RCAC Weekly Newsletter

Can Environmental Mandates Reverse Pittsburgh's Decline?
By Elizabeth Stelle, Director of Policy Analysis at Commonwealth Foundation
President Trump summed up his opposition to the Paris Climate Accord by saying he was elected to represent Pittsburgh, not Paris. In response, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto issued an executive order honoring Pittsburgh's commitment to the climate agreement. Peduto remarked: "This exposure will show Pittsburgh as a shining example of how you can change an economy through innovation, if you're willing to be a part of understanding where the future is."
 
Sadly, Pittsburgh's economy is anything but an example for others to emulate. The city is losing population, public schools are underperforming, and poverty exceeds the national average. Instead of doubling down on mandates and subsidizing alternative energy companies, Mayor Peduto should focus on five obstacles to the city's success.
 
Population Decline : Pittsburgh lost population in the latest Census figures and has lost 2,100 residents since 2010. The city dropped four spots in population ranking since 2013.
The Pittsburgh Metro Area lost 11,742 residents in net domestic migration -residents moving out for better economic opportunities.

Underperforming Schools : Pittsburgh schools' graduation rate was only 83% in 2015-16.
--Only 51% of High School students were proficient on the Algebra 1 Keystone, and only 66% on the Literature Keystone.

--Low achievement is not for lack of funds. The district spends $23,146 per student - 31 st  among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts.

High Unemployment: Pittsburgh's unemployment rate of 4.7% exceeds the national average of 4.1%. 
Since 2000, the city has seen virtually no job growth.
High Poverty: The city's poverty rate of 22.9% is almost 10 points higher than the national rate. In addition. Pittsburgh has among the worst racial disparities in education, employment, and healthcare in the nation.

Below Average Income:  The median household income for Pittsburgh is $40,715; that's $13,000 less than the national average. 

In real dollars, the median income has barely grown (0.5%, adjusted for inflation) for Pittsburgh families.
 
Mayor Peduto is not alone in focusing on climate mandates instead of attracting new residents. Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued a statement revealing plans to introduce legislation requiring the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to adopt President Obama's Clean Power Plan regulations, even though he voted to delay those regulations last year.
 
Achieving 100 percent renewable electricity consumption for municipal operations or reducing energy consumption by 50 percent by 2023 may sound positive, but the track record of these government-directed initiatives reveals little success in reducing carbon and much to harm local economies. In fact, the Heritage Foundation estimates the Paris Agreement would cost 28,926 Pennsylvania jobs by 2023. NERA estimates a loss of 26,000 full-time jobs by 2025.
 
Worse, many local officials are actively fighting against the very things that could make Pittsburgh a destination city. For example, Mayor Peduto opposed natural gas drilling while on City Council, an industry that's created thousands of jobs in the region.
 
Pittsburgh's stagnant economy and fleeing population mirror the problems of Pennsylvania as a whole. Increasing educational choice for parents, emphasizing work in anti-poverty programs, and lowering taxes will do more to spur innovation and grow the Steel City than any executive order.

 


Plum Republican Dinner
In support of local Plum GOP candidates
 
Sunday August 27 @ 5 PM
 
Pugliano's Italian Grill,
1808 Golden Mile Highway Plum, PA 15239
 
Guest Speaker:
PA House Speaker Mike Turzai
 
Tickets: $30
 
RSVP to Steve Schlauch
at 724-787-8673 or
sdschlauch@gmail.com
 
Make checks payable:
Plum Borough Republican Committee

 
Republican Committee of Moon Township is Selling Elephant Pins
The Republican Committee of Moon Township is selling elephant pins for $10.00  each.  They will mail for an additional $2.00 per pin and  combined shipping for multiple orders to same address will be available.  Please contact Laura Schisler at lalajosan@gmail.com or 412-716-3978 for more information or to place an order.

Inform RCAC of Upcoming Events
RCAC would like to partner with the local committees, and candidate campaigns in ensuring a presence at these events.  We believe this is an excellent opportunity to recruit volunteers and committee members, distribute candidate information, and register individuals to vote. If you are aware of any upcoming events, please email the details to Ryan Rabea at Director@rcac.net.
Republican Committee of Allegheny County Internship
Location: Green Tree, PA
Position: Part Time / Unpaid. Compensation is available for travel.  
The Republican Committee of Allegheny County is currently looking for motivated, politically interested individuals for internships. Initially, the position will require 15-20 hours a week. Certain weeks will require more time than others, depending on the political schedule. This is a great opportunity to build valuable campaign experience and establish long lasting relationships in the world of Pennsylvania politics. 

 Duties will include:
  • Coordinating events
  • Voter Contact / community outreach
  • Attending local events
  • Assisting office and campaigns
  • Research
  • Social media
  • General office tasks

Please email your resume to:

Ryan Rabea

Executive Director

director@rcac.net  


Words of Wisdom

"We must face the fact that the preservation of individual freedom is incompatible with a full satisfaction of our views of distributive justice." 

 - Fredrich von Hayek, economist
Trivia Question

When announcing that he was withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Accord, which city did President Trump say he was elected to represent rather than Paris?

A. New York
B. Chicago
C. Pittsburgh
D. Philadelphia
RCAC Needs Your Support
RCAC is the voice of the Republican Party in Allegheny County providing guidance and support to candidates and volunteers. RCAC maintains an office space and staff year-round. Our goals include increasing the registration of Republican voters and assist in electing Republicans to office.
 
We are now able to accept online donations.  To donate please follow the link HERE that will direct you to our websites Donation Page, or make out a check to "RCAC" and send to Republican Committee of Allegheny County, 100 Fleet Street Suite 205, Pittsburgh, PA 15220.  We would encourage all Republicans to please consider assisting us with financial support.  
  
Where Do Your Dollars Go?
  • Cost and maintenance of the RCAC Headquarters office
  • Technology: Phones, Computers, Website, Facebook outreach
  • Education & Services to Voters and Candidates
  • Training for Candidates and volunteers
  • Providing Caucuses, Assemblies, and Meetings as mandated by State Law, and our RCAC By-laws
Trivia Answer
Answer:  C - President Trump said "I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris."

Do You Have President Trump's Back

Since Election Day, the radical left and their allies in the media have been working overtime to viciously attack and undermine President Trump.
 
To put it bluntly: They want to kill our agenda to Make America Great Again!

Our party, President Trump and GOP elected officials will continue to be targeted by paid protestors and radical leftists until we fight back.

We need your help right NOW to fight back. With your help, we will recruit and train a grassroots army of new volunteers committed to defeating the radical left and Making America Great Again.

Will you show that you have President Trump's back by contributing $100, $50, $25 or even $5 today by going to this Link.

Thank you for all that you do to keep our party strong,


Grassroots Tip
 
Voter Registration 
One of our top priorities as committee members is to register Republican voters.   There is no substitute for building the party through the recruitment of new registrants.   Remember that most citizens, when asked, will want to exercise their right to vote.
  
The requirements for voting are simple:
1. Must be an American citizen;
2. Must be 18 years old by the DAY AFTER the next election;
3. Must have lived in the election district for 30 days prior to the next election.
  
New voters must complete a form listing their name, address, and other information, and mail it to the County Election Board.  Registration forms can be obtained from the County Election Board, at the RCAC office, or online through PA Voter Services

New voters can also register online at Voter Registration Service

Voter registration forms should be used for the following reasons:
1. To register to vote for the first time.
2. To change your address whenever you move.
3. To change your name when your marital status changes.
4. To change your political affiliation (Republican, Democrat, Independent, etc)
  
In order to vote in an election you must be registered at least 30 days before the Primary or General election.  
  
As you seek to register new Republicans in your neighborhood, here are some groups to target:
1. Families that have recently moved into the area;
2. New citizens;
3. Families that have a son or daughter who recently turned 18.

We Have Stakes for Yard Signs
Due to a surplus of stakes being left over from the 2016 elections we currently have a large quantity of these stakes available at the RCAC headquarters. 

We have stakes that will fit both the standard 18 X 24 corrugated plastic signs or the standard 18 X 24 plastic sleeve signs. These will be given out on a first come first serve basis. 

Contact our Executive Director, Ryan Rabea, at 412-458-0068 for more information.