One More Kickoff

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl talked about the policy foundation for his re-election effort in his annual budget message Tuesday.  On Thursday he'll buttress the financial base for his bid.  Mr. Ravenstahl's supporters are circulating an invitation to a $1,000 a person event for the Ravesntahl for Mayor committee Thursday evening at Heinz Field.

The host committee includes the Steelers' Art Rooney II, Jimmie Sacco, the director of stadium management; David Malone, the CEO of Gateway Financial; Mike Dunleavy, business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 5;  and Rich Stanizzo, business manager of the of Pittsburgh Building Trades Council.

The fund-raiser comes as a the Steelers are in a dispute in the Stadium and Exhibition Authority, whose members are appointed by the city and the county, over the funding of a proposed $40-million addition of 3,000 seats to Heinz Field.  Mr. Ravenstahl has called for compromise on the lease disagreement, which is scheduled to go before Common Pleas Court next week.