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Mayor Corey O’Connor announced a deal with healthcare giants UPMC and Highmark ([link removed]) that has long eluded Pittsburgh mayors. The two tax-exempt organizations have agreed to give the city a combined $45 million over the next five years to pay for fire and EMS vehicles.

The city badly needs the money and several recent mayors have tried different tactics to coax the nonprofits to pay the city. Both are among the largest owners of tax-exempt property in the city; UPMC alone would pay the city at least $13 million annually if its property were taxable.

In other news this week: Residents are wondering how the county can protect them from data center development ([link removed]) .

✍️ Newsletter written by Charlie Wolfson ([link removed]) ,

Public Source local government reporter & newsletter editor


** THIS WEEK’S STORIES
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UPMC and Highmark pledge $45 million over five years to Pittsburgh ([link removed]) — The city’s two health giants have long come under fire for their tax-exempt property empires.

Data center concerns have residents asking Allegheny County to step in, but its power may be limited ([link removed]) — As Allegheny County drafts a model zoning ordinance for sustainable data center development, residents are asking what safeguards are already in place if developers arrive first.

What does Pittsburgh’s mayor do all day? His public schedules offer a glimpse ([link removed]) — Corey O’Connor’s administration shares his public schedule daily. Here’s what it says about where he’s been and what he’s working on.


** ADVERTISEMENT
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Dance in the street on Sunday, June 28 and July 26! Hosted by BikePGH, OpenStreetsPGH is a free, all-ages community event featuring free fitness classes, activities, local vendors and opportunities to explore the city as thousands walk, bike, skate and connect on car-free streets. Plan your day: Route ([link removed]) | Schedule ([link removed]) | Getting Here ([link removed])

Tax diversion plan to fund Downtown renovation roils transit advocates ([link removed]) — Downtown has languished in the post-COVID virtual work environment. A plan to buoy it with tax revenue from new construction faces questions about transparency and equity.

‘Phenomenal’ plan for Century III Mall site could emerge soon ([link removed]) — Once a pioneering mall, Century III’s last wall has met the wrecking ball. A Chicago-based developer is eyeing the site, and a rebuild couldn’t come fast enough for West Mifflin’s ailing tax base.

Free food, shared cultures and a message of welcome in Beechview ([link removed]) — In one of Pittsburgh’s most visible Latino neighborhoods, a free World Refugee Day meal connected food access, cultural celebration and concerns over immigration enforcement.

Guest commentary: Pittsburgh wants more families, but state insurance laws make that harder ([link removed]) — Half of states mandate some form of insurance coverage for fertility treatment. Why doesn’t Pennsylvania, with its stagnant population, join them?

Pa. House passes $1.7B tax cut on electricity, reins in utility company profits ([link removed]) — The bill would establish a formula for ‘reasonable return’ on equity when utilities pursue rate hikes.
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Sponsored: She trusted her gut and called Clearview. That decision stopped a scam. ([link removed])


** IN OTHER NEWS
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→ Could carebots help solve Pennsylvania’s caregiver crisis? Ask Japan. ([link removed]) (WESA)

→ Venezuelans in Pittsburgh fear for families back home after major earthquakes ([link removed]) (TribLIVE)

→ Supreme Court clears way for Trump administration to revive restrictive policy for asylum seekers ([link removed]) (AP)


** TODAY IN HISTORY 📅
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Today is June 27.

15 years ago, 2011: Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted by a federal jury in Chicago of a wide range of corruption charges, including the allegation that he’d tried to sell or trade President Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat. (AP)

59 years ago, 1967: Barclays Bank unveiled the first automated teller machine (ATM) in the town of Enfield, north London. (AP)

115 years ago, 1911: Five men were injured at a Rankin wedding when 28-year-old Joe Korey, “a powerful foreigner of Donora,” attacked a late-arriving guest with a broken beer bottle over a years-old grudge. (Post-Gazette)


** LOCAL EVENTS
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🎻 Free symphony orchestra performances ([link removed]) July 3 and 5 | South Park and Hartwood Acres | Patriotic drone show included

🌉 Andy Warhol Bridge 100th Birthday Bash ([link removed]) 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday | Downtown and North Shore | Free

😂 DVE Comedy Festival ([link removed]) 8 p.m. June 27 | Byham Theater, Downtown

🚲 Open Streets ([link removed]) June 28 | Downtown and South Side | Free

🏳️‍🌈 Pride in the Park ([link removed]) 4-8 p.m. Monday | Allegheny RiverTrail Park, Aspinwall | Free

👋 Thanks for reading today’s newsletter! I hope you feel more informed about Pittsburgh and your community. For any questions or comments, feel free to email me at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
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Thank you to those who became supporters of Public Source’s journalism for June 15-22: Carolyn, David, Heather, Howard, Laurie, Leila, Lisa and Suzanne. Join them by giving today ([link removed]) .

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