Issue
The fight over County Council's presidency and its staffing.
County Council
Allegheny County Council doesn't vet appointees to county boards and authorities, one council member said. On June 23, some members said council needs more than its three shared staff members. Council then voted 9-6 to ask voters in November to remove its budget cap. Still, another member said staff told him nothing needed doing that wasn't being done.
County Council
After calls to leave the post over a campaign mailer, Pat Catena stepped down as Allegheny County Council president on May 22. On May 26, council unanimously elected Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis of Plum as the first woman president in its 26-year history. She named a balanced budget, property reassessment, and housing among the challenges ahead. Catena will remain a member of council.
County Council
Pat Catena's campaign mailer tied his state House primary rival to a group advocating for transgender athletes. Now, Allegheny County Council is preparing to remove him as president. Sixteen residents spoke against the mailer on May 12, and seven members urged him to step down the next morning. State law barred a vote that night, and council next meets May 26.