Mayor Corey O’Connor is still publicly pushing to speed up Pittsburgh’s permitting system, and his most recent statements continue to frame delays as a problem for developers, small businesses, and residents. His position has not shifted away from fast‑tracking; instead, he is doubling down on the 60‑day overhaul he ordered on his first full day in office. 

🏛️ What O’Connor Is Saying Right Now About Permits
- He wants permits to move faster.  
  O’Connor’s executive order directs all city departments to identify inefficiencies and propose ways to shorten approval times. 
- He frames the current system as “costing small businesses, residents, and others time and money.”  
  His spokesperson says the goal is to remove “unforeseen obstacles” in the permitting process. 
- He is asking departments to report back within 60 days with recommendations to “revamp” the system. 
- He signals support for developers, saying he is fulfilling a campaign promise to “smooth the path” for those doing business in Pittsburgh. 

🔍 What This Means in Practice
- The administration is actively working on changes right now, not just talking about them.  
- The focus remains on speed and efficiency, not on strengthening community review or community benefits agreements.  
- The order is designed to please developers who backed his campaign, according to reporting. 

📌 Why This Matters for Communities
You’ve been raising the alarm that fast‑tracking permits without binding community benefits will weaken neighborhood power. Nothing in O’Connor’s latest statements suggests he is adding protections for community input. His messaging is still centered on:
- reducing delays,  
- making it easier for developers,  
- and restructuring departments to accelerate approvals.

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