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pittsburgh city council rewrote a proposed rule change that included a $500 penalty for members who talk publicly about closed-door meetings, but the new stipulation still could violate free-speech rights, an open meetings law expert said. 




council president bruce kraus on tuesday introduced legislation that revises rules governing council<u+2019>s operation that were last amended in 2011. kraus of the south side sponsored the bill with three other members. 




council last week was prepared to introduce a version of the rules that contained a gag order and fine for members found to be in violation of attorney-client privilege by speaking publicly about private meetings known as executive sessions. kraus said council tweaked the legislation to censure members found to be in violation of attorney-client privilege for talking publicly about private meetings with city attorneys. the rule does not define attorney-client privilege but keeps the $500 penalty. 




the previous version empowered the council president with doling out punishment to members. kraus said that was changed to require a unanimous vote of council.
pittsburgh city council ponders shutting down speech of its own members
howard portnoy