MAYOR RAVENSTAHL VETO SURPRISE

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl snuck in a veto on New Year's eve. It was on the prevailing wage bill. The Mayor delivered his veto to Pittsburgh City Council shortly before 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, after most members had left the building. Council President Doug Shields could only get five council members' votes at a special meeting at 6:30 last night to try to override the veto. It was one less than he needed. Shields says he will reintroduce the legislation this month. The prevailing wage bill wold have guaranteed hotel, cafeteria and building maintenance workers at future city-subsidized development sites wages equal to the average of other similar workers in the city. But Mayor Ravenstahl said he vetoed the measure because the prevailing wage might encourage developers to look outside the city when considering projects.