The Daily OrangeThe tax man | Pittsburgh mayor proposes tax on inner-city universities' tuition
By Haley Behre
Posted: 11/17/09, 3:35 AM EST Section: News
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl proposed the Fair Share Tax Bill for Pittsburgh legislature Nov. 9, which would implement a 1 percent tax on tuition of all public and private colleges and universities in the city.
Ron Pferdehirt, deputy city solicitor of Pittsburgh, said that the proposed tax is in response to the city's revenue deficit. The money raised from the tax would go toward pension funds, capital improvements and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, which faces having to downsize without additional financial support.
The tax will directly affect all students who attend universities and trade schools in the city. The students would have to pay about $100 to $150 more each year at most schools, and up to $400 for those studying at Pittsburgh's most expensive school, Carnegie Mellon University.
The proposal says the tax would generate $16 million next year.
"The city is doing what it has to do because the revenues available to the city are limited," Pferdehirt said. He added that the tax is partially due to university students using city facilities.
The Pittsburgh colleges have united to protest the tax, claiming it's illegal, unfair and would put Pittsburgh colleges at a competitive disadvantage.
Mary Hines, president of Carlow University in Pittsburgh, said that it is the principle of the issue, not the money itself, that is the problem.
Jessica Gardner, a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, disagrees with the proposed legislation. She said the mayor feels like everyone should contribute their "fair share," but that it's unfair to lay the city's burden on the students.
"Pitt contributes more than their fair share to the city," Gardner said, "and the burden should not be placed on students, many of whom are not even from the city."
Pferdehirt said that the city could not distinguish between resident students and non-resident students, though, because that would be discrimination.
Ly Li, a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, said she thinks that students should pay the tax because they use many city services and facilities. And with more than 100,000 students attending college in Pittsburgh, it will generate large revenue for the city, she said.
Li added that the tax is fair because Pitt students celebrated and damaged the city last year, when the Steelers won the Super Bowl in 2009.
"After the Steelers won, there was a huge riot on campus with burning of trees, destroying business windows and flipping cars," Li said.
The proposed legislation will be up for discussion Tuesday morning by Pittsburgh's Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority. Then, it will go to the city council. If approved, the law would go into effect Jan. 1.
hmbehre@syr.edu
Ron Pferdehirt, deputy city solicitor of Pittsburgh, said that the proposed tax is in response to the city's revenue deficit. The money raised from the tax would go toward pension funds, capital improvements and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, which faces having to downsize without additional financial support.
The tax will directly affect all students who attend universities and trade schools in the city. The students would have to pay about $100 to $150 more each year at most schools, and up to $400 for those studying at Pittsburgh's most expensive school, Carnegie Mellon University.
The proposal says the tax would generate $16 million next year.
"The city is doing what it has to do because the revenues available to the city are limited," Pferdehirt said. He added that the tax is partially due to university students using city facilities.
The Pittsburgh colleges have united to protest the tax, claiming it's illegal, unfair and would put Pittsburgh colleges at a competitive disadvantage.
Mary Hines, president of Carlow University in Pittsburgh, said that it is the principle of the issue, not the money itself, that is the problem.
Jessica Gardner, a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, disagrees with the proposed legislation. She said the mayor feels like everyone should contribute their "fair share," but that it's unfair to lay the city's burden on the students.
"Pitt contributes more than their fair share to the city," Gardner said, "and the burden should not be placed on students, many of whom are not even from the city."
Pferdehirt said that the city could not distinguish between resident students and non-resident students, though, because that would be discrimination.
Ly Li, a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, said she thinks that students should pay the tax because they use many city services and facilities. And with more than 100,000 students attending college in Pittsburgh, it will generate large revenue for the city, she said.
Li added that the tax is fair because Pitt students celebrated and damaged the city last year, when the Steelers won the Super Bowl in 2009.
"After the Steelers won, there was a huge riot on campus with burning of trees, destroying business windows and flipping cars," Li said.
The proposed legislation will be up for discussion Tuesday morning by Pittsburgh's Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority. Then, it will go to the city council. If approved, the law would go into effect Jan. 1.
hmbehre@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
J
posted 11/17/09 @ 12:41 PM EST
Hey, how about we levy a new tax on anyone holding government office. No? No takers? Hm.
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