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Ordinance Directing the Allegheny County Board of Elections to place before the qualified voters of the City of Pittsburgh at the 2025 May Primary Election a referendum question, "Shall the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter, Article One, Home Rule Powers - Definitions, be supplemented by adding a new section, "104. Amendments to Charter", by prohibiting the use of the Home Rule Charter Amendment process to add duties or obligations beyond the lawful scope of the city's authority."
(Public Hearing held 2/3/25)
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Whereas, the City of Pittsburgh is bound by the Constitution of the United States, the Pennsylvania Constitution, and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and,
Whereas, the City of Pittsburgh is recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as city of the second class; and,
Whereas, the City has adopted a Home Rule Charter to govern its operations, which may be amended via ballot initiative; and,
Whereas, certain far-reaching ballot initiative efforts, if successful, would amend the Home Rule Charter to add functions or duties that exceed the limits imposed upon the City by the Constitution of the United States, the Pennsylvania Constitution, and the laws of Pennsylvania; and,
Whereas, the preparation of such amendments nonetheless consumes time and resources for the Allegheny County Elections Division, as well as demand the eventual attention of the City's Department of Law; and,
Whereas, for practical and legal reasons, it is in the best interests of the City of Pittsburgh to avoid the adoption of inherently unlawful proposals.
The Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The Allegheny County Board of Elections is hereby directed to place before the qualified voters of the City of Pittsburgh at the 2025 May Primary Election a referendum question:
"Shall the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter, Article One, Home Rule Powers - Definitions, be supplemented by adding a new section, "104. Amendments to Charter",...
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