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Council schedules public hearings for two Home Rule Charter referendum questions
Summary
Council introduced two referendum ordinances to appear on the May 2026 primary ballot—one to change budget approval timing if the mayor does not act, and another to modernize public hearing notice rules after the loss of newspapers—and voted to hold both for public hearing.
PITTSBURGH — City Council moved to schedule public hearings on two proposed Home Rule Charter amendments it plans to send to the May 2026 primary ballot.
Sponsors presented Bill 39, which would change budget-approval rules so that if the mayor does not act (by signing, vetoing, or returning an ordinance) the city’s budget would take effect to ensure timely passage at the end of the legislative session. The sponsor said the proposal responds to recent delays in the budget process.
Bill 40 would alter public hearing notice requirements in the charter to reflect the loss of newspapers of general circulation in the city. The sponsor said the law department had identified the Post-Gazette as the statutory newspaper of record and that the amendment would permit alternative notice methods going forward.
Council voted by voice to hold both bills for public hearing. The measures must meet timing rules to appear on the May primary ballot; the sponsor noted deadlines associated with getting questions onto the ballot.
What’s next: The council will hold public hearings on the two charter questions, and if approved by council the measures would be placed on the May 2026 primary ballot for voter consideration.
Provenance: Sponsor remarks and the motion to hold for public hearing were recorded during the papers presentation and motions (bills 39 and 40).
