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A Resolution of the County of Allegheny directing the port Authority of Allegheny County to take certain actions pertaining to proposed or in-force lobbying contracts.
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Whereas, the Port Authority of Allegheny County was created pursuant to the terms of the Second Class County Port Authority Act, 55 P.S. §551 et. seq.; and
Whereas, the rights and powers of the Port Authority of Allegheny County are specifically delineated in 55 P.S. §553(b), and although the Authority is vested with the power to enter contracts necessary or convenient for carrying on its business, there is no hint that the Authority's power was intended by the General Assembly to encompass contracts for lobbying activities; and
Whereas, 55 P.S. §553(a) explicitly provides that the Port Authority is created "for the purpose of planning, acquiring, holding, constructing, improving, maintaining and operating, owning, leasing, either as lessor or lessee, port facilities within the port district, and a transportation system in the county by which it is incorporated and outside of the county to the extent necessary for (i) the establishment of an integrated system; (ii) the establishment of additional transit service where none at the time is being otherwise rendered; (iii) the establishment of rapid transit facilities over jointly used or exclusive fixed rights of way and (iv) the rendering of all group and party services which can be provided by transportation systems subject to acquisition under this act pursuant to certificates of public convenience issued them by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission," none of which contemplates lobbying activities on the part of the Authority; and
Whereas, according to published reports, the Port Authority of Allegheny County has retained a local law firm to conduct lobbying work on its behalf through 2009, at a cost of $750,000, and is currently considering spending up to $400,000 more to retain as many as three other lobb...
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