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Pittsburgh City Council gives final approval to billboard tax
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Pittsburgh City Council approved unanimously to a 10 percent tax on billboard proceeds -- a bill that could spark a legal battle with the Lamar billboard company.
Jonathan Kamin, attorney for Lamar, called the tax illegal and asked again to take the legislation off the table. He said the company likely would file suit to challenge the tax.
Lamar in recent weeks criticized the bill's sponsors, Council President Darlene Harris and Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak, in a series of billboard advertisements across the city.
Mrs. Harris this morning said cith needs the tax to add needed revenues.
"This is not the only bill that will be brought up to enhance our budget," she said, without elaborating.
Then-Councilman Doug Shields introduced legislation for the tax last year, but the bill died after council members realized they had not property advertised the proposal.
Mrs. Harris and Ms. Rudiak re-introduced the measure in September.
Officials estimated that the tax could generate $2 million to $4 million annually.
First Published November 27, 2012 11:06 am
