Pocono News Section

Hearing Underway Over Scranton Budget Battle

Hearing Underway Over Scranton Budget Battle - Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 04:03AM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday March 16 2010
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- A city council showdown in Scranton is now before a judge. All of the key players have spent the entire day here at the courthouse.

The hearing involved changes city council recently made to the city's 2010 budget. Council re-opened the budget and made an additional $700,000 in cuts. Some were jobs.

Attorneys for Mayor Chris Doherty say the move was illegal and puts the health, safety and welfare of citizens at risk because the cuts come in the DPW, Information Technology and parks departments.

Testimony continued late into the day here in Lackawanna County. It is expected to continue through at least Wednesday.

In the end a judge must determine whether city council can change the adopted budget.