Allegheny County Councilman Matt Drozd says he has found a way to solve the budgetary tug-of-war between increasing taxes or cutting services -- let the voters decide.
The Ross Republican plans to introduce a bill today that would require a voter referendum every time the council introduces a tax or alters an existing one.
Drozd called the bill, of which he is the only sponsor, a reaction to the county's proposed poured drink and rental car taxes. It is being introduced as council prepares to approve a bill -- sponsored by all 15 of its members -- to require a two-thirds majority to approve a tax or alter an existing one.
Drozd said that measure isn't enough.
"I think the people have a right to choose," he said. "When anything affects their pocketbook, they should have the right to vote."
The Legislature authorized the county in July to enact taxes of as much as 10 percent on alcoholic drinks and as much as $2 per day on rental cars, to help pay for Port Authority operations.
Getting a referendum on ballots usually is an uphill battle on council.
Since 2000, 25 ordinances have referenced referenda, said Jared E. Barker, council's director of legislative services. Of that total, at least 14 have called for a referendum. Three have made it to ballots. Two of the referenda dealt with the rules that require elected officials to resign before seeking other public offices. The third referendum dealt with row office reform, Barker said.
Two of Drozd's peers appear hesitant to back his plan, which Council President Rich Fitzgerald, D- Squirrel Hill, worries might strip officials of some decision-making authority.
"In general, I agree with (the idea of referenda) on large, large policy issues," Fitzgerald said.
He pointed to a recent decision to increase the 911 call service fee from 74 cents to $1 to illustrate where a referendum might be meaningless.
"Is that an increase? Of course. Should we have gone to referendum on that? I don't think so," he said. "I don't know if you can put every single question on a referendum. I think that takes away from what you elect representatives to do."
Councilman Bill Robinson, D-Hill District, also raised concerns about Drozd's plan, pointing instead to the two-thirds majority bill.
"At this point, I feel that's sufficient," Robinson said.
If Drozd's measure passes, the earliest a referendum could appear would be the May primaries, Barker said.
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