PITTSBURGH, PA — With the polls now closed, it's time to find out whether Allegheny County voters have approved a referendum to allow county council members access to benefits, personal staff and offices.
Voters appear to be rejecting the idea. As of 9:10, p.m. 151,990 voted against the proposal, while 71,054 favored it.
Council members voted in June voted to approve putting the question on the ballot, despite the county currently having a pension deficit of $1.4 billion.
If the referendum is approved, council members will have access to funding for individual staff, district offices and fringe benefits - including health and life insurance, pensions, and personal motor vehicles. If it's defeated, the current Home Rule Charter restrictions against those potential amenities will remain.
The 15-member council serves as the county's legislative branch of government. The positions are part-time and pay an annual stipend of around $11,000. Council members currently share a three-member staff.
According to the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh, supporters of the Home Rule Charter change contend it would increase council's effectiveness as an independent branch of government.
Supporters also note that council members are the only elected council members barred from having fringe benefits and personal staff, which discourages people from serving on the panel.
Those opposing the Home Rule Chart change contend the charter was intended to create a part-time council with limited costs to the county. Although the proposal doesn't approve funding for new services at this time, it opens the door for ongoing funding increases.
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