Councilman Harry Haas

Click here for tv interview

Congratulations to Manager Pedri and Luzerne County staff who were instrumental in 

bringing the Courthouse Restoration project to completion this week at the grand 

reopening.  Please stop by the grounds the next time you're in downtown Wilkes-Barre and

take a stroll under the dome to see the marvelous work.    

                                                                                                    Sincerely,  Harry  


Luzerne County councilman

harry.haas@luzernecounty.org

May Council Meetings: 8; 22 @ 6pm

Click here for Council Agenda

(570)825-1634

Priorities for 2018

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.