On Saturday, Allegheny Commons in the North Side was filled with teens from throughout the Pittsburgh region, all gathered to do one thing – play ultimate frisbee. Councilman Bill Peduto stopped by the tournament to watch the nine teams from schools throughout the region compete, with the ultimate goal of raising money to give back to the community.  The nrg Powered by Pittsburgh ultimate frisbee tournament raised a total of $1,000 that day, and over 100 local teenagers participated in the day’s activities.  The money raised will go to Venture Outdoors Pittsburgh.

The Penn State Hershey Center for Nutrition and Activity Promotion’s program nrg Power by Choice is a campaign that encourages teens to get active, with the goal of combating the growing problem of childhood obesity.  It encourages teenagers to pay attention to healthy eating habits, and healthy physical activity habits.

The reformation comes to the City of Pittsburgh this week, as City Council prepares to vote this Wednesday on Councilman Bill Peduto’s reform package.

This package will end “pay-to-play” politics in our city through several different reforms to our current system.  If passed on Wednesday, this package will:

• Cap contributions by individuals at $2,000 for Mayoral and City Controller Races, and $1,000 for City Council races
• Mandate the creation of an online, searchable database of all campaign contributions and city contracts
• Ban all no-bid contracts over $30,000
• Create the Lobbyist Disclosure Act, which would require all lobbyists to register annually with the city
• Create the Lobbyist Registration Act, which would require all contract bidders to disclose any payments to lobbyists and consultants
• Strengthen the city’s ethics code to greatly limit gifts to government officials

Now we need you to speak out for true reform for your city!  Click here to tell your  City Council representative that you support clean government reforms!

Now is your chance to speak up to clean up City Hall!

Celebrate Earth Day with Councilman Bill Peduto and benefit Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest at PeduTube IV!

Come out to Cappy’s Cafe on Walnut Street in Shadyside, this Saturday April 25, from 10:00pm to 2:00am.  Councilman Peduto will work as the video dj for the evening, taking requests from you!  

For a $5 donation, you can see  your favorite YouTube video on the screen.  All proceeds from PeduTube IV will go to Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest.

The Peduto campaign is in full swing, and looking for volunteers!

This week’s focus is doing a LARGE mailing to thousands of voters, with the goal of a further growing our progressive coalition.  Our coalition is growing, but we need YOU to reach our goal.
If you are a supporter of Councilman Bill Peduto, please commit some time, whether you’re available for one, two or more hours on any of the following dates:

Thursday April 23:  5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Any of the following days, anytime from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.:
Friday, April 24
Saturday, April 25
Sunday, April 26

We look forward to hearing from you!   Please contact us at 412 361-6113, or  info@billpeduto.com

Yesterday, Councilman Bill Peduto held a press conference to present his plan for a clean government for the City of Pittsburgh.  He presented several proposals, all with the goal of bringing an end to “Pay-to-Play” politics in our City.

These reforms include an amendment to lower the contribution limits in Mayor Ravenstahl’s proposed campaign finance reform legislation, and would cap contributions by individuals at $2,000 for Mayoral and City Controller races, and $1,000 for City Council races.  They would also mandate the creation of an online, searchable database of all campaign contributions and all city contracts, and would put an end to all no-bid city contracts over $30,000.  Lobbyists would be required to register annually with the City, and  contract bidders would be required to disclose any payments to consultants and lobbyists.

To learn more, read the proposed package for clean government here:

Reform Bills Summary
Lobbyist Disclosure Act
Lobbyist Registration Act
Eliminating No-Bid Contracts
Campaign Finance Reform Ammendments

What others are saying about Bill’s proposal to clean up City government:

• Peduto to Propose Changes in Rules On Campaign Donations – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
• Peduto: Time to End “Pay-to-Play” Politics – KDKA
• Campaign Finance Reform Bills on the Table - WTAE
• Peduto Bill Pushes for Reform of City Contracts, Campaign Contributions – Post Gazette
• End Pay to Play Legislative Package – WDUQ News

Today I will introduce a package of bills aimed at reforming government in Pittsburgh and ending “pay-to-play” politics.  The legislation includes:
  

1. Campaign Finance Reform legislation that sets donation limits per election.
2. The creation of an online, searchable database of all campaign contributions and contracts.
3. The elimination of no-bid contracts.
4. The Lobbyist Registration Act, which will require the annual registration of all lobbyists in Pittsburgh.
5. The Lobbyist Disclosure Act, which will require all RFP responses to disclose all finders fees and payments to lobbyists.

For too long, Pittsburgh has operated under a “pay-to-play” system.  Today is just the first step to bring transparency, fairness, and financial responsibility to City government.

Last week, members of the Pittsburgh Chess Club played at a chess demonstration at Duquesne University, and Councilman Bill Peduto was in attendance as a special guest.  

The club includes international chess grandmaster Darmen Sadvakassov, a Kazakhstan native who is now a graduate student in the Heinz College School of Public Policy & Management at Carnegie Mellon University.  Sadvakassov played 12 others at the same time without even looking at the boards.  Councilman Peduto made the first move of the event against the grandmaster.  Sadvakassov sits with his back to the boards, and judges move his pieces for him after he hears his opponents moves announced by a game official.  He beat 11 of the 12 opponents, and had 1 draw.

The goal of the demonstration was to attract new members to join the Pittsburgh Chess Club, and to show just how much fun the game of chess can be.  Councilman Peduto has helped to bring chess to local events, and is currently working to provide opportunities for the chess club to work with children and others in our parks, particularly Mellon Park.  He was the chess club honoree at the club’s fundraiser last year, and even though they do not endorse political candidates, he always finds time to help them gain exposure and promote their incredible story.

Check out the article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review for more details.

Last week, Scott attended the Fair Housing Poetry Slam event at the Improv in the Waterfront.  The theme of this poetry slam was “Ending Segregation: Just Say the Word.”  Participants performed their pieces before a panel and competed for cash prizes, while entertaining all in attendance.  Click here to watch the performance of the winner, Vanessa German.

The Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh has worked to promote equal choice in housing opportunities for all groups since 1975.  The group both counsels individuals on equal opportunity housing issues, and actively works to make sure that fair housing laws are enforced in the Pittsburgh area.

Last night, Councilman Peduto spoke to supporters about his vision for the City of Pittsburgh at a reception at Enrico’s restaurant in Shadyside.  

Thanks to all of those who came out to show your support last night!  Thank you also to all of our super volunteers that were in attendance – we could not be successful without you! 

If you were not able to make it last night, but would still like to show your support, join us for another reception on Monday, April 20 at Lucca Restaurant in Oakland. 

Monday, April 20
Lucca Restaurant
317 S. Craig Street
5:30pm – 7:30pm
A suggested contribution of $100 is requested.

Do you believe in a lean government, a clean government, and a green government for the City of Pittsburgh?  Come out tonight and show your support for Councilman Bill Peduto at Enrico’s Restaurant in Shadyside.

Enrico’s Restaurant
5863 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside
5:30pm – 7:30pm
A suggested contribution of $100 per person is requested.

Hope to see you there!