GOP elected officials quickly oppose Innamorato's proposed tax increase

By Steve Bohnel / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The at-large Republican member of Allegheny County Council and two state representatives have quickly opposed County Executive Sara Innamorato’s first proposed budget.

The proposal, made public on Tuesday, includes a 46% county property tax increase, which amounts to about $182 a year more for the median homeowner.

They are among the first to directly attack Ms. Innamorato’s proposed budget, which includes the property tax increase to eliminate a structural deficit and which will likely be fiercely debated between now and County Council’s final vote in December. 

At-large Republican Council Member Sam DeMarco on Wednesday said  the 2.2-mill increase, bringing the millage rate to 6.93, would hurt middle class and working families, along with those on fixed incomes.

“This is, pure and simple, a penalty imposed on families and seniors who invested in their homes, improved their properties, and are now expected to cover the new executive’s political agenda, an agenda that is thin on details and lacking in clear benefits to the people being asked to foot the bill,” Mr. DeMarco said in a prepared statement.

Rep. Valerie Gaydos, a Republican who represents parts of Allegheny County, also issued a statement Wednesday opposing Ms. Innamorato’s proposal.

“No more tax increases!” Ms. Gaydos said. “This is an outrageous burden on Allegheny County residents and businesses. In the middle of high inflation when families are already struggling to make ends meet, raising property taxes by nearly 50% is unacceptable. ... We can and should focus on lowering the tax burden and promoting economic growth without sacrificing essential services.”

State Rep. Jason Ortitay, a Republican who represents parts of Washington and Allegheny counties, also joined in criticizing the proposal.

“Seniors on fixed incomes have seen their retirement savings eroded by inflation, and this tax increase could push them past the point of no return,” he said in a statement. “Homeownership is going to be further out of reach, especially for those trying to buy their first home. Renters also could see a sharp increase in rent as landlords see their property taxes skyrocket and pass the increases on to their tenants if this proposal goes into effect.”

Officials said during a press briefing Tuesday that the county faces a deficit of more than $80 million by the end of 2024, and it is expected to grow to about $148 million in 2025. Ms. Innamorato said the millage rate proposal was needed to prevent harsh service cuts and employee layoffs. Local governments, police departments, fire services, educators and others all have asked county government for more assistance, she added.

“We need to make this revenue adjustment for the first time in more than a decade, to cover our deficits so that we can have that budget that people are asking us for,” Ms. Innamorato said. 

Supporters have agreed, and noted that it’s the first tax increase in the county since 2011. But others say the proposal is too high and that budget cuts should be considered before a tax increase is implemented.

County Council will have its say on the budget — at least 10 of the 15 members must agree to approve any property tax increase. 

Mr. DeMarco and Ms. Innamorato sparred after she outlined her budget plan to council on Tuesday. It  includes the operating, capital and grants and special accounts budgets.

Mr. DeMarco said understood that the county was facing a structural deficit, but he also asked whether officials had fully explored all potential austerity measures and ways to improve efficiencies.   

“We have to find a way to balance this,” Mr. DeMarco said. “Because you talk about all the challenges ... that the county is facing, but all the taxpayers at home are facing those very same challenges. The cost of gas is up, groceries are up, and rent is up.”

There will be three public hearings for residents to voice their thoughts on the budget proposal in the coming weeks.

Mr. Ortitay urged his constituents to get involved in that process, and Ms. Gaydos urged council members “to reject the Innamorato proposal and find real solutions that do not involve gouging property owners.”

Ms. Innamorato has the support of some Democrats on council, including at-large member Bethany Hallam, who told Post-Gazette news partner KDKA recently that a property tax increase was needed and that doing nothing would make the deficit even worse.