Pittsburgh's mayor says he'll pursue 1 percent higher-ed tax

[Craftsman]

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl plans to propose a 1 percent college-education privilege tax to council today, in a move that's likely to set off a fight with the city's schools of higher learning.

College and university representatives met with the mayor on Wednesday and argued against the tax, which would be assessed on a college student's tuition. It technically would not be a levy on the students or their schools, but rather on the privilege of getting a higher education in Pittsburgh.

"They weren't pleased to hear that this was an option we were pursuing," Mr. Ravenstahl said. But he said he is ready for "a fight, or a battle, if you will," if that's what it takes to plug a $15 million gap in his 2010 budget and help the struggling Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

"We don't believe that <1 percent> is too burdensome on college students," Mr. Ravenstahl said. "The city taxpayers are paying for the services that are provided to those college students," including police, building inspection and fire service, he said. "The students have a role to play."

http://postgazette.com/pg/09313/1011971-53.stm#ixzz0WMi4v1ZA

[DontTreadOnMe]

1. I got an idea!

How about just putting the 1% tax on the... wait for it... WEALTHIEST PEOPLE!

for the PRIVILEGE of being WEALTHY in the Pittsburgh area...

afterall, the city taxpayers are paying for the services that are provided to these wealthy people," including police, building inspection and fire service, he said. "The wealthy people have a role to play."

[chemenger]

2. Just who is this "we"?

He must have a mouse in his pocket.

At a 1% surcharge levied on a student's tuition that amounts to:

University of Pittsburgh: at least $280 for a two-semester undergrad year
Carnegie Mellon: ~ $400 per two-semester undergrad year
Duquesne: ~ $300
Carlow: ~ $210
Chatham: ~ $200
Point Park: ~ $250
Allegheny County Community College: ~ $25

On top of the exorbitant prices for textbooks, supplies, miscellaneous fees, etc.

Way to go Mayor. Add to the ranks of Young Republicans. Interesting how you waited to announce this "plan" of yours until after you were re-elected.

[JVS]

3. Way to go after some of the most economically weak individuals around.

[Craftsman]

5. But yo miss the point, most of these students are not voters in this town

So to him it is alright.

[Orrex]

4. More than anything, what Pittsburgh needs now is a billion-dollar trolley tunnel under a river.