Councilman Harry Haas

Here are my priorities and action steps for this year:

1) Continue to look for streams of revenue apart from property taxation (84% of county revenues come from property tax, which is inherently unfair) and cut wasteful spending.

THERE IS NO TAX INCREASE IN THE 2018 BUDGET BECAUSE OF THE SURPLUS GAINED BY TOUGH DECISIONS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS...CLICK FOR NEWS ARTICLE HERE.

2) Host legislative round tables for our state and federal delegations to communicate county needs of funding local government, providing human services, and fostering community development.

THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MET WITH WITH OUR US SENATORS & CONGRESSSMEN LAST AUGUST.

3) Reevaluate the funding and administration of the Blighted Property Review Committee to assist municipalities in fighting blight.

COUNCIL CUT ACCESS TO FUNDING FROM THE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IN DECEMBER; THE COMMITTEE WILL ATTEND THE MARCH 13 COUNCIL WORK SESSION TO ADDRESS COUNCIL'S QUESTIONS.

4) Collaborate with other counties and provide leadership to fight the opioid crisis.

ATTENDED ANNUAL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' CONFERENCE IN AUGUST WHERE I LEARNED ABOUT SOME GRANT OPPORTUNITIES AND STRATEGIES FOR THESE ISSUES.

Harry Haas

Luzerne County councilman

(570)825-1634

harry.haas@luzernecounty.org

April Council Meetings: 10; 24 @ 6pm

Priorities for 2018

Click here for Council Agenda

As the chairman of the council's legislative committee, my goal is to dialogue with the

legislature about how to resolve the funding gap for county services and how to tackle

the opiod onslaught in Luzerne County. The committee will meet on April 10th at the

courthouse. Sincerely, Harry