Everyone drinks beer in January

Who's surprised that the drink tax is on schedule to bring in more money than expected? Not me.

The drink tax has brought in $7.5 Million in the first 3 months of operation. Right on target to pay for the $30 Million it was earmarked to generate. Of course, that's ignoring profits from the car rental tax. That's also ignoring that over 50% of the liquor license holders haven't yet paid for March..

According to Onorato's spokesman, "We don't believe that you can extrapolate the entire year's collection when we are just in the third month." I completely agree. Clearly, the profits from the drink tax will only skyrocket in the coming months. I've rarely seen the South Side bars more crowded than a day last week when the weather was beautiful. People love to go out to the bar in the spring/summer/fall when they can sit outside and enjoy a nice cold beer. Don't even get me started on how Steelers season brings people out to the bar...

So what's going to happen with all this extra money? And what happens to the drink tax next year?

(reference: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08121/877656-85.stm )

Oh, Barden...

So, there was enough public annoyance and talking about that Barden succumbed to not being a total a**hole. The money he promised to the Hill District will (in a roundabout way) eventually end up in the Hill District.

Thanks to the Post-Gazette and the Tribune-Review for reporting extensively on this subject and raising awareness of Barden's back-handed movements.

Of course, the bigger issue is why Barden (the dimwit) added money to the Hill District in his casino bid that was related to being awarded the arena area? Perhaps, in future bids, he'll stick to relevant items.

(reference: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08119/877286-100.stm)

Wine kiosks!

While I internally rebel against the concept of the PLCB (Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board) and all the red-tape and over-pricing and over-taxing associated with it, I am happy to find out about their upcoming plan for wine kiosks to be located in grocery stores or malls.

Of course, one has to wonder at a time when many states have banned cigarette machines on the basis of enforcing underage restrictions, that our state would create liquor machines. Thankfully, the legal problem is out of my hands and I only have the potential that wine will be easier to acquire in PA.

(reference: http://www.lcb.state.pa.us/plcb/cwp/view.asp?a=1334&q=559289)

Dear Port Authority,

I want to take your bus, but it just doesn't make sense for me financially. I do not commute to the city every day, but I live in the city and I want to use the bus to go to events.

For me and my husband to take your bus to and from one of the events you have a full-page advertisement for in the City Paper, it will cost us over $10. Even including wear and tear on my car, and the ever-increasing price of gas, my estimate is at less than $5 for the ride to Lawrenceville or downtown, not to mention that it's definitely more convenient to drive.

How about instead of wasting so much money on advertising, you give me an incentive to take the bus? How about Friday night date nights with a 2 for 1 special on the bus? How about an off-peak discount? How about a discount for taking the bus to one of your advertised events? How about bus rides cost $1 on a Saturday night when the bars close to discourage drunk driving? I've noticed that's not the most popular time to ride the bus.

Right now, it's just stupid for me to pay more to be inconvenienced by public transportation, and if that's the case, it makes me feel stupid for helping fund your advertisements. I'm willing to go slightly out of my way to benefit the environment, but to pay more than double isn't justifiable. I wish that would change.

Sincerely,
me

Here We Go

My reaction to assumptions about what Pittsburgh is and isn't:

Who's Bitter Now?

"Barden wants to drop funding for Hill," according to the latest Post-Gazette. Unfortunately, reading the article which Mark Belko scribed for us gives me no idea if this is justifiable or not.

I'm just confused. In 2006, Barden won the bid to build his casino here in Pittsburgh based partially on his commitment to spend $3 million over 3 years on the Hill District. This week, he's requesting to re-neg on that commitment. Of course, the casino is not in the Hill District. That is where the new Penguins arena is going to be. Of course, Barden, the developer of the casino, wanted to have his fingers in the arena pie, too, so in a completely unrelated twist he offered money to the Hill District in order to cement this desire?? Of course, the gaming council has full rights over whether to decline or accept this request? What reason would they have to accept his request? Who could deny funding to one of the most downtrodden areas of Pittsburgh and probably the state of Pennsylvania?? A disturbing hatred of the district? A substantial gift under the table from Mr Barden?

(reference: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08110/874794-336.stm)

Benefits of Living in a Swing State

"[Bill] Clinton's speaking tour in 2005 included 43 speeches in 14 countries. He began in February and averaged about four speeches a month, usually charging about $150,000 per event. On occasion, the price was much steeper."

And area residents can go see him talk for free in Clarion, Kittanning, and Cranberry Township this week. Sweet.

(references: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08107/873812-100.stm , http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/06/14/bill.clinton.speeches/index.html )