Pittsburgh City Councilor Ricky Burgess Proposes Tax on Higher Education and Health Care – CBS Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh City Councilman Ricky Burgess has introduced a new ordinance aimed at closing the gap in the city’s infrastructure budget.
The proposed ordinance would tax user privileges for university students and medical patients in the city. The tax will be 1 percent of the total amount of tuition or medical bills, and the proceeds will help fund infrastructure.
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These groups of people use and create a greater need for maintenance on city streets and bridges, Burgess points out. Some people agree with him.
Ethan Lasser, a student of Pitt’s, told KDKA, “If it’s for the good of society, I’m fine with it.”
But many other college students KDKA spoke with disagreed with the proposal, because of the inherently high cost of education and other financial burdens.
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“It’s terrible in Pittsburgh,” said Pitt’s student Riley Fantini. “There are potholes everywhere. But I don’t think student is the right way to go, as for the most part this is a community that doesn’t have a lot of income to spend on it.”
In the way the ordinance is written today, colleges and hospitals would have to provide people with tax notices with their bills and keep a record of each tax transaction, which could also be compromised. audit. Organizations that do not impose taxes will owe the city.
If passed, the ordinance will take effect after 30 days and will remain in effect from year to year unless repealed or amended.
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There will be a public hearing on the matter.
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2022/03/08/proposed-tax-on-higher-education-and-medical-care/ Pittsburgh City Councilor Ricky Burgess Proposes Tax on Higher Education and Health Care – CBS Pittsburgh