There were some interesting developments in the world of local legislation over the past two months.
In May, Allegheny County Council President Pat Catena stepped down from his role, though he remained on the council representing District Four. He resigned before council could vote on removing him from the position, which a majority of council members had indicated they were prepared to do.
This was in response to some campaign literature distributed during Catena’s campaign for an open state House seat in the 45th District. In the closing stretch of the Democratic primary, his campaign issued mailers criticizing opponent Brittany Bloam for receiving support from a group that advocates for transgender athletes.
Catena apologized for the message and accepted responsibility for its distribution but it still created backlash on the council. Jordan Botta, Dan Grzybek, Paul Klein, Kathleen Madonna-Emmerling, Lissa Geiger Shulman, Alex Rose and Bethany Hallam announced on May 13th they would support a motion to vacate the chair and hold a new election for Council President.
Though he remains on the Council, Catena resigned as its President that same month, ending a six-year run. He was replaced by a unanimous vote by Michelle Naccarati-Chapkris, who represents District Eight, which includes eastern communities like Plum, Monroeville, Braddock, and Wilmerding.
In Naccarati-Chapkris’ official bio, she describes herself as an advocate for the environment and health. Her work has included efforts focused on lead exposure, air quality, land conservation, and municipal planning. She is heavily involved as the Director of Land Protection for the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for 13 years before becoming the Executive Director of Women for a Healthy Environment since 2009.
Women for a Healthy Environment is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization focused on environmental health and the impact of environmental exposures on children, families and communities. The organization advocates for policies related to lead poisoning prevention, radon testing in schools and childcare centers, air quality, drinking water quality, PFAS and other chemical exposures, and the use of pesticides in public spaces.
Healthcare became from and center in May, after the Allegheny County Health Department proposed extending paid paternity leave to improve infant and maternal health. The draft would require 18 weeks of paid parental leave with 100 percent wage replacement for birth, adoption or foster placement. Funding was to come entirely by the employer; employees would be eligible after thirty days of employment and would apply to all employers regardless of size.
The Health Department sent the draft to the Allegheny County Board of Health, which reviewed and voted to release for public comment.
Neither the Health Department nor the Board of Health are a part of County Council, they operate under the executive branch. The two groups oversee health department regulations and public health policy. Its members are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council, and historically, they deal with things like air quality, restaurant regulations, plumbing codes, sewage, disease control, and similar public health matters.
After taking over the County Executive role in 2024, Sara Innamorato replaced all but one of its members. The Board is currently Chaired by Dr. Elizabeth Cuevas, an internal Medicine and Addiction Specialist who is nationally recognized for her work with AHN Center For Inclusion Health. In interviews with Pittsburgh Public Source shortly after their appointment, many described themselves as advocates for reform, promising they would take a more activist role in regional health care.
The public comment period on the proposed changes to parental care runs through July 15th of this year. After that, the Health Department will compile comments the Health Board will decide whether to modify the proposal before taking a final vote. If approved, it would then be sent to the County Council to codify.
Interestingly, the County Council cannot amend what the Health Board recommends. It can only vote yay or no on the proposal as is. Having the health department regulate parental leave is also rather remarkable. If enacted, it would make Allegheny one of the country’s first to do so. If enacted as is, it would almost certainly face immediate legal challenges.
Equally interesting was a June move by the County Council to place two charter amendments on the November ballot that would remove long-standing restrictions on the legislative body's budget and access to county-funded benefits.
The measures would eliminate a charter provision capping council's annual operating budget at 0.4% of locally levied tax revenue and remove prohibitions on council members receiving benefits such as health insurance, pensions, district offices and personal staff.
The vote passed by two 9-6 votes and exposed a sharp philosophical divide amongst council members over the role and resources of the legislative body. Supporters argued that removing the charter restrictions would give council the tools necessary to effectively oversee county government, analyze budgets, and serve as an independent check on the executive branch.
Opponents countered that eliminating spending limits and restrictions on benefits sends the wrong message to taxpayers, particularly following the county’s recent property tax increase, and could create the appearance of the council expanding its own authority and compensation.
No member of the council returned our calls inquiring as to what was prompting this proposed change, but from the meeting transcript and in conversations with sources who have worked with or within the group, it appears the debate is over whether the legislative body should remain lean or evolve into a more professionalized institution with the resources to challenge the executive branch.
That decision now rests with voters, who will determine in November whether the County Council should continue operating under its current constraints or be granted broader authority over its own resources and operations.
