💸 Will Gainey get UPMC to pay?

Pittsburgh Challenges Nonprofit Tax Exemptions

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey announced plans to challenge the tax-exempt statuses of 104 properties owned by nonprofits. City leaders say the effort is to get “everyone to pay their fair share,” bring more properties onto the city’s tax rolls, and boost revenue. More than half are owned by UPMC; others belong to Allegheny Health Network, University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Duquesne University.

• 💸 Take two? Last year, the city challenged 27 properties. The Board of Property Assessments and Appeals Review agreed with the city on 12 of them — but we don’t know which rulings were appealed by property owners. Overall, the city netted $100,000 from the first round of challenges, but spent close to $400,000 getting it done. [90.5 WESA]
• ➡️ We cover this and more in today’s Friday news roundup. [🎧City Cast Pittsburgh]

Punxsutawney Phil & Phyllis Are Parents!

The groundhog couple welcomed two healthy babies this week. The famous furry family is settled at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library zoo, and the pups can be seen through the viewing window. [TribLIVE]

• 🤔 An immortal rodent? Here are four fun “Phil phacts” I bet you didn’t know about Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog! [📰 Hey Pittsburgh]

Undated Ballots Don’t Count, Court Says

Are you mailing or dropping off your ballot? Be sure to write the correct date! The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that envelopes without dates or with incorrect dates shouldn’t be counted. This legal battle is expected to continue to the U.S. Supreme Court.

• 🗳️ What does this mean? "If this ruling stands, thousands of Pennsylvania voters could lose their vote over a meaningless paperwork error,” local ACLU executive director Mike Lee says. More than 10,000 ballots were rejected in 2022. [NPR]

Medical Dramas, Tax Exemptions & Why Barges Can’t Hurt A Pgh Bridge

A bridge collapsed in Baltimore — could something similar play out here? Gainey’s trying, once again, to generate taxes from UPMC and other tax-exempt properties. And a new Pittsburgh-based medical drama called “The Pitt” is in the works. Plus, we’ve got some fun Easter news, a comprehensive plan update, and a very happy groundhog arrival!