Pittsburgh Councilwoman Harris' outburst results in $20 fine

Several tense days of Pittsburgh City Council budget hearings ended Friday with council President Bruce Kraus taking the unusual step of fining Councilwoman Darlene Harris $20 for what he called disruptive behavior.

Council rules permit Kraus to fine members $5 to $20 for “disregarding the rules of order and decorum,” he said.

Kraus, of the South Side, said Harris was out of order when she grabbed his gavel, banged it several times and threw it at him.

“Bruce had a bad day, but we're still friends,” said Harris of Spring Hill, a North Side neighborhood. She declined further comment.

Her outburst Friday wasn't the first, though.

On Wednesday, she called Mayor Bill Peduto's Deputy Chief of Staff John Fournier a liar during a heated debate regarding the Bureau of Building Inspection. Kraus attempted to interrupt Harris during the exchange.

On Friday, Kraus admonished Harris after she jokingly said he “drank Kool-Aid,” a reference to Kraus' support of Peduto's initiatives.

The final blowup occurred when Kraus interrupted Harris as she questioned a Peduto administrator. She refused to cede her right to speak.

It was the first time in recent memory that a council president has taken action against a member.

“I know it's happened a handful of times, but it's been years,” said council Clerk Mary Beth Doheny, a city employee for 34 years.

Bob Bauder is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-765-2312 or bbauder@tribweb.com.