Today we have learned that the non profits in the City of Pittsburgh have declined to voluntarily pay the City of Pittsburgh a payment towards public services in lieu of a tax payment.
These are the same non profits such as UPMC that have DECLINED treatment to the the Cititzens of Pittsburgh that have NO HEALTHCARE.
During the recent SUPER BOWL celebration - THE NATION - witnessed live television reports of the non for profit; "UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH" student body take over public streets and cause tens of thousands of damage and cost city taxpayers close to a half million dollars in public safety overtime.
Imagine this, your grandmother lives in Oakland, and on a friday night she had a heart attack, at the same time; some drunk college freshman has too much to drink. Depending on who calls 911 first, your grandmother dies because some frat brat drank too much?
The non profits of the City of Pittsburgh approached the City with the concept of a payment in lieu of taxes to prevent the state legislature for legislating a tax on these entitities.
MESSAGE TO HARRISBURG: Forget the in lieu of payment... TAX THESE NON PROFITS THAT NEGLECT THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH, UTILIZE THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INFRASTRUCTURE, AND COST THE TAXPAYERS OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS PER YEAR.
How many public entities in this state have close to a third of their properties off of the tax rolls due to non profit status?
Who is surpised that the city is broke when you have a third of all properties in the City of Pittsburgh tax exempt?
It is time to pay... Taxpayers should not be burdened by non profits that have turned their back on city taxpayers, these are the same non profits that pay executives tens of millions of dollars a year.
4 comments:
My solution from years ago is still a valid one:
Make a moratorium on all nonprofit land expansion.
Getting cash for the city was always a wet dream that should never have been believed.
It's not all non-profits. There are little non-profits that cannot afford to be taxed.
Non-profits need to pony up!
In regards to UPMC and other hospitals (except Allegheny--I loathe), I'm really not sure about the tax. The jury is still out with me. My instinct is to say tax them. With two oversight boards; our city in a financial crunch, especially now; and these institutions never having had to pay anything and be on tax-free land, the argument seems pretty clear cut.
But on the other hand, taxation is no credible way to solve any economic problem. Just going out and taxing businesses, drinks, counties, sales, etc., as a way to generate money in an economy that is slumping to me seems like an already failed proposition.
And with Pittsburgh, we are known for our world-class hospitals. Dr. Thomas Starzl and Dr. Jonas Salk made history in these institutions.
Healthcare is expensive. I have experienced it in my family and I am sure you have too. These tests cost money and I am sure we all want the best, ground-breaking technology in Pittsburgh.
Universal healthcare coverage will soon be here. Maybe then they will participate.
I'm just not sure if it is them being jerks or if its trying to maintain quality healthcare.
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