They have lobbyists who enjoy close ties to Democrats and those who are cozy with Republicans, lobbyists who have the ears of House members and those who have clout with senators. There are a few former staffers and a former legislator or two in the mix. The teams earlier this month added Rocco Pugliese, whose expertise is in economic development initiatives, several colleagues said. But they face tough odds in the House, where the legislation died last year and where lobbyists have not fared well in the stadium fight. Last year's fight left a bitter taste in some lawmakers' mouths, after House members approved what they thought was a piece of routine housekeeping legislation, only to learn later that it had provisions that might have allowed Ridge to release stadium funding without further legislative action.
Nobody likes to be laughed at, and that is exactly what the mayor did.
It didn't help his cause. Yes, I was hot. But that's really not what this is all about. We have to put that aside. But Habay said he is still bothered that Kolling represents both Pittsburgh teams as well as the city and Allegheny County.