To: Scranton City Council
Amend the Scranton Home Rule Charter to Require Referendum Votes for Bond Issuance
We, the residents of Scranton, can no longer afford to have our elected officials and city administrators agree to financially back city and/or authority bonds without a vote from the citizens of Scranton. We are therefore asking City Council to amend the Home Rule Charter requiring a referendum vote by the citizens of Scranton on all future bond issuance or bond backing by the City of Scranton.
Why is this important?
The City of Scranton and it's authorities have issued bonds with out regard for the will of the people. City residents have no leverage to oppose or approve either a bond issuance from the city or financially backing a bond issuance from one of the city's authorities yet are required to bear the financial burden as taxpayers. Citizens in other cities around the country are required to hold referendums and receive a majority "Yes" vote before bond issuance. It's time for the citizens of Scranton to have that same voice.