Politics 101
Gentrification is the change in urban areas associated with the movement of more affluent individuals into a lower-class area. These areas will experience demographic shifts, increases in the median income, reductions in household size, and a decline in minorities. Households with higher incomes result in an increased in real estate values with higher rents, home prices, and property taxes. These changes result in the transformation of a neighborhood’s character and culture.
Gentrification has a human cost to our neighborhood’s lower-income residents. The increases in rent often result in the dispersal of communities whose members find that housing in the area is no longer affordable. Increases in property taxes (due to increased property values) may force homeowners to sell their homes and move to less expensive neighborhoods. This is a positive development for city officials (by raising tax revenue, which is often dependent on property values) and existing resident owner-occupiers. Property owners who do not wish to pay the tax increases often sell or pass these increases on to tenants in the form of higher rent. Unfortunately, this same rise in property value can be devastating to those in lower income groups, who are more likely to rent and thus have little benefit in rising property values.
Gentrification proponents cite local reductions in a neighborhood’s overall crime rate. However, critics argue that crime rates have not actually been reduced, but merely shifted to different lower-income neighborhoods or boroughs
Gentrification does spur the emergence of a professional “service sector” class, a group of people between the ages of 25 and 45 yrs., with a high disposable income and post-graduate education with professions in fields such as law, medicine, engineering, finance, media and the arts.
Gentrification can have negative effects on political participation. For example, a drop in voter turnout has been observed in numerous areas in American cities. For example take a look at what we call “projects” low income housing- good or bad isn’t the question- where are the masses of people now? They’ve moved to lower-income boroughs and thereby reducing minority political participation in Pittsburgh.
Some Specifics—
Small business incubators are a necessary tool in stimulating economic growth.
Small businesses are the fastest growing segment in American commerce and they create 90% of all new jobs. Over 50% of all small businesses fail in the first year, and 80% within five years. Often entrepreneurs know how to produce “the work,” but lack the skills necessary for operating a business, and cannot afford the time and expense of education. Equally important, are start-up costs and fixed expenses of operation, which drain hard-pressed capital.
According to the National Business Incubation Associations (NBIA), incubator companies increase their sales by an average of 400% during their stay in the program.
Business incubators reduce the risk of small business failures. Eighty-seven percent of all firms that have graduated from incubators are still in business.
NBIA estimates that incubator clients and graduate companies have created about half a million jobs since 1980.
For every 50 jobs created by the incubation process, A client can generate approximately 25 more jobs in the same community.
NBIA estimates that in 2005 alone, North American incubators assisted more than 27,000 start-up companies that provided full-time employment for more than 100,000 workers and generated annual revenue of more than $17 billion.
Business incubators can reduce start-up costs by 40-50%
——- The statistical data provided below has been reported by the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) and the Small Business Association (SBA).
Local Government & Community Partnerships
As Mayor I will form partnerships with various chambers of commerce, rotary clubs as well as Universities and Colleges as part of an overall economic strategy in developing small businesses in our neighborhoods.
Shared Resources
Because of a need for a professional atmosphere, business advice and office equipment and the sheer expense of it all, my plan of incubation can limit the costs often associated with start-ups. Here is an example of some services that can be shared: access to office equipment, high-speed internet, education in accounting, human resources, marketing and other business practices, as well as expert consulting services. Because of collaboration, small business will thrive thereby stimulating real growth in our neighborhoods.
_________________
Open government is the political doctrine, which holds that the business of government and the local administration should be opened at all levels for effective public scrutiny and oversight.
In politics, transparency is introduced as a means of holding public officials accountable and fighting corruption. When government meetings are open to the press and the public, when budgets and financial statements may be reviewed by anyone, when laws, rules and decisions are open to discussion, they are seen as transparent and there is less opportunity for the authorities to abuse the system in their own interest.
Feb 2009 13:53:17 -0500
Hello,
First let me start by saying that I’m 100% behind electing Ms Robinson, but I see serious issues with the direction this email flyer is taking. Yes, Obama is our first elected Black president and true, Tomlin is the youngest coach to win the Super Bowl. Never once has it been printed that Tomlin is the first Black coach to win. In fact, if you were to only hear it announced on the ratio…you wouldn’t know his color. But neither campaign was won by putting color first because that’s not the main focus. If the was another Black running for mayor it wouldn’t be the slogan. Even if the Soul Blast version is only meant for “our” eyes…it’s the wrong message top send. Everyone can see that she’s Black. It doesn’t have to be the driving force of the campaign. “She’s Nobody’s Boy” just comes off wrong. Take that “feel” and focus on her becoming the first woman mayor of Pittsburgh. Let her credentials and platform for unity be what gets not just Black votes, but ALL votes. Obama won because his campaign didn’t exclude whites. He was never a “Black only” candidate. That worked for the United States voters and the same will work for Pittsburgh. Let’s not forget there are votes needed for areas like Mt Lebanon, Fox Chapel, and Swickley. If they see these campaign posters…the race is over before it gets started.
Response-
I believe the Blast” was only in celebration of black history. Although I am black, I am not the “black candidate” and I hope everyone will see this! The sender of the “blast” had my permission to demonstrate BLACK PRIDE! How often have people of color been motivated to love one another and to share a common bond. Make no mistake; I am intending to be the Mayor of all citizens of Pittsburgh and to do what is best for all. I will show pride in African American achievements as well as American accomplishments. Never forget America just celebrated American history January 20, 2009. Not JUST A MAN SWORN IN as President BUT A BLACK MAN!!!!!!! It is history, let us speak about it! As to She’s nobody’s boy this Came from a past Mayor’s slogan. It meant “pay to Play” would not happen on that Mayor’s watch or I’m not a good old boy! I like it because, I like the first meaning and I’m a woman. Although I want people of Mt Lebanon, Fox Chapel, and Sewickley to support me they are not in the City Limits; I hope every person in non minority neighborhoods ( a fact that still exists),will see pride and feel good feelings about a people who are proud of themselves. Thanks, for your comments. I will be more careful in the future!
Hi Ms. Robinson,
You spoke to us tonight through your community liaison at our Operation Save One Meeting. Thank you for that.
I have a couple of questions - I have researched your website, I like what you stand for; I would like to ask how you feel about Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) and the exploitation of Tax Increment Financing that has been happening (Bakery Square, Target up near Camp Horne, etc.).
RESPONSE— Carmen L. Robinson,
A Community Benefits Agreement is a contract signed by community groups and by a developer to provide economic development to a local community or neighborhood. It is “generally” legally enforceable.
These agreements set forth a range of community benefits that the developer agrees to provide as part of a development project in exchange for community support of a given project. Successful community benefits agreements rely heavily upon the formation of a multi-issue, broad based community coalition including community, environmental, faith-based and labor organizations.
Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, is a public financing method, which has been used for redevelopment and community improvement projects. TIF is a tool to use future gains in taxes to finance the current improvements that will create those gains. When a public project such as a road, school, or hazardous waste cleanup is carried out, there is often an increase in the value of surrounding real estate, and perhaps new investment (new or rehabilitated buildings, for example). This increased site value and investment generates increased tax revenues. The increased tax revenues are the “tax increment.” Tax Increment Financing dedicates tax increments within a certain defined district to finance debt issued to pay for the project. TIF is designed to channel funding toward improvements in distressed or underdeveloped areas where development would not otherwise occur. TIF creates funding for public projects that may otherwise be unaffordable to localities. However, the designation of the areas as blighted can allow governmental condemnation of property through eminent domain.
A complaint—funding often goes toward what have been traditionally considered private improvements with public’s dollars. Developers profit from these Improvements. When the public “invests” in these improvements, the developers receive the return.
CBA economic development projects are subsidized by taxpayer dollars however; they produce ‘competing” or adverse results for citizens. While many of these projects create necessary jobs and tax revenues back to areas that have been depressed, there is usually no guarantee that the project will benefit current residents because of inner-city gentrification. Usually, the project pushes out low-income residents because housing prices often will rise. Moreover, most projects create large numbers of dead-end low-wage jobs in retail and the service area. With strong bargaining power from community groups, ethical leadership from our government (since the process can lead to favoritism for politically connected developers, lawyers, economic development directors and other implementers), the developer can be held accountable. Often the goals of the community are broad based because of the many different needs of the community. The developer and unethical govt. thrives in this “gray”. Without a specific demand from the community the developer and government “wiggles out” and the community loses.
Benefits contained in a CBA should be stated explicitly. Such as stores, rents will be subsidized. In addition, that agreement must state all wages developed from these newly created jobs will be a living wage. These agreements must state what that wage actually will be. Finally, those agreements must provide affordable housing for the low to middle wage earner, did you notice I did not use the word goal. That word provides wiggle room.
As to Bakery Square, Walnut capital’s video touts that it will be a “Mecca for disposable income.” I am certain that the agreement put together was written in “gray” because; it does not address that particular communities’ concerns. Using public financing for the affluent is not what the purpose of TIF!
“PAY to Play”
In politics, pay to play refers to a system by which one pays (or must pay) money in order to become a player. The common denominator of all forms of pay to play is that one must pay to “get in the game,” with the sports analogy frequently arising. Typically, the payer (an individual, business, or organization) makes campaign contributions to public officials, party officials, or parties themselves, and receives political or pecuniary benefit such as no-bid government contracts, influence over legislation, political appointments or nominations, special access or other favors. The contributions, less frequently, may be to nonprofit or institutional entities, or may take the form of some benefit to a third party, such as a family member of a governmental official.
The phrase, almost always used in criticism, also refers to the increasing cost of elections and the “price of admission” to even run and the concern “that one candidate can far outspend his opponents, essentially buying the election.” While the direct exchange of campaign contributions for contracts is the most visible form of Pay to Play, the greater concern is the central role of money in politics, and its skewing both the composition and the policies of government. Thus, those who can pay the price of admission, such as to a $1000/plate dinner or $25,000 “breakout session,” gain access to power and/or its spoils, to the exclusion of those who cannot or will not pay: “giving certain people advantages that others don’t have because they donated to your campaign.”
Good-government advocates consider this an outrage because “political fundraising should have no relationship to policy recommendations.” Citizens for Responsible Ethics in Washington called the “Pay-to-Play Congress” one of the top 10 scandals of 2008.
Incumbent candidates and their political organizations are typically the greatest beneficiaries of Pay-to-Play. Both the Democratic and Republican parties have been criticized for the practice. Many seeking to ban or restrict the practice characterize pay-to-play as legalized corruption. The opposite of a pay-to-play system is one that is “fair and open.” Pittsburgh must get rid of their NO BID CONTRACTS!!!!!!!! There are cities with rules barring those who get money from government from giving money to campaigns. Nevertheless, in Pittsburgh politics, more than half of the top 100 campaign donors have economic relationships with the city.
Pay-to-Play practices have come under scrutiny by both the federal government and a number of states. In Illinois, federal prosecutors in 2006 were investigating “pay-to-play allegations that surround Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration.” The allegations of pay-to-play in Illinois became a national scandal after the arrest of Gov. Blagojevich in December 2008, on charges that, among other things, he and a staffer attempted to “sell” the vacated U.S. Senate seat of president-elect Barack Obama.
Many agencies have been created to regulate and control campaign contributions. Furthermore, many third-party government “watchdog” groups have formed to monitor campaign donations and make them more transparent.
If we want ethical and effective government, it must start with you, the people of Pittsburgh!!!!!! Quoted from –Wikipedia– Post-Gazette and the Tribune- Review.
Are You Eligible to Vote?
To register to vote in Pennsylvania, you must be:
A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.
A resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which you want to register and vote for at least 30 days before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.
At least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next primary, special, municipal, or general election. At least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.
Eligibility for Convicted Felons
The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled on December 26, 2000 that the Pennsylvania law prohibiting convicted felons from registering to vote for five years after their release from prison is unconstitutional.
Convicted felons who are incarcerated on the date of a primary or general election are not eligible to vote, regardless of whether they are registered. However, pre-trial detainees and misdemeanants are eligible to register to vote and/or to vote by absentee ballot if they otherwise qualify to vote under law.
As Mayor I will form partnerships with various chambers of commerce, rotary clubs as well as Universities and Colleges as part of an overall economic strategy in developing small businesses in our neighborhoods.
Because of a need for a professional atmosphere, business advice and office equipment and the sheer expense of it all, my plan of incubation can limit the costs often associated with start-ups. Here is an example of some services that can be shared: access to office equipment, high-speed internet, education in accounting, human resources, marketing and other business practices, as well as expert consulting services. Because of collaboration, small business will thrive thereby stimulating real growth in our neighborhoods.
Feb 2009 13:53:17 -0500
Hello,
First let me start by saying that I’m 100% behind electing Ms Robinson, but I see serious issues with the direction this email flyer is taking. Yes, Obama is our first elected Black president and true, Tomlin is the youngest coach to win the Super Bowl. Never once has it been printed that Tomlin is the first Black coach to win. In fact, if you were to only hear it announced on the ratio…you wouldn’t know his color. But neither campaign was won by putting color first because that’s not the main focus. If the was another Black running for mayor it wouldn’t be the slogan. Even if the Soul Blast version is only meant for “our” eyes…it’s the wrong message top send. Everyone can see that she’s Black. It doesn’t have to be the driving force of the campaign. “She’s Nobody’s Boy” just comes off wrong. Take that “feel” and focus on her becoming the first woman mayor of Pittsburgh. Let her credentials and platform for unity be what gets not just Black votes, but ALL votes. Obama won because his campaign didn’t exclude whites. He was never a “Black only” candidate. That worked for the United States voters and the same will work for Pittsburgh. Let’s not forget there are votes needed for areas like Mt Lebanon, Fox Chapel, and Swickley. If they see these campaign posters…the race is over before it gets started.
Response-
I believe the Blast” was only in celebration of black history. Although I am black, I am not the “black candidate” and I hope everyone will see this! The sender of the “blast” had my permission to demonstrate BLACK PRIDE! How often have people of color been motivated to love one another and to share a common bond. Make no mistake; I am intending to be the Mayor of all citizens of Pittsburgh and to do what is best for all. I will show pride in African American achievements as well as American accomplishments. Never forget America just celebrated American history January 20, 2009. Not JUST A MAN SWORN IN as President BUT A BLACK MAN!!!!!!! It is history, let us speak about it! As to She’s nobody’s boy this Came from a past Mayor’s slogan. It meant “pay to Play” would not happen on that Mayor’s watch or I’m not a good old boy! I like it because, I like the first meaning and I’m a woman. Although I want people of Mt Lebanon, Fox Chapel, and Sewickley to support me they are not in the City Limits; I hope every person in non minority neighborhoods ( a fact that still exists),will see pride and feel good feelings about a people who are proud of themselves. Thanks, for your comments. I will be more careful in the future!
Hi Ms. Robinson,
You spoke to us tonight through your community liaison at our Operation Save One Meeting. Thank you for that.
I have a couple of questions - I have researched your website, I like what you stand for; I would like to ask how you feel about Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) and the exploitation of Tax Increment Financing that has been happening (Bakery Square, Target up near Camp Horne, etc.).
RESPONSE— Carmen L. Robinson,
A Community Benefits Agreement is a contract signed by community groups and by a developer to provide economic development to a local community or neighborhood. It is “generally” legally enforceable.
These agreements set forth a range of community benefits that the developer agrees to provide as part of a development project in exchange for community support of a given project. Successful community benefits agreements rely heavily upon the formation of a multi-issue, broad based community coalition including community, environmental, faith-based and labor organizations.
Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, is a public financing method, which has been used for redevelopment and community improvement projects. TIF is a tool to use future gains in taxes to finance the current improvements that will create those gains. When a public project such as a road, school, or hazardous waste cleanup is carried out, there is often an increase in the value of surrounding real estate, and perhaps new investment (new or rehabilitated buildings, for example). This increased site value and investment generates increased tax revenues. The increased tax revenues are the “tax increment.” Tax Increment Financing dedicates tax increments within a certain defined district to finance debt issued to pay for the project. TIF is designed to channel funding toward improvements in distressed or underdeveloped areas where development would not otherwise occur. TIF creates funding for public projects that may otherwise be unaffordable to localities. However, the designation of the areas as blighted can allow governmental condemnation of property through eminent domain.
A complaint—funding often goes toward what have been traditionally considered private improvements with public’s dollars. Developers profit from these Improvements. When the public “invests” in these improvements, the developers receive the return.
CBA economic development projects are subsidized by taxpayer dollars however; they produce ‘competing” or adverse results for citizens. While many of these projects create necessary jobs and tax revenues back to areas that have been depressed, there is usually no guarantee that the project will benefit current residents because of inner-city gentrification. Usually, the project pushes out low-income residents because housing prices often will rise. Moreover, most projects create large numbers of dead-end low-wage jobs in retail and the service area. With strong bargaining power from community groups, ethical leadership from our government (since the process can lead to favoritism for politically connected developers, lawyers, economic development directors and other implementers), the developer can be held accountable. Often the goals of the community are broad based because of the many different needs of the community. The developer and unethical govt. thrives in this “gray”. Without a specific demand from the community the developer and government “wiggles out” and the community loses.
Benefits contained in a CBA should be stated explicitly. Such as stores, rents will be subsidized. In addition, that agreement must state all wages developed from these newly created jobs will be a living wage. These agreements must state what that wage actually will be. Finally, those agreements must provide affordable housing for the low to middle wage earner, did you notice I did not use the word goal. That word provides wiggle room.
As to Bakery Square, Walnut capital’s video touts that it will be a “Mecca for disposable income.” I am certain that the agreement put together was written in “gray” because; it does not address that particular communities’ concerns. Using public financing for the affluent is not what the purpose of TIF!
“PAY to Play”
In politics, pay to play refers to a system by which one pays (or must pay) money in order to become a player. The common denominator of all forms of pay to play is that one must pay to “get in the game,” with the sports analogy frequently arising. Typically, the payer (an individual, business, or organization) makes campaign contributions to public officials, party officials, or parties themselves, and receives political or pecuniary benefit such as no-bid government contracts, influence over legislation, political appointments or nominations, special access or other favors. The contributions, less frequently, may be to nonprofit or institutional entities, or may take the form of some benefit to a third party, such as a family member of a governmental official.
The phrase, almost always used in criticism, also refers to the increasing cost of elections and the “price of admission” to even run and the concern “that one candidate can far outspend his opponents, essentially buying the election.” While the direct exchange of campaign contributions for contracts is the most visible form of Pay to Play, the greater concern is the central role of money in politics, and its skewing both the composition and the policies of government. Thus, those who can pay the price of admission, such as to a $1000/plate dinner or $25,000 “breakout session,” gain access to power and/or its spoils, to the exclusion of those who cannot or will not pay: “giving certain people advantages that others don’t have because they donated to your campaign.”
Good-government advocates consider this an outrage because “political fundraising should have no relationship to policy recommendations.” Citizens for Responsible Ethics in Washington called the “Pay-to-Play Congress” one of the top 10 scandals of 2008.
Incumbent candidates and their political organizations are typically the greatest beneficiaries of Pay-to-Play. Both the Democratic and Republican parties have been criticized for the practice. Many seeking to ban or restrict the practice characterize pay-to-play as legalized corruption. The opposite of a pay-to-play system is one that is “fair and open.” Pittsburgh must get rid of their NO BID CONTRACTS!!!!!!!! There are cities with rules barring those who get money from government from giving money to campaigns. Nevertheless, in Pittsburgh politics, more than half of the top 100 campaign donors have economic relationships with the city.
Pay-to-Play practices have come under scrutiny by both the federal government and a number of states. In Illinois, federal prosecutors in 2006 were investigating “pay-to-play allegations that surround Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration.” The allegations of pay-to-play in Illinois became a national scandal after the arrest of Gov. Blagojevich in December 2008, on charges that, among other things, he and a staffer attempted to “sell” the vacated U.S. Senate seat of president-elect Barack Obama.
Many agencies have been created to regulate and control campaign contributions. Furthermore, many third-party government “watchdog” groups have formed to monitor campaign donations and make them more transparent.
If we want ethical and effective government, it must start with you, the people of Pittsburgh!!!!!! Quoted from –Wikipedia– Post-Gazette and the Tribune- Review.
Are You Eligible to Vote?
To register to vote in Pennsylvania, you must be:
A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.
A resident of Pennsylvania and the election district in which you want to register and vote for at least 30 days before the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.
At least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next primary, special, municipal, or general election. At least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.
Eligibility for Convicted Felons
The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled on December 26, 2000 that the Pennsylvania law prohibiting convicted felons from registering to vote for five years after their release from prison is unconstitutional.
Convicted felons who are incarcerated on the date of a primary or general election are not eligible to vote, regardless of whether they are registered. However, pre-trial detainees and misdemeanants are eligible to register to vote and/or to vote by absentee ballot if they otherwise qualify to vote under law.
