Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato this afternoon blasted Republican members of County Council, accusing them of practicing "voodoo economics" because of their attempt to repeal the drink and car rental taxes tomorrow.

"If the Republicans on [County Council] want to reopen the budget and repeal the [drink tax and car rental tax] I'm ready for the fight," said Mr. Onorato, speaking at a press conference in his Allegheny County Courthouse office.

"They want me to give $28 million of property taxes to the Port Authority for the local match, and I won't do it. We're going to take this fight to the voters and we're going to have it out," he said.

To that end, he has tapped into his campaign war chest and started a phone bank to call residents in the districts of three Republican council members sponsoring legislation to re-open this year's budget and repeal the drink tax: Vince Gastgeb, R-Bethel Park, Matt Drozd, R-Ross and Jan Rea, R-McCandless. Chuck McCullough, R-Upper St. Clair, also sponsored the legislation.

The Republicans have proposed a repeal of the drink tax and use of future state gambling revenue to fund the county's $30 million subsidy of the Port Authority.

Mr. Drozd, denied access to the briefing, stood in the first floor foyer of Courthouse, pointed at Mr. Onorato's office and said, "This chief executive is mismanaging the county."

Mr. Drozd argued that as an elected official of the county, he had a right to attend the media briefing.

"This is a sad day for the citizens of Allegheny County," Mr. Drozd said.