City Controller Rachael Heisler

In recognition of Women Veterans Day, I want to thank Andy Miscuk from Love Carrick for sharing the story of Frances Grimes, a WASP pilot who graduated from Pitt in 1937 and is buried in South Side Cemetery. Frances lived a remarkable life and was considered one of the best athletes in West Virginia before she joined the WASP. She was killed in a plane crash in 1944, becoming one of 38 WASP pilots to be killed in service of our country.

As City Controller, I also serve as Controller for Pittsburgh Public Schools. We’ve put all contracts and audits online as we work to increase transparency and make sure we’re getting the most out of every dollar spent on our students. You can find all contracts here:

Contracts Contracts - The Pittsburgh Public School District is the largest of 43 school districts in Allegheny County and second largest in Pennsylvania.

I joined Medic 14 of Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS to learn more about the work our paramedics do and see the unique challenges they face. It’s a difficult, stressful job, and we need to make sure they have the resources and support they need to do this life-saving work. Thank you to all of EMS for your service to the city – and happy birthday to Medic Bendig!

Our Annual Comprehensive Financial Report details every dollar the City brings in and every dollar it spends. Here’s a glimpse of where our money comes from and where your money goes, and you can read the full report here:https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/controller/documents/annual-comprehensive-financial-report/city-of-pittsburgh-acfr-final-2025-3.pdf

Did you know the City has four different funds? Our annual financial report details every single dollar in and out of each fund. Here’s a quick guide to help make sense of where your money goes.

You can read the full report here:https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/controller/documents/annual-comprehensive-financial-report/city-of-pittsburgh-acfr-final-2025-3.pdf

Today our office had the honor of meeting Sami Steigmann, a survivor of the Mogilev-Podolsky labor camp who uses his powerful story to teach people across the country about the horrors of the Holocaust and the importance of combating antisemitism.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to meet Sami and honored to present him with a proclamation from City Council establishing today as Sami Steigmann Day in the City of Pittsburgh. You can read more about Sami's life here: https://www.hhrecny.org/view-speakers/sami-steigmann

Happy Pride Month, Pittsburgh!

Thanks to everyone at the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania for having me last week at the annual PowerBreakfast. Great conversations about the work we’re doing to improve City finances, grow our population and economy, and support Black-owned businesses and work training programs.

Thanks to Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Sgt. LaBella for bringing me on a ride-along last week. Riding along with our police officers is the best way to learn about the difficult work they do, and to see how the City can better support them.