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Sunday, November 17, 2002 || Contact Us
Whispers
INSIDE INFORMATION. Students enrolled in Public Finance 90-736 at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz School got an inside, exclusive look last week at Pittsburgh’s budget problems. The class taught by Robert P. Strauss, who has helped New York City dig out of its own fiscal crises in the past, tends to attract young people who are on their way to high-level government and public finance jobs. Some even attend the classes while getting their start in those jobs. One student monitoring Strauss’ class this semester worked with the mayor’s finance panel, PGH 21, which achieved a level of secrecy seldom seen in government circles. But even in the tightest-run ship, there are bound to be leaks. During a class discussion last week on Pittsburgh’s bleak financial outlook, this student raised his hand and dropped a bombshell. He claimed the city’s structural deficit had risen to a staggering $70 million. That was more than the $25 million figure officials have used in the past, and even higher than the mayor’s own public calculation of $40 million to $50 million. No wonder the figure drew shocked disbelief in Strauss' class and guffaws among City Hall types who argued it could not possibly be that high. The student was vindicated with the release of the report, which indicated the city faces a $60 million deficit for 2003. And as much as a $75 million deficit in 2004. P> Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PittsburghLIVE. Have a comment about our website? Click here. See a problem? Report Bug |
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