HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Hazleton residents will be faced with a ballot referendum question in the May primary election regarding the possible formation of a government study commission.
Council approved the ballot question less than a month after the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against the city.
It claims the current "at-large" method of electing council members is discriminatory to the city's Latino population.
City officials, including the mayor and council members, tell 28/22 News they have been discussing the possibility of forming a government study commission long before the federal lawsuit was filed against the city.
They add a study commission, if approved by voters, could take a look at the way elections are run in the city.
Can the residents of the City of Hazleton be better served by another form of government?
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That is just one of the questions a seven-member government study commission will attempt to answer if voters approve the formation of that study commission by voting "Yes" to a ballot referendum in the May Primary Election.
The city government is currently guided by the Pennsylvania third-class city code and is governed by a so-called "Strong Mayor Strong Council" forum.
There has been talk in recent years about possibly switching to a "Home Rule Charter."
Mayor Jeff Cusat says that could open up more revenue options for the city.
"One of the big perks of being home rule is the limitations that are put on the earned income tax. You know, we're trying to protect our elderly residents, the longtime residents who have a home, and our only option right now is to increase property taxes. We're taxing people right out of their homes," Mayor Cusat explained.
City Councilman Tony Colombo insists that any change in the form of government must be beneficial to all city residents.
"We've been talking about this for a while, council and the mayor looking to see changes that need to be tweaked, to make it better, our interest for the residents of the city is most important," Colombo said.
Amicar Arroyo is the publisher of the Spanish-language newspaper in Hazleton.
He says if a government study commission is formed, it could take a look at the way city council members are elected.
The DOJ recommended that they be elected by single districts rather than the current at-large method since no Hispanic candidate has won a major elected position in the city.
"But this is a good time maybe that commission, which will be in the ballot in May, they can give people ideas, going to be an option to help the Latino community have representation," Arroyo stated.
Mayor Jeff Cusat says the DOJ lawsuit unfairly targets Hazelton and insists the current at-large voting system is fair and does not discriminate against anyone.
The city will file a response to the lawsuit in federal court shortly.
