Pittsburgh City Council voted today to keep the city's parking tax at 45 percent, potentially setting up a conflict with state law that requires a dip to 40 percent on Jan. 1.

The 8-1 vote, with Councilman William Peduto the only one in the negative, sends the binding ordinance to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl for consideration. The mayor has not said whether he will sign it.

A state law that governs a tax shift requires that the city lower the tax for the second straight year, but council has balked at that, since lot operators didn't lower rates following this year's reduction.

Councilman Jim Motznik's bill requires that the city dedicate the funds it keeps by maintaining the tax at the 45 percent rate to lowering its debts and pension obligations.

"Council's not going to take the money to pave streets or build tot lots," Mr. Motznik said.

He said he hopes the promise to spend tax revenue on pensions and debt will help ease the passage of a bill by state Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park, that would give the city authorization by the state to keep the tax at 45 percent. The law now requires a gradual reduction to 35 percent by 2010.

Mr. Motznik said he will travel to Harrisburg this week or next week to meet with state Sen. Jane Orie, R-McCandless, and Sen. John Pippy, R-Moon, to try to win their support.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.