Salena Zito claims Pittsburgh’s issue lies in its government’s inability to transcend politics.
The Fall of a Great American City: The Societal and Political Decay that has Upended Pittsburgh
The Washington Examiner’s Salena Zito recently provided an insightful analysis of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a proud “Yinzer” herself, meaning someone from Pittsburgh, Zito admitted that writing this story was incredibly challenging.
“Our former mayors have all been exceptional managers who understood that ideology should not overshadow the importance of governing and managing the city,” Zito explained. “Unfortunately, the current city government lacks this understanding, and it is causing significant problems.”
In her editorial, Zito highlights the alarming increase in homelessness and crime, resulting in a staggering 22.5% vacancy rate in Pittsburgh. She also expresses concern about the hostile environment where any dissenting opinion is met with attacks and accusations of bigotry.
Mayor Ed Gainey, a Democrat who took office in January 2022, is a central figure in Zito’s analysis. She reveals that Gainey has chosen not to engage with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), the city’s crown jewel, due to its refusal to unionize with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). UPMC happens to be the largest employer in Pittsburgh.
Interestingly, the SEIU contributed a significant amount of $350,000 to Gainey’s campaign, making it his largest contributor.
To delve deeper into this thought-provoking analysis, click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.
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