Scranton Mayor’s DEI Initiative Faces Budget Challenges
Paige Cognetti, the Democratic mayor of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and a candidate for the 8th Congressional District, previously suggested increasing taxes to fund a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) staff.
In 2023, the city added eight new hires, which included a position for a “DEI coordinator.” The proposed budget allocated $25,500 for this role. To support the costs associated with this position, along with expenses for various department heads, the budget required a 3% rise in property taxes, expected to bring in about $957,000.
However, the DEI coordinator’s annual salary was projected at $380,500, a figure that was ultimately not included in the final budget.
Cognetti’s approach underscores his commitment to enhancing diversity in government, aiming to reshape one of the nation’s competitive districts while attempting to unseat incumbent Rep. Rob Bresnahan.
Cognetti highlighted the importance of intentional diversity, stating, “We’re not doing this for publicity. We’re doing it quietly to normalize these conversations,” in a podcast discussion.
When asked about the DEI initiative, Cognetti’s team pointed out that Bresnahan’s company had benefited from government contracts due to being “women-owned,” aligning with DEI principles.
A spokesperson emphasized that “Rob Bresnahan’s own company calls itself disadvantaged,” referring to Kuharczyk Construction, which Bresnahan has led since 2013. The construction firm noted it received $162,000 in federal contracts since 2008, but has seen no federal payments since 2017.
Moreover, the Cognetti campaign argued that her actions as mayor have resulted in cost savings for the city. They claimed, “Mayor Cognetti ran as an independent to tackle a corrupt Democratic Party machine and reform City Hall,” alongside making fiscal improvements.
Despite her focus on budget cuts, Cognetti’s 2023 proposal points to her belief that government should allocate more resources toward diversity efforts. She reflected on setbacks with the DEI coordinator position and expressed that there’s a real need for assertiveness in such initiatives.
“If you want to raise your taxes by 3 percent, and you say it’s only going to be 2, let’s have that conversation,” she remarked. In her view, boosting diversity does not contradict the city’s interests, and she believes that hiring the most capable individuals naturally enhances representation.
Cognetti concluded, “If you walk into City Hall today, you’ll notice a much greater presence of women and people of color than four years ago. This change stems from a commitment to hiring the best candidates and ensuring job postings reach a diverse audience.”
