Charlie Wolfson

2 days ago | publicsource.org | Charlie Wolfson

Both the Democratic contenders for mayor of Pittsburgh are benefitting from third-party groups buying ads and paying for canvassers, a source of support unbound by restrictive campaign donation limits, new records show. Incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor have each benefited from more than $600,000 in spending from independent groups supporting their candidacies.

1 week ago | publicsource.org | Charlie Wolfson

Pittsburgh and Allegheny County could lose out on $25 million annually under President Donald Trump’s proposal to slash a 50-year-old grant program, part of a White House plan to cut domestic spending by more than 20% while increasing defense spending.

2 weeks ago | publicsource.org | Charlie Wolfson

Pittsburgh’s two Democratic candidates for mayor showed little ideological difference during a debate Downtown Tuesday night, both embracing platforms of securing the city’s finances, creating more affordable housing, promoting clean air and water and stabilizing the city’s police force. The debate at the Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University featured few back-and-forth disputes and none of the animosity that characterized some encounters during this campaign season.

2 weeks ago | publicsource.org | Charlie Wolfson

Weeks from the May 20 primary elections, affordable housing has emerged as a heated debate topic between the Democratic contenders for Pittsburgh mayor, incumbent Ed Gainey and County Controller Corey O’Connor. Gainey and O’Connor have argued in recent weeks over how much housing has been built in the city under Gainey’s leadership, which began in 2022, and whether the mayor has done enough. One thing the pair agree on: Pittsburgh is in need of more affordable housing.

3 weeks ago | publicsource.org | Charlie Wolfson

The City of Pittsburgh saw increasing payroll costs last year, with the biggest rises coming outside of regular salaries, in back pay, negotiated longevity pay for first responders and other benefit payments. The city gave its employees almost 40% more in what it termed “bonus” pay according to data provided to PublicSource in response to a public records request, though much of the funds were not bonuses in the traditional sense.