The Northside Chronicle
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District 19 News: Rep. Wheatley There are thousands of families struggling to find their financial footing because of this raging pandemic that has closed or limited their
Photo courtesy of the Office of Rep. Wheatley
In this month's column, Rep. Jake Wheatley shares his point of view on the Pennsylvania state budget. abilities to feed themselves and their families. Thousands of Pennsylvania students don’t have the ability to access school instruction because of limited access to technology and reliable internet service. Hundreds of small businesses and entertainment venues are still waiting for some financial relief. The state does have $1.3 billion in federal dollars available to offer some financial relief. Instead, majority legislators are holding on to that money to use it toward their sham of a budget. It's yet another case of those in the state Capitol who fail to understand or care about
what’s best for our residents and only think of their own self-interest. It’s clear we have extremely difficult challenges before us, and all options should be on the table. What happened to the belief that during times of difficulty, we work together to come up with ideas and solutions and collaborate? Instead, there’s a push toward actions that are short-sighted and short-term. That is what will happen with this short-sighted and irresponsible budget. Some may say, ‘What can we do in this current climate when there is no will to push for new revenue sources to help residents and businesses that are hurting financially?’ I say we start by assessing those who continue to make money even while most others in our state continue to struggle. We don't have to raise taxes on working families, but we should take a serious look at creating a fair tax system and tax the companies and individuals who are making money on money while many have lost money because they couldn't work or earn income. What about closing some of our corporate tax loopholes, or considering revenue from potential new industries like adult-use cannabis to resolve the state’s $3 billion deficit? There have been many ideas, proposals, and solutions shared to help mitigate this budget challenge, but none of these are being considered in any real way. It’s because those in power only want what they want, and far too often, the Democrats are more than willing to accommodate them for fear of lost crumbs from the all-powerful majority’s table. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired of this merry-go-round process. When will we demand a real budget that resolves, or at least attempts to resolve, our long-term state fiscal challenges? The threat of cuts are and will always be a part of this process. The fear of having to make difficult decisions around revenue generation, changes in spending priorities, or adding taxes to places and industries to create fair sharing of responsibilities are all necessary for us to consider. To ultimately decide to do nothing and take the road of least resistance at times like these is a total failure of leadership and can't be allowed to continue. The people deserve better and we should do better. n
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December 2020
Community Meetings After Jail & Prison Ministry Support Mondays, 6-7 p.m. Allegheny Center Alliance Church 412.321.4333 ext. 127 801 Union Place, first floor
Manchester Citizens Corporation Quarterly meetings, call for times MCC Center, 1319 Allegheny Ave. 412.323.1743
Allegheny West Civic Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7:30 p.m. Calvary United Methodist Church 412.323.8884
Manchester Public Safety Meeting Quarterly meetings, call for times Northside Leadership Conference 412.323.1743
Brighton Heights Citizens Federation 2nd Thursday, bi-monthly, 7 p.m. Morrow Elementary School 412.734.0233
Northside Rotary Club Every Friday, noon Cardello Building, 2nd Floor
Brightwood Civic Group 1st Tuesday, monthly,6 p.m. Pressley Ridge, 2611 Stayton St. 412.732.8152 Brightwood Community Emergency Response Shelter 3rd Thursday, monthly, 6 p.m. 3219 Central Ave. California-Kirkbride Blockwatch 3rd Thursday, monthly, 7 p.m. 1601 Brighton Rd., 3rd floor California-Kirkbride Neighbors 2nd Thursday, monthly, 7 p.m. 1601 Brighton Rd., 3rd floor 412.758.3898
NS Coalition for Fair Housing Board 2nd Monday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5527 NS Coalition for Fair Housing Members Monthly, call for times 1821 Brighton Rd. 412.321.5521 Northside Leadership Conference Call to confirm 1st Wednesday, monthly, 6 p.m. MCC Center, 1319 Allegheny Ave. 412.231.4714 North Side Lions Club 2nd and 4th Tuesday, monthly, noon Max’s Allegheny Tavern
Central Northside Neighborhood Council 2nd Monday, monthly, 7 p.m. Allegheny Traditional Academy 412.231.7742
North Side Public Safety Council 1st Thursday, monthly, 5:30 p.m. 1319 Allegheny Ave. 1st floor meeting room 412.231.4714 ext. 201
Charles Street Area Council 1st Monday, monthly, call for times Pittsburgh Project, 2801 N. Charles St. 412.321.5567
Northside Toastmasters 2nd & 4th Thursdays, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Carnegie Library, 1230 Federal St. 412-204-6018
Community Alliance of Spring Garden/ East Deutschtown 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Fuhrer Building of St. Michael’s Church 412.228.0376
Observatory Hill, Inc. 3rd Wednesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Byzantine Seminary, 3605 Perrysville Ave. 412.231.2887
Deutschtown New Hope Council 3rd Thursday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. Community Center, 623 Suismon St. East Allegheny Community Council 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Arnold’s Tea 412.321.1204 Fineview & Perry Hilltop Citizens Councils 4th Tuesday, monthly, 6 p.m. Contact for location info@ourfuturehilltop.org 412-238-7528 Mexican War Streets Society 3rd Monday, bi-monthly, 6:30-7 p.m. 1400 Buena Vista St. 412.323.9030
The Promise Group Every other Tuesday, 6 p.m. Western Pa. Humane Society 412.321.1019 Troy Hill Citizens Feb. 12, April 8, June 10, Aug. 12, Oct. 14, Dec. 9., 6 p.m. Most Holy Name School Hall 1515 Tinsbury St. 412.321.2852 Spring Hill Civic League March 2, May 4, Sept. 14, Oct. 5, Nov. 2 6 p.m, Spring Hill Elementary School auditorium, contact@shcl.org Summer Hill Citizens Committee 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 6:30 p.m. WPXI Television Station community room
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