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Monday, April 15, 2002

By Milan Simonich, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

State Rep. Bill Robinson wanted to pass a law requiring Pitt and Penn State to play each other in football every fall.

	Bill Robinson

He says he cannot fathom why he, or any other Pennsylvanian, cannot see records on Penn State University coach Joe Paterno's salary and benefits. Given the fact that taxpayers help support the university, a spirit of openness regarding the football program's finances could only be healthy, Robinson said.

Now Robinson is pushing to create a state board to oversee every public construction project in the state that exceeds $4 million.

His idea for a stricter way to allot and control the use of taxpayers' money comes with the University of Pittsburgh seeking another $10 million for its Petersen Events Center, where the Panthers will play basketball.

The center's projected cost stands at $82 million, but almost certainly will rise.

Robinson says each of his battles, no matter how big or small, is aimed at getting the public a better break in its dealings with powerful enterprises that he calls "the sportsocracy."

	Profile Name: State Rep. Bill Robinson Date of birth: Feb. 5, 1942 Place of birth: Pittsburgh In the news: Robinson, D-Hill District, wants to establish a state board to oversee all publicly funded capital construction projects of $4 million or more. His idea for a mechanism to control costs was in place even before questions arose over the University of Pittsburgh's Petersen Events Center, whose projected price has risen from $52 million to $82 million. Taxpayers' share of the cost is now pegged at $53 million, up from an original estimate of $13 million. Quote: "I would say that, at the end of the day, we're talking about this project costing $120 million, or even $125 million." Education: Graduated from Schenley High School in 1960; bachelor's degree in political science, Ohio State University, 1964; master's degree in political science, Duquesne University, 1972. Family: Divorced, with two grown children, William II, 25, and Nyota, 22.

"What we see today is that sports is driving universities like Ohio State, Penn State, Arkansas and all the rest of the big ones," he said. "I'm paying attention to that to see how the public might benefit."

A Democrat from the Hill District, Robinson said the business of sport must not be immune from accountability. He is part of a group of area legislators that is seeking answers on the rising costs of Pitt's Petersen center.

Robinson is quick to say that he supports Pitt adding the recreation building and basketball arena to its campus. He even sees positives in the project, despite the escalating price.

"The university," he said, "should be commended for building this facility without disrupting the neighborhood."

But Robinson also said the public needs assurances that large-scale construction projects such as Pitt's will be well-planned, then monitored so that costs do not climb after the building begins.

Pitt's recreation center was listed as a $52 million project in 1997. The price has jumped by $30 million.

Taxpayers initially were told they would cover 25 percent -- or $13 million -- of the bill. Their share is up to $53 million, and the amount probably will grow.

"There's a concern about any major project where the taxpayers are asked to contribute money like that," Robinson said.

That is why he wants a state board dedicated to overseeing every state building project that exceeds the $4 million threshold. Robinson said his proposed system would better define the public's involvement in the beginning, then keep budgets from ballooning once construction started.

State Rep. Don Walko, D-North Side, said Robinson's idea makes sense.

"Given the fact that we have so many capital projects around the commonwealth, it's our duty to follow them carefully and understand what's happening with them," he said.

Like Robinson, Walko said he supports Pitt's recreation center.

"But I'm mystified by the lack of communication on this project," he said. "When you're dealing with public money, there should be accountability. Pitt should know that people like Bill Robinson will ask questions."

Robinson, 60, said sports venues are overrated in terms of the jobs and commerce they create.

"I don't think they are nearly the economic generator that the arts are," he said.

Even so, Robinson sees opportunities for the public to recapture some of its investment in schools through their sports programs.

That is why he introduced a bill to resume football games between Pitt and Penn State. The two stopped playing one another in 2000.

"I want them to renew their rivalry because it would be good for the commonwealth and the people here," Robinson said. "I don't understand why Pitt has to go out and play somebody else when people want to see a game against Penn State."

His bill, though, gathered no steam. He said he even told other legislators not to expend any political capital pushing his idea.

Robinson, though, still hopes the university presidents will do what's right and restart the Pitt-Penn State game. It would be a nice gesture, he said, toward Pennsylvania taxpayers who see their money funneled to the campuses in Pittsburgh and University Park.

Robinson did not set out to be a politician or a watchdog on the growing business of sport. His first ambition was to become a lawyer. After graduating from Ohio State University, Robinson enrolled at Howard University's law school. He did well, but his interest in law waned after a year or so. After Robinson quit law school, he found himself drawn to politics.

He served eight years on Pittsburgh City Council, and is in his 14th year as a state legislator.

His committee assignments -- tourism, recreation development, higher education and financial appropriations -- have helped mold his interest in better managing sports ventures that take public dollars.

"I'm not presuming that any of these universities are doing anything wrong," he said. "I'm just trying to see what we can do better."

Robinson also has a theory about why the price of Pitt's recreation center has jumped by $30 million without any detailed explanation.

"Perhaps some people are embarrassed at how much this project is costing from a labor standpoint," he said.