On the “Watch List”:

• The new police contract. Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1 of the Fraternal Order of Police says it has reached a tentative new contract with the City of Pittsburgh. But no details of the proposal will be released until a state oversight board signs off on it and the police union approves it. But that’s not acceptable. The city has a responsibility to make public this agreement before it’s signed, sealed and delivered. The same rule should be applied to all contracts. After all, it’s the public that foots the bill.

• Cyril Wecht. The former Allegheny County coroner is toying with a run for the Democrats’ nomination for governor. It would, of course, throw a large wrench into the best laid plans of Dan Onorato and Jack Wagner, also seeking their party’s nod. For there’s no doubt that Dr. Wecht would garner lots of attention from one of the fastest growing voter blocs in Pennsylvania — those shafted by the government.

Lance: To the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority. That the contractor who handles the agency’s billing sent out 13,000 bills with incorrect charges is bad enough. What’s worse is that the PWSA uses an out-of-state contractor who, in turn, uses a Malaysian contractor for the job, and that’s worth review. Is there really no Pittsburgh firm that can, competitively, do such billing, employing Pittsburghers and bolstering the local economy?

Laurel: To Darryl Jones. At least four Pittsburgh firefighters have been charged with alcohol-related offenses since November. And Mr. Jones, the fire chief, is quick to acknowledge the gravity of the situation: “Yes, there is a problem … and we are taking the problem very, very seriously.” Such recognition is refreshing in an era in which denial remains in vogue.

Lance: To Allegheny County Council. Following the lead of its Pittsburgh City Council counterparts, it soon is expected to propose legislation allowing the government to mandate wages and benefits for employees of some companies receiving public subsidies. Wages would be based not on skill or productivity but on a government formula. The economic ignorami are running the insane asylum all along Grant Street these days.

Laurel: To the flying public. Increased demand from local air travelers means JetBlue Airways will, by June 17, add a third daily nonstop flight between Pittsburgh and Boston. And its second seasonal daily nonstop flight between Pittsburgh and Boston will be restored beginning May 1. That’s good news for travelers, whose demand will be met, not to mention an airport that has become a shadow of its former self.

Copyright ©2026— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)