Six weeks after touting a tuition tax as a key component of the city of Pittsburgh’s fiscal recovery, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl yesterday shelved the levy in favor of pledges of help from universities, tax-exempt organizations and the corporate community.

He came away from the bruising battle over the tax proposal unable to show any down payment toward the $15 million a year he said he needs to restore health to the city’s pension fund. He was able, though, to claim new allies in what could be an equally tough slog in Harrisburg.

Mr. Ravenstahl said the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and insurer Highmark Inc. have agreed to donate more to the city than they had previously, but would not cite a figure nor a time frame, and emphasized a planned push for state help.

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Tags: Luke Ravenstahl

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