PITTSBURGH, November 10, 2015 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) today issued a statement in response to the audit report issued by state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale. The audit concludes that the state-imposed Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA) should be dissolved and that Pittsburgh’s government leaders should dedicate gaming proceeds to reduce its municipal pension liability.

In September, Fontana introduced legislation (Senate Bill 1024) that would disband the ICA. He called the agency’s continued oversight “unnecessary, redundant and a waste of taxpayer dollars.” Fontana provided the following comment today:

“The Auditor General’s thorough report underscores the fact that ICA has outlived both its purpose and need. While I do not dispute its role in helping the city emerge from financial problems, there is no longer any realistic need or justifiable reason for this agency to continue its oversight operations – at taxpayers’ expense.

“The audit also pinpoints numerous flaws in the 2004 law that established the ICA; and dispels the agency’s claim and reasoning for continuing its operations. Their recent decisions did not follow any formal rules of order and there are serious concerns about transparency. The time has come for the ICA to be dissolved. Its continued operation has not only disrupted and impeded the city’s elected leaders from doing their job, but clearly conflicts with the law’s conditional dictates for disbanding.

“I credit the Auditor General and his staff for their work on this detailed report. Hopefully, the state Department of Community and Economic Development will exercise the statutory right to eliminate it. In the meantime, I will use this audit and its conclusions to help compel consideration of my legislation in Harrisburg.”

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