City Cast Pittsburgh logo
January 24, 2025

Taxing Nonprofit Giants, Affordable Housing & Pittsburgh's Secret Passageways

City Cast Pittsburgh

Taxing Nonprofit Giants, Affordable Housing & Pittsburgh's Secret Passageways

00:00:00
View all City Cast Pittsburgh episodes

Pittsburgh leaders have tried (and mostly failed) to get big nonprofits like Highmark and UPMC to pay their “fair share” to the city. Now it looks like the issue may be front and center as the mayoral race heats up. Executive producer Mallory Falk and producer Sophia Lo are joined by Axios Pittsburgh’s Ryan Deto to explain why. Plus, they’re talking about a new study that says Pittsburgh has the most affordable housing market in the U.S., and indoor shortcuts you can take to escape the cold on especially frigid days.

Notes and references from today’s show:

  • How Well Do You Know Pittsburgh? Take This Quiz! [City Cast Pittsburgh]
  • Gainey claims progress with Highmark on payments to Pittsburgh, but skeptics abound [TribLive]
  • You Pay Taxes, So Why Don’t Colleges & Hospitals? [City Cast Pittsburgh]
  • Housing Affordability Didn’t Worsen in 2024—The First Time in Four Years That Has Happened [Redfin]

We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag.

Learn more about the sponsors of this January 24th episode:

The Frick Pittsburgh Museums and Gardens

Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Pittsburgh Opera

Pitt Athletics

Fulton Commons

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Pittsburgh

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
May 20

Sara Innamorato on Paid Leave, Term Limits, and a Fancy New Hotel

Allegheny County could become the first in the U.S. to require 18 weeks of paid parental leave for all employees. County Executive Sara I...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
May 19

What's On Your Primary Ballot?

It's primary election day! Local voters are being asked to weigh in on one ballot measure: If Pittsburgh loses its print newspapers, shou...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
May 18

Pittsburgh's Dangerous Drop in Vaccination Rates

Measles is on the rise across the U.S., and experts say outbreaks aren't hypothetical anymore. At least 40,000 PA students are missing re...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
May 17

'Your City Could Be Better': Do DC’s Hated Traffic Cameras Really Make the City Safer? — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh

Would Pittsburgh be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, Washington, DC, brought in nearly $270 million from more...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
May 15

Tattoo Regulations, Steelers in Paris & Debating the Essence of Sheetz

Allegheny County Council is taking steps to oust Pat Catena as the group's president, after his campaign sent out a mailer claiming his o...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
May 14

Can Pittsburgh Fix Its Budget Problems?

City Controller Rachael Heisler has been sounding the alarm on Pittsburgh's budget for actual years, and her latest report shows the city...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
May 13

Mid-Century Sleepover, Tiki Cruise & More Pittsburgh Milestone Birthday Ideas

Got a big birthday coming up? Sure, you could make a fancy dinner reservation, but there are so many more exciting ways to celebrate. The...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
May 12

What To Eat (and Avoid) at PNC Park

Let's be honest, the Pirates aren't always the main draw at PNC Park. Many of us go for the views, the pierogi race, and inventive ballpa...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
May 11

7 Ideas To Make Voting Better in PA

Our primary election is just around the corner on May 19, so it feels like a good time to take stock of how well our voting process actua...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
May 10

'Your City Could Be Better': Philly's Bold Nightlife Experiment — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh

Pittsburghers, would your city be better if the bars stayed open later? This summer, Philadelphia is anticipating a record-breaking numbe...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art