Scranton looking to be the next Detroit..... (Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton: 2014, lawyer)

[weluvpa]

Conservative org: Scranton is Pa. city most likely to be next Detroit; mayor, PEL disagree - News - The Times-Tribune

A nonprofit conservative organization thinks Scranton is the most likely candidate of Pennsylvania's struggling cities to "become the next Detroit." However, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty and the city's Act 47 coordinator, Pennsylvania Economy League, disagree.

In the wake of Detroit recently declaring bankruptcy, the Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania, a self-described "pro-employer, pro-taxpayer" group established in 2009, issued a report Wednesday that said, "It is reasonable to wonder which cities in Pennsylvania might be on the same path as Detroit."

PEL: Scranton could be looking at $18 million deficit, 117 percent tax hike in 2014 - News - The Times-Tribune

Scranton taxpayers could face a 117 percent increase in taxes next year as the city's finances continue to spiral out of control.

A new analysis by the Pennsylvania Economy League projects an $18 million deficit for 2014, an amount so massive it outpaces the approximate $17 million the struggling city collects annually in just property taxes.

The property tax hike needed to balance the city budget, should a commuter tax fall through, would mean increasing the average Scranton taxpayer's bill from $506.98 to $1,100.14. That's based on land assessed at $2,398 and improvements assessed at $8,734.

PEL, the city's Act 47 recovery coordinator, detailed the worst-case-scenario estimate in a July 10 letter to the city. Councilman Bob McGoff mentioned during council's meeting Thursday that PEL projects a $15.4 million deficit for 2014.

Since this deemed "off Topic" for a Scranton thread I figured it needs a thread of its own.

Beware all those that are looking at this city to move to or invest in. It will only continue to get worse with our lameduck mayor and lameduck council and new batch of the whose who of political hacks and space fillers coming into the next election, nothing will change.

You have been warned..

[auntieannie68]

i think wilkes barre is also a top contender!

[Cpt.Trips]

When looking at the US cities in the worst financial shape, the majority share several things in common. Years of democratic rule, Unions having a choke hold on budgets and white flight from the city. The only glaring difference with Scranton is the fact the city rulers have not been minorities. This, I'm certain will change in the near future. Right now, I think it's a dead heat between WB and Hazleton as to which city will be the next to go belly up. To those of you with the rose colored glasses on, continue to sing the accolades of your city. I can't decide what I'm enjoying more right now, watching the area implode or the people in denial about it.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Cpt.Trips

I can't decide what I'm enjoying more right now, watching the area implode or the people in denial about it.

If you live in the area and own property in the area, then why would you "enjoy" watching the area implode, thereby threatening your property value? If Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Hazleton all go "belly up", then your property in the suburbs will also be affected.

[weluvpa]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

If you live in the area and own property in the area, then why would you "enjoy" watching the area implode, thereby threatening your property value? If Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Hazleton all go "belly up", then your property in the suburbs will also be affected.

Property values are already in the toilet, and will not going anywhere but further down the drain. The bottom is fast appora ching and yet many choose not to see it.

The iceberg has past, the band can't keep playing anymore and the SS Scranton is slipping below the surface on its way into the financial abyss and rock bottom..

Personally I prefer to watch the sheeple in denial, its just fun.

[bloominscranton]

Originally Posted by weluvpa

Property values are already in the toilet, and will not going anywhere but further down the drain. The bottom is fast appora ching and yet many choose not to see it.

The iceberg has past, the band can't keep playing anymore and the SS Scranton is slipping below the surface on its way into the financial abyss and rock bottom..

Personally I prefer to watch the sheeple in denial, its just fun.

LOL... me too! I am a quick study. 11 years and we are out. As far as our property we have a lovely little home and it will be paid off when we relocate, thinking our eldest will get it, or he can be our property manager if he stays in the area.

[Trucker7]

Scranton has the potential to be a great city, but the people that run it have decided to squeeze the taxpayers while rolling the red carpet to bums and freeloaders. After all, they vote reliably Democrat. They don't care about the future of the city, as long as the city remains blue for decades to come.

As soon as the kids are out of school, I'm out of here.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by Trucker7

but the people that run it have decided to squeeze the taxpayers while rolling the red carpet to bums and freeloaders.

If you're talking about the Unions you realize that it was an arbiter and finally the courts that have put them in the position of paying those salaries and benefits? 75% of the expenditures are for Police, FF's and DPW.

http://www.scrantonpa.gov/business_a...g%20Budget.pdf

[bloominscranton]

Originally Posted by thecoalman

If you're talking about the Unions you realize that it was an arbiter and finally the courts that have put them in the position of paying those salaries and benefits? 75% of the expenditures are for Police, FF's and DPW.

http://www.scrantonpa.gov/business_a...g%20Budget.pdf

NO...it was a spoiled Mayor that stomped his feet and said I am not going to give even COLA's for over a decade that made the whole issue go to court! Appeal after appeal he still pitched a hissy fit. Not listening to anyone but his lawyer friends. If he had done the right thing from the beginning and was not concerned with billable hours for his friends all of these awards could have handle in a much more prudent and responsible manner. The unions truly had no recourse but to go to court.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by bloominscranton

NO...it was a spoiled Mayor that stomped his feet and said I am not going to give even COLA's for over a decade that made the whole issue go to court! Appeal after appeal he still pitched a hissy fit. Not listening to anyone but his lawyer friends. If he had done the right thing from the beginning and was not concerned with billable hours for his friends all of these awards could have handle in a much more prudent and responsible manner. The unions truly had no recourse but to go to court.

That doesn't change the fact the arbiter did not take into account Scranton's ability to pay for the contract. What kind of BS is that? It's a crock because arbitration is never beneficial to the side that is paying the bill.

Did you know the FF's in WB are getting something like $2500 a year to not write parking tickets? The police union took the city to court when they started using meter maids as cost saving measure. They were awarded the $2500 to compensate them for the loss of the work writing parking tickets. The FF union then sued becsue their contract says they get paid what the police do. Now they have both the police and the FF department getting paid to not do something.

This is the type of stuff that infuriates people over these unions.