County Council votes to give itself more power

By a nine to six vote, Allegheny County Council has voted to put two questions on the November ballot that could grant the body more power.

One would remove a spending cap, while the other would allow councilmembers to set up district offices using taxpayer funds.

“What we’re trying to do is suggest that what is being proposed here today, we might do something that gives council more of a voice, more authority for the purpose of giving us legitimacy that in many respects, we don’t seem to have,” said District 11representative Paul Klein.

Among the six no votes, Councilman Nicholas Futules who says taxpayers will not grant councilmembers such spending powers.

Councilmember Suzanne Filiaggi also voted no, saying the County Controller has warned Council that they would need to cut costs to balance the budget.

Supporters say the measures would allow County Council to be a more co-equal branch of government.