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Council advances referendums on anti-discrimination and water ownership for May ballot
Summary
Council members debated and advanced ballot questions to supplement the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter with anti-discrimination language and a provision restricting sale or lease of water and sewer systems; one charter-related bill passed by a 6–2 recorded vote.
Pittsburgh City Council on Feb. 4 moved forward multiple proposed ballot questions that would amend the city’s Home Rule Charter to add anti-discrimination language and to restrict sale or lease of the city’s potable water, wastewater and storm sewer systems.
Council members in the finance committee meeting read multiple referendum ordinances that would place questions before voters in the May 2025 primary. The measures read into the record included adding a new charter section to prohibit discrimination in city conduct on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, disability, place of birth and national origin; a separate proposal would limit use of the charter amendment process to prevent adding duties beyond the city’s lawful authority; and another ordinance would create an article asserting a "right to public ownership" of potable water, wastewater and storm sewer systems.
Why it matters: The water-ownership question is intended to protect public control of water and sewer assets and was discussed in the context of an ongoing asset-transfer process involving Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA). The anti-discrimination question would expand the charter’s protections and was debated amid concerns about whether the charter amendment process should be restricted.
What council members said: Councilman Charland asked how the referendum would affect the city’s ability to transact property under the state’s second-class city laws; a council member noted the city currently does not own the water system and that PWSA would be the asset owner under ongoing negotiations. Councilwoman Strasburger said referendum language includes a limited "relief valve" to allow a narrow, unforeseen private transfer if absolutely necessary.
Vote and next steps: Several of the ballot-related bills were reported from committee and advanced. When final votes were taken later in the meeting, the clerk announced that Bills 14-07, 14-08, 14-24, 14-25 and 14-52 passed with recorded affirmative tallies; Bill 14-26 (the provision intended to prohibit use of the charter amendment process to add duties beyond the city’s authority) passed on a 6–2 recorded vote during the final roll call.
Ending: Council members said legal counsel and committee staff will continue to refine language and provide legal context before council takes any further action.
