The Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA), also commonly referred to as the oversight board, held a public meeting on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at Duquesne University. At this brief meeting they accepted from Mayor Tom Murphy a revised 5-year fiscal plan that is balanced, makes deep cuts in city spending and increases taxes. In a letter delivered to the ICA, the Mayor also indicated that he and the ICA have reached a consensus on something called the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement, which will govern the relationship of the ICA and the elected city government of Pittsburgh for the next seven years. At this meeting the ICA also voted to approve a second interim report on what they want to do regarding the city of Pittsburgh. Copies of this report were nowhere to be seen at the meeting. Reporters and big shots might have been given a copy but not the regular people.

The ICA meetings are relatively brief because all the decisions regarding the policy they intend to put forward are made beforehand. This meeting had no agenda for the public, just one quick unanimous vote of "yes" for the new interim report. ICA meetings have become a "show" for the public.

The June 15 ICA show was all about unity. It was about the ICA calling for, "the total cooperation of all the citizens" regarding their plans for Pittsburgh. Of course nobody spoke about the hardships that will fall in a grossly disproportionate manner on the low-wage earners and the public employees of the city in the coming months. No, that would have ruined the mood and besides those calling the shots at the ICA meetings won’t even notice the cuts and tax hikes that they will implement. How can anybody talk about unity when the city fiscal mess is being fixed only on the backs of public employees, low-wage earners and the poor?

Mayor Murphy at first bucked when it came to taking orders from the ICA. Both at the Mayor’s office and at City Council there was a feeling that the ICA was undermining the elected authority in the city. Such is not the case anymore. When asked how long this new love affair will last, ICA member Jim Roddey indicated that it will be a day-by-day deal. One thing that is very clear is that this relationship is not all that mutual. Just who is the dominant and who is the passive partner in this love affair is obvious.

The only red flag at the ICA meeting was raised by Alan Hertzberg who represents City Council on the ICA but does not vote at ICA meetings. When ICA member Jim Roddey said that the ICA will be looking at restructuring city government, Hertzberg diplomatically reminded the ICA that the city has a home rule charter and that the people vote on these things. ICA members quickly concurred. Of course they would never disrespect the city home rule charter.

Just when the next public ICA show will take place is anybody’s guess. They do post meetings on the city web page now; this after several requests from regular city residents that they do so.