Foundation and IOP co-host forum around City-County cooperation
Event organized as part of broad public education campaign

PITTSBURGH, Pa., May 7, 2009 – The Pittsburgh Foundation and the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics will co-host a major public forum in June designed to encourage broad community discussion and participation in the decision-making process around proposed options to expand City-County cooperation, including functional and structural consolidation.  

Guest speakers will include community leaders from Charlotte, Miami and Louisville, together with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Chief Executive, Dan Onorato. The event will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Friday June 5 at the Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman Street.

“Given what’s happening in today’s economy, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County have to be exploring every possible opportunity to reduce the costs and improve the services of government,” said Grant Oliphant, the Foundation’s President and CEO. “We think that our community needs to be part of that conversation which is why we are pleased to co-host this event.”

Organizers are hoping to attract broad community representation at the forum, including municipal officials together with civic, community and business leaders and members of the public.

“It will discuss options such as enhanced government cooperation, functional consolidation, a full structural merger, federated metropolitan government and perhaps others that haven’t yet been thought of,” said Terry Miller, Director of the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics.  “In keeping with the strategy emblematic of the Institute of Politics, prominent exponents of a full range of perspectives have been invited to participate,” she said.

The forum, The Future of City/County Collaboration, is designed as the start of a comprehensive public education campaign, including a series of conferences and town hall meetings that will facilitate unrestricted discussion and bring decision-making information to the widest possible audience.

 “As we look at the fiscal health of our community, operating in the economic circumstances that we’re facing, it would be irresponsible not to consider bold, different ways of managing government,” said Grant Oliphant.

Admission to the forum is free, but advance registration is required and space is limited. Registration may be made on-line at www.iop.pitt.edu/June5.

For further information contact:
John Ellis
412-394-2647
ellisj@pghfdn.org