Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Allegheny County Car Rental Tax Proposed

HARRISBURG, Pa. -– The Sports & Exhibition Authority (SEA) of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County is vigorously lobbying state legislators here to pass a bill authorizing the Allegheny County Counci...

by Staff
November 18, 2002
2 min to read


HARRISBURG, Pa. -– The Sports & Exhibition Authority (SEA) of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County is vigorously lobbying state legislators here to pass a bill authorizing the Allegheny County Council to adopt a 3% car rental tax. The plan calls for $2 million in car-rental tax revenue to be funneled to the SEA-run David L. Lawrence Convention Center to offset a projected operating deficit in 2003.

Representatives of the car rental industry met with legislators last week to express their opposition to the tax proposal. They have argued that placing the tax burden solely on car rental consumers is unfair, especially since the deficit is the result of the SEA’s own lapses in fiscal management, said Bob Muhs, vice president of governmental affairs for Avis.

Ad Loading...

The industry has also pointed out that if the county succeeds in attracting more conventions, other business segments stand to gain more than local car rental operators. As such, vendors directly servicing the convention center are more logical targets for assuming, or at least sharing, the tax burden.

In opposing the tax, the industry has also stressed that a car rental tax would place a heavy burden on local residents, not just visitors from out of town as some tax proponents have suggested.

Plans for the tax first surfaced in the Legislature in June, as lawmakers worked late into the night to finalize the state's 2002-03 budget. But they ultimately shelved the 11th-hour tax proposal because the budget deadline didn't afford enough time for debate on the matter.

In addition to the SEA, supporters of the car rental tax have included Allegheny County Executive Jim Roddey and Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy. The tax proposal calls for $2 million to go to the convention center and $1.3 million to go to a hotel project adjacent to the convention center.

The plan also originally called for the remaining tax revenue to be funneled to the Pittsburgh Film Office. But some supporters of the tax have attempted to distance the project from that agency since its director, Dawn Keezer, became part of a high-profile investigation by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office. The D.A.'s office is investigating whether Keezer collaborated with a Hollywood colleague to misappropriate public funds. Keezer has denied the allegations.

Ad Loading...

Meanwhile, representatives of the car rental industry are hopeful that state lawmakers will be more willing to hear their arguments than Allegheny County politicians were during a series of meetings in October. "Those of us representing the industry walked out of the meeting extremely frustrated," said Muhs, describing one such conference with city and county officials.



More Rental Operations

50 states map showing LOR rates for each state with different shades of light to dark green

U.S. Rental Length Declines Slightly in Q1 2026, Enterprise Reports

LOR overall continues to trend downward, but ongoing market and economic conditions could affect future results while the industry deals with staffing and productivity challenges.

Read More →
Illustration of a driverless futuristic front seat/dashboard view of other cars on a freeway with city skyline on horizon.

Hertz, Uber Deepen Roles In Self-Driving And Driver-Led Fleet Services

The business arrangement connects demand with scalable fleet management services and supports a range of mobility uses.

Read More →
A tech collage of electronic devices against a computer chip blueprint map.
Rental OperationsMay 1, 2026

Why Car Rental Can No Longer Run On Workarounds

The shift from branch-based software to connected operations is turning rental technology into strategic infrastructure.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A tech collage of electronic devices against a computer chip blueprint map.
Rental OperationsMay 1, 2026

Why Car Rental Can No Longer Run On Workarounds

The shift from branch-based software to connected operations is turning rental technology into strategic infrastructure.

Read More →
A black Audi SUV superimposed on a historic scene from downtown Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Carwiz Sets Up Rental Operations In Central Asia

The global franchise operation reaches a first in its rental fleet portfolio with new service in Uzbekistan.

Read More →
A raging brushfire in the countryside.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueApril 30, 2026

Where Rental Fleets Must Adjust To Shifting Catastrophe Risks

West Coast disasters pose unique challenges and liabilities for rental fleet operators, who are advised to take steps tailored to their specific situations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
ARN Industry Newsmakers thumbnail page with ARN and ICRS logos and shots of Nick DiPrima and Martin Romjue
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueApril 27, 2026

Using AI To Find Rental Car Damage

Angry car renters are storming social media, the mainstream media, and online ratings platforms to complain about charges they claim are either unfounded or excessive.

Read More →
Photo of CEO Krešimir Dobrilović against a gray modernist crooked-tile mural display.

Carwiz Opens Car Rental Service In Panama

A Carwiz partner in Puerto Rico is taking on the Panama franchise with operations in the nation's largest airport.

Read More →
A world map with Flexways logo and new locations headline.

Flexways Opens 10 Locations Among Franchise, Affiliate Rental Networks

The integrated business model combines each operator’s local expertise with international standards to boost sales.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of a suitcase, passport, and smartphone.

Traveler Customer Satisfaction Up This Year Data Study Shows

The study looks at customer analytics to size up performance in car rentals, rideshare, airlines, lodging, and OTAs.

Read More →
Ad Loading...