Presenter
Presented by Mr. Deasy
Title
Resolution authorizing the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Finance to assist Pittsburgh Public Schools students in achieving post secondary education by creating a funding opportunity for The Pittsburgh Promise.
Body
WHEREAS, college cost increase continue to outpace inflation, last year average tuitions rising nationally by 6% and over the past five years, overall tuition costs of both private and public universities have risen 35 percent; and,
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has been ranked the fifth most expensive state in which to attend public college and the 10th most expensive state in which to attend private college, according to a November 6 issue of Time magazine; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh has formed a collaboration with the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) to make higher education achievable regardless of income called The Pittsburgh Promise; and,
WHEREAS, In addition to addressing the academic readiness barrier students face, The Pittsburgh Promise would address the other primary barriers to post-secondary education: of accessibility and affordability; and, 
WHEREAS, The Pittsburgh Promise anticipates making funds available to Pittsburgh Public School graduates for tuition at an accredited post-secondary institution within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and,
WHEREAS, private donations will be a significant part of funding The Pittsburgh Promise and efforts to increase private donations will help to stabilize the fiscal viability of the program and the ability of all PPS students to achieve college regardless of fiscal ability; and,
WHEREAS, approximately 100,000 Pgh40 tax forms are distributed annually,
Be it Resolved that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The Council of the City of Pittsburgh authorizes and the Mayor and the Director of the Department of Finance to develop and implement a tear off coupon to be added to the 2007 Pgh40 tax forms that will allow filers to contribute funds to The Pittsburgh Promise trust fund for the 2007 tax year which is collected in 2008.
Section 2. The Council further authorizes the Mayor and Director of the Department of Finance to include donation levels of $20, $50, $100 and other amounts as determined by the Director of the Department of Finance on the coupon.
Section 3. Funds received via the Pgh40 tax form coupon will be deposited into a separate trust fund dedicated to The Pittsburgh Promise to be established. Until the Pittsburgh Promise Trust Fund is established and clear guidelines for is use are set forth the city shall not initiate the Pgh40 Coupon.
Section 4 Pgh40 filers who contribute to The Pittsburgh Promise must make their contribution with a separate check.