Record

2020–2026 · Allegheny County

What changed, Bethany’s role, and the reporting behind it. Explore the record by year or issue.

24 accomplishments

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  1. Jail & public safety

    New requirements to prevent sexual abuse in the jail

    Hallam introduced the ordinance writing federal Prison Rape Elimination Act standards into county law. The executive signed it in June.

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    Hallam’s role: Introduced the ordinance; moved passage

    The law requires notice to the Jail Oversight Board within 48 hours of a reported rape. Implementation and compliance require further evidence.

  2. County government

    New standards for large county contracts

    Hallam co-sponsored the procurement ordinance enacted in March 2026, adding requirements to the county’s contracting process.

    County legislative record13811-26 ↗
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    Hallam’s role: Co-sponsor

    The record establishes enactment. Changes in contracting practice or savings have not been measured.

  3. Civil rights

    Limited county cooperation with ICE

    Hallam introduced the ordinance restricting county resources and cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, subject to legal exceptions.

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    Hallam’s role: Introduced the ordinance

    Council enacted the measure in March 2026. Later litigation and implementation remain under review in this record.

  4. Housing & taxes

    Tax protection for longtime homeowners

    The enacted measure provides qualifying longtime homeowners with protection against county tax increases after a future reassessment.

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    Hallam’s role: Co-sponsor; Dan Grzybek led the measure

    The executive signed it February 27. This is prospective relief; lower tax bills have not yet been established.

  5. Jail & public safety

    Required autopsies after deaths in jail custody

    Hallam co-sponsored the ordinance requiring prompt autopsies for deaths in county jail custody.

    County legislative record13738-25 ↗
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    Hallam’s role: Co-sponsor

    The ordinance was enacted December 16. Its effectiveness has not been separately measured.

  6. Jail & public safety

    Pay for incarcerated workers

    The jail began paying people for work and class attendance on March 25, following Hallam’s advocacy and county budget funding.

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    Hallam’s role: Advocacy; supported budget funding

    Her earlier $10-a-day motion failed. The evidence of implementation does not establish that the proposed rate became the paid rate.

    Fulfills a documented campaign commitment.

  7. County government

    Required public listings of county property for sale

    Council enacted the publication requirement with Hallam as a listed sponsor.

    County legislative record13500-25 · Saved reference
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    Hallam’s role: Co-sponsor

    The enactment is documented. The resulting listings and their use have not been separately audited. The saved reference is ordinance 13500-25; its direct public link and exact enactment date still need checking.

  8. County government

    Required a public listing of open board seats

    Hallam co-sponsored the law requiring a database of vacancies on county boards and commissions.

    County legislative record13214-24 ↗
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    Hallam’s role: Co-sponsor

    This does not establish delivery of the separate promise for public interviews before appointments. Publication and use were not separately audited.

  9. Elections

    Restored staffed ballot drop-off sites

    The Board of Elections approved sites across the county. About 2,800 voters used seven pilot locations in the April primary.

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    Hallam’s role: Board member and advocate

    The board approved the sites unanimously. This was a collective board action.

    Fulfills a documented campaign commitment.

  10. Jail & public safety

    Direct financial support for people in the jail

    Hallam moved and defended welfare-fund payments. The county reports that more than $2.6 million reached over 6,000 accounts in 2024.

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    Hallam’s role: Moved and defended disbursements

    The timeline date marks the December 2023 renewal. The payment program began in 2022. These welfare payments are separate from wages. The monthly amount was reduced from $125 to $100 over her objection. The county evaluation found no significant change in the short-term post-release outcomes it examined.

  11. Jail & public safety

    Put jail oversight and the welfare fund into county law

    Council enacted legislation Hallam sponsored codifying the Jail Oversight Board and the Incarcerated Individuals Welfare Fund.

    County legislative record12854-23 ↗
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    Hallam’s role: Sponsor

    The two related ordinances are grouped as one record item. Legal codification is distinct from distributing welfare payments.

  12. Jail & public safety

    Changed residency rules for jail staff

    Council enacted a residency-rule exemption for jail staff with Hallam listed as a sponsor.

    County legislative record12578-23 ↗
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    Hallam’s role: Sponsor

    The record establishes an administrative change. Recruitment and retention gains have not been documented here.

  13. Workers & education

    $2.8 million more for CCAC

    After Hallam opposed a proposed cut, County Council added $2.8 million for the Community College of Allegheny County. The following budget added further support.

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    Hallam’s role: Budget advocacy and council action

    The funding increases do not establish that the county reached the separate 33% funding goal.

  14. Environment

    Established a Department of Sustainability

    Hallam co-sponsored the ordinance creating a county department responsible for sustainability.

    County legislative record12402-22 ↗
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    Hallam’s role: Co-sponsor

    Creating the department does not establish that the county achieved 100% clean electricity.

  15. Environment

    Banned new fracking in county parks

    Hallam led the legislation and moved the successful veto override. The ban protects county parks from new drilling; the existing Deer Lakes Park lease remains excluded.

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    Hallam’s role: Prime sponsor; moved the veto override

    Council overrode the executive’s veto 12–3 on July 19, 2022.

    Fulfills a documented campaign commitment.

  16. Workers & education

    Paid sick leave for eligible workers

    Eligible employees at employers with 26 or more staff can earn up to 40 hours of paid sick leave a year.

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    Hallam’s role: Co-sponsored the earlier bill; voted for the final law

    The final measure was sponsored by the Chief Executive and signed September 15, 2021. The law does not cover every worker.

  17. Jail & public safety

    Voted to create a police review board

    Hallam voted for the ordinance establishing a civilian board to review allegations involving county police.

    County legislative record11762-21 ↗
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    Hallam’s role: Voted yes

    Hallam was not a sponsor. The board’s jurisdiction is limited, and it had heard no cases as of April 2024; current operations need further review.

  18. Civil rights

    Protected against hairstyle discrimination

    Hallam co-sponsored the ordinance clarifying county nondiscrimination protections for hairstyles.

    County legislative record11599-20 ↗
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    Hallam’s role: Co-sponsor with Olivia Bennett and Anita Prizio

    The executive signed the ordinance October 22, 2020.

  19. Civil rights

    Extended nondiscrimination protections to medical care

    The county extended its protections to medical treatment, including discrimination based on gender identity, expression and sexual orientation.

    County legislative record11542-20 ↗
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    Hallam’s role: Co-sponsor

    Hallam’s co-sponsorship and the July 16 signature are confirmed in the legislative record. Specific bathroom-access changes are not established.

    Fulfills a documented campaign commitment.

  20. Environment

    Cleaner equipment on county construction projects

    Hallam co-sponsored the Clean Construction ordinance, establishing equipment standards for county projects.

    County legislative record11465-20 ↗
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    Hallam’s role: Co-sponsor

    This is a completed legislative action. It differs from the specific campaign pledge to direct Clean Air Fund spending toward clean-air projects.

  21. Civil rights

    Banned conversion therapy for minors

    Hallam campaigned for a countywide ban in 2019 and co-sponsored the ordinance enacted the following year.

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    Hallam’s role: Co-sponsor

    Council passed the ordinance 13–2 on February 11, 2020. The executive signed it February 14.

    Fulfills a documented campaign commitment.

From the record