County Council President To Call Special Session For Port Authority Cuts

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Allegheny County Council President Jim Burn will call a special council session as early as Tuesday about the Port Authority Service cuts.

Burn thinks they can identify $6-$8 million dollars in funding that can be transfered to the Port Authority.

He said it's never been done, but that they can legislate it.

Beyond that, the Port Authority board would have to reopen negotiations with the union to try to identify more concessions to would meet the $20 million level set by Dan Onorato.

The county would have come up with the other $10 million to fill the $30 million dollar deficit.

In addition, State Rep. Chelsa Wagner has introduced a bill to allow the House, Senate and Gov. Tom Corbett to appoint a majority of the Port Authority board because the state provides 60 percent of the funding for the Port Authority.

Right now, the county executive appoints all nine members and holds most of the influence as was seen by Onorato's rejection of the offer of concessions by the union.

RELATED LINKS:
Port Authority
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85

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