Pittsburgh students protest proposed tuition tax

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Some 150 Pittsburgh students are attending a public hearing to oppose a proposed 1 percent college tuition tax.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl says the tax will fill a $15 million budget gap. He says the tax will not be in the 2010 budget, but can solve some of the city’s long-term revenue problems.
Ravenstahl says the nonprofit universities and medical centers are tax exempt. He says the only legal way to ensure they pay their fair share for services is by taxing tuition.
More than 50 students are assailing the tax at the public hearing. Thousands of others signed petitions. They argue they already pay for services through wage taxes and indirectly pay property tax through their rent.
About 65,000 students attend Pittsburgh colleges and universities.
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