We recently featured a Pittsburgh Speaks! page dedicated to what is being referred to as Pittsburgh's proposed "Regional Renaissance", which most importantly, includes an additional "entertainment tax" in order to help fund two new stadiums. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Will the raise in (already high) taxes foster new growth here in the 'Burgh? Does it take into consideration those who do not support sports? Here's what some Pittsburghers had to say:

9/29/97 16:44
I think the initiative is the only way to keep Pittsburgh from dying out completely. There may be high-tech industries here, but they too will leave if we don't keep the area alive.
9/30/97 16:05
If done properly, this could be good for the area, employment, and business. People should take into account all the ancillary aspects of this i.e. transportation, entertainment, housing, etc. not to mention the overpaid primadonnas that call theselves athletes........you have to LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE,folks. So, keep touting your shortsighted,selfish, why are they always picking on the little guy beliefs and you'll be left in the dust. Then, you can complain about the area not having any industry as you're standing in the unemployment line.
10/2/97 16:33
Let the damn owners pay for the stadiums. Remove them from the initiative and send it through for another vote. THEN and only then would I vote for it. Those sports team owners should not be allowed to bully cities like they do.
10/3/97 8:48
I have lived in a city without sports teams, and believe me, it is worth it to pay a little extra for all the advantages they bring to a city - even if you yourself never go to a game. The opportunity is there, which means more than most Pittsburghers realize. They are an attraction - to businesses, tourism, the communities. It would be a shame to see any of these advantages leave Pittsburgh just because some people don't like the idea of having to pay a little extra for them. The owners may be selfish, but I am willing to suck up for all of the things I may miss out on if they weren't here.
10/3/97 13:31
We are already paying 7% sales tax - an extra 1% increase was already passed to pay for "local initiatives". On top of that we pay 2.8% State Income Tax, a gasoline tax, personal property tax, real estate taxes, so called "sin taxes" on cigarettes and liquor, license fees etc etc. Come on! If the stadium was unsuitable I could understand the expense. I'm going to vote no.
10/5/97 19:52
I, as a sports fan, would like to vote yes; but I also remember our beloved Ex-Gov.Milton Shapp swearing that the State income tax was temporary until the state was in the black. There is now a SURPLUS, why do we still have the tax? Tax and spend must stop. Our elected officials should try "Sim City" and see what happens to an area that is overtaxed. My parents taught me that if you don't have the money you can't buy!
10/6/97 12:04
No, There are too may taxes now. Let's think before we jump. Also, the majority of people with the least amount of money will be penalized. Poor people are the last ones to really use much of these tax support services.
10/6/97 13:25
Oxymoron - temporary tax (as in 7 years) Who cares what they will use it for, do you really believe it will be a "temporary tax"?
10/6/97 15:57
I agree with the oxymoron of the temporary tax - we are still paying an extra 1% they added to the entire state to aid the residences hurt in the Johnstown Flood!
10/7/97 11:00
What is wrong with this picture? Larry Dunn and Don Walko opposing the tax while Rick Santorum and Cyril Wecht are the biggest boosters. It seems to me that it's all about who has the guts to say "I support this growth effort for Pgh!" The first two men fail and the last two shine.
10/8/97 12:43
Sophie's idea for a new baseball stadium right next to Three Rivers was dumb enough. Now, we have gone from the ridiculous to the sublime -- TWO NEW STADIUMS flanking Three Rivers! Unbelievable. Leave out the sports teams and I'll reconsider. Until then... NO!
10/8/97 22:05
No, in 1955 this state voted for a temporary sales tax of 1% for the purpose of giving the Korean War Veterans a Bonus. It was temporary all right. instead of 1% it temporarily went to 2% then 3% etc. up to where we are today. Just a short time ago the same people who support this bill were in the process of changing the welfare system. One of the common expressions we heard was for people on welfare to take on more responsibility and in the long run it will be good for those people. I believe that to be positive and I agree with that philosophy. I also believe that very same message should be sent to Corporate welfare receipients. I don't believe that aiding Millionaires is going to create 1 job that doesn't already exist. Making a few Millionaires into Billionaires is the gist of this Bill. Remove the stadiums from the picture and have this tax to benefit all the counties involved and it would be laughed at and never heard past the snicker stage. Temporary Tax!!! Comming from politicians and wealthy individuals who in their right mind would actually take them seriously. Signed Bill Hall from Avonmore Pa. Westmorland County.
10/13/97 10:19
Absolutely not!! Politics and manipulation go hand in hand. This job creation and economic development is a farce and highly illegal. No for profit corporation has the right to reap benefits from taxes!! Why tax those who make less than $50,000 or even $100,000 to line the pockets of those making more than $250,000? Is this fair? NO! Take a look at social security... it seemed to be a very good idea when it was first concieved and projections were made to justify SS. the politicians played on the fears of the ignorant and the innocent trusting citizens. Now we know the truth... many buracrats have had a cozy life at the expense of the poor. Let the economy improve by making this city and county an attractive place to live and build a business in. Tax free income and living is more of an attraction than football stadiums and convention centers. Think about all the consequences America and vote NO or your children and family will suffer the reprecussions of this devious fraudulent activity of the rich! Businesses WILL move out of the area and Pittsburgh will be the only city with two football stadiums and no people to attend.
10/13/97 17:05
Tax Free income and living? What planet are you on? There will never be tax free income and living in this area. give me a break. Taxation is inherent in the American system. Government will never allow that to change, at least not in the next 50 years. For the meantime we have to work within the system that exists. If this means another 1/2% then so be it. The sports teams keep our name in the news. It keeps us current and alive. Not just another one of those "mill towns gone bust" that we have in the region. Take away the teams you take away the recognition. Take away the recognition you take away the life.
10/15/97 8:28
One of the battle cries of 1776 was "No Taxation Without Representation". So those of us in the outlying counties are now going to be able to vote in Allegheny County elections? I doubt it. And forget the 30,000 jobs that are supposedly going to be created by this 'initiative'...the projection was too full of "if's". I'm sure that SKYBUS was going to create thousands of jobs too. Ironic, isn't it, that they tore down Forbes Field and built Three Rivers...now they want to tear down Three Rivers and make two stadiums, one of which will look amazingly like....Forbes Field. Oh, but they'll sign that 25 year lease...sure they will...and then find some fancy legal loophole to get out of the lease when the team gets a better offer from another city. There are NO guarantees in this world. Allegheny County's track record is less than stellar...why give them more money to play with?
10/16/97 17:35
No. The formation of the board with a budget is the basis of my concern. I can't imagine what another "politically" based group of people with a tax supported budget will be able to do, besides spend a ton of money on self promotion thereby guarantying themselves a position for the next seven years. I can see the commercials now.... look how we saved the Pirates and Steelers vote yes to renew the tax for only seven more years.

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