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PrintI am, frankly, tired of Pittsburgh being the nation's poster child for dysfunctional local government. That's our reputation and it has to change.
The good news is that a recently announced proposal -- combined with historic political will, legislative action and citizen support -- gives us the chance to build both our reputation and a stronger economic future.
Pittsburgh is my hometown. I was born and raised here and started my career here. My wife Ginny and I raised our family here and have shared in this region's ups and downs over the years.
As governor, I had first-hand experience with the role that effective and efficient government must play in promoting economic development and job growth.
Early in my first term, we experienced wrenching change in our commonwealth economy. Many of us recall those difficult days; heavy industry employment plummeted in Pittsburgh and other parts of the state. My administration worked in partnership with private industry and our educational institutions to start diversifying our employment base by growing high-tech jobs. We tightened our budgetary belt, cut taxes, created a "rainy day" fund and reduced the state's workforce by eliminating 15,000 unnecessary positions.
Over the next several years, we saw the gradual transformation and growth of our economy begin. Today, there are 70,000 more jobs in the Pittsburgh region than there were at the peak of industrial employment 25 years ago.
Through that experience and others, I learned about the importance of unified government leadership in making change and moving forward. Fragmented government inevitably produces fragmented decision-making, and business leaders and investors who are looking for opportunities want to hear a community speak with one voice.
Right now, our two largest local governments -- the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County -- have fragmented leadership and overlapping services and are not speaking with that single voice in the growing clamor of the global economy.
Earlier this month, University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark Nordenberg and the Citizens Advisory Committee on the Efficiency and Effectiveness of City-County Government issued their "Government for Growth" report, providing a framework for remaking our city and county governments. Mr. Nordenberg and the committee members, who represent a cross-section of our community, deserve our gratitude for their dedication and hard work.
The most far-reaching of the committee's recommendations -- that the ballot question of combining the two governments be put before the voters at the earliest possible time -- was received with enthusiasm by both Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato. They announced their support and proposed a bold, ambitious timetable for moving the question to a vote in 2009.
At the same time, both Mr. Ravenstahl and Mr. Onorato said they are prepared to give up their respective elected positions to create a new, unified Greater Pittsburgh. Saying "we must change if we are to grow again," the mayor also stated that if combining the two governments means that he is to be "the last mayor of the city of Pittsburgh, so be it."
Mr. Onorato spoke of creating a "new mayor of Greater Pittsburgh." He said, "It's not about the next [political] race, it's about the next 100 years."
As voters and citizens we can ask for no greater commitment of political will to this history-making change in our community. Mr. Ravenstahl and Mr. Onorato deserve our gratitude for their vision and leadership.
Now, we are at the next step. In the coming weeks, our community will go to Harrisburg to gain the support of our state lawmakers for legislation that would permit the question of a combined Greater Pittsburgh government to be put on the ballot.
Our legislators have stepped up in the past to reform local government. Just 10 years ago this spring, the voters approved a complete overhaul of Allegheny County government, replacing the antiquated three-commissioner system with a home-rule charter, a county chief executive and a part-time County Council. That referendum question was put before the voters through enabling legislation passed by the General Assembly.
In this -- our 250th anniversary year -- we ask our state legislators to match the commitment of Mr. Nordenberg, the Citizens Advisory Committee, Mr. Ravenstahl and Mr. Onorato in working together to forge Greater Pittsburgh -- a unified, effective and efficient government that can promote our many strengths with a single voice in the worldwide competition for jobs and economic growth.
It is time to make history -- together.
