By Councilman Bobby Wilson | Columnist
Hello everyone and Happy New Year!
I hope everyone had a joyous and fulfilling holiday season with family and friends. I want to address the 20% tax increase that was approved by City Council at the end of last year which impacted the 2026 Budget. I want to be clear — I did not vote to raise taxes. I did not agree with my colleagues on the severity of the budgetary issues and wanted to take the time to look more closely at the spending of each department; I believe there was a way to deliver government more efficiently without cutting services and without raising taxes. However, I was in the minority from that perspective. Proposing a tax increase without contemplating new revenue sources that didn’t solely burden city residents was not a plan I was comfortable with; therefore, I voted “NO” to the 20% tax increase. I am still unsure of how this influx of revenue will better the lives of Pittsburghers, but I am committed to making sure we see real results.
I’m happy to share that the Pittsburgh Land Bank sold 100 properties in 2025, delivering real results for the residents of the City. This means more tax revenue for the City and more importantly, more residents becoming homeowners. Early last year, I passed legislation establishing a Sustainable Funding Task Force for the Pittsburgh Land Bank and it published its report of recommendations at the end of the year. The report finds that Pittsburgh still has thousands of long vacant and distressed properties and warns that the Land Bank’s work could slow after federal funding expires at the end of 2026. To eradicate the over 13,000 distressed parcels, a 5-year investment to the Land Bank would need to be between $32 and $35 million annually. I will continue to work on finding a funding source so that the Land Bank can continue to deliver on its success and bring more tax revenue back to the City. More details can be found in the press release here: pittsburghpa.gov/City-Government/City-Council/Districts/Bobby-Wilson-District-1/1-District-1-Newsletters-Press-Releases/Task-Force-Report-Finds-Pittsburgh-Could-Eliminate-Blight-in-Five-Years-with-Sustained-Land-Bank-Funding.
The start of a new year is the perfect time to sign up as a volunteer with the City’s Snow Angel Program. The program pairs nearby neighbors with older residents or residents with disabilities to assist them with snow removal on their sidewalks and walkways. Along with fostering stronger community relationships and relieving some of the stress that comes from a snowfall or freeze, Snow Angels make the City’s sidewalks safer for those who are outside during the winter weather, like postal carriers, firefighters, police officers, and other neighbors.
To request a Snow Angel, you must be at least 62 years old, or have a physical disability, live within the City of Pittsburgh, and do not have resources (financial or family and friends nearby) to assist with snow removal. Full details on how to become a Snow Angel or to request one, can be found online engage.pittsburghpa.gov/snow-angels or by calling 311. Residents can contact the Snow Angels Program directly at [email protected].
Lastly, I look forward to working with the new O’Connor Administration to deliver services to the residents of District 1 and the Northside.
If you have any questions or concerns, call us at (412) 255-2135, email us at [email protected], find us on Facebook and X, and sign up for our newsletter (pittsburghpa.gov/City-Government/City-Council/Districts/Bobby-Wilson-District-1). My staff and I look forward to working together to make 2026 a great year for the Northside!
