precious vote can still be a daunting task.  Unlike national or even state-level candidates for office, resources may not be as available, as positions not as widely-publicized.  Factor in the high level of government fragmentation in Allegheny County, and it's no wonder some voters are overwhelmed and not sure where to begin.  Among the distinguished panelists for our upcoming Annual Meeting on September 30th, are the two candidates for Allegheny County Chief Executive.  So let's start there . . . how do Raja and Rich Fitzgerald view issues that REALTORS® care intimately about?  We can begin by taking a look at policy positions on their web sites . . .

Come to Listen, Come to Learn, Come with Questions

The excitement and anticipation are growing as the days tick closer to our Annual Meeting, during Centennial Weekend.  Against the backdrop of governmental budget worries and pocketbook apprehension, local residents are anxiously watching as municipalities and school districts make decisions on what to cut, what to raise, and how to fund it.  REALTORS® are wondering what the reassessment means to their clients, and themselves.  Add into the recipe the biggest local election in a decade for the job of Allegheny County’s next County Chief Executive being waged.  What could be more timely than being our guest on at RAMP’s Annual Meeting?  RAMP REALTORS® want to hear from the local politicians and state legislators on how they read the tea leaves.  RAMP Government Affairs is pleased to confirm the following elected officials will be on our Reassessment Panel . . .