Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti pushed a 2023 city budget that included a new DEI coordinator and a proposed 3% property tax bump to cover multiple hires, drawing criticism about priorities and fiscal discipline as she campaigns for Congress.
Paige Cognetti introduced a budget that listed a “DEI coordinator” among eight proposed hires, with $25,500 allocated for that role and several other senior positions included on the slate. City officials estimated the additional hires would cost roughly $380,500, and the package was linked to a 3% property tax increase expected to bring in about $957,000. That budget proposal ultimately did not pass, but the plan revealed the mayor’s priorities and her willingness to propose tax increases to fund staffing choices.
This move matters because it shows how she thinks government should spend limited dollars, even as residents worry about taxes and basic services. From a Republican perspective, voters want city leaders focused on core responsibilities like public safety and infrastructure rather than expanding administrative roles. The debate is less about the concept of diversity and more about whether taxpayers should underwrite an additional bureaucracy.
The campaign record shows Cognetti has talked openly about shaping hiring to change City Hall’s makeup, saying, “We’re not doing this for the publicity. We’re doing this quietly so that these conversations just become the norm.” That line makes it clear she sees DEI work as intentional policy, not just a passive outcome of hiring the best person for the job. Critics will argue that intentionality backed by tax increases is a policy choice with real costs for homeowners.
Cognetti’s team pointed out past reforms she claims to have achieved at City Hall, including balancing budgets, refusing perks, and improving the city’s credit rating. Her campaign also accused her opponent of benefiting from government preferences, noting a previous description of a company as “disadvantaged” and women-owned. Those claims are meant to draw a contrast between a mayor who prioritizes certain government interventions and a Republican critic who frames such interventions as favoritism.
The mayor defended her record on hiring, insisting merit is the driving force behind changes at City Hall: “We’re not doing it by cherry-picking, but by merit, and lo and behold, City Hall looks different.” She says more women and people of color now work in municipal roles because the job postings reached different audiences and the best candidates were chosen. Skeptics see a difference between posting jobs broadly and creating dedicated DEI positions funded by taxpayers.
Cognetti also expressed frustration that the city council cut the DEI coordinator without public debate, saying, “I will say that we’ve had some setbacks. Last year we put a DEI coordinator in our budget. My city council cut that position with zero fanfare. There was no public comment. And this is where I think that the positive advocacy is missing.” The remark underscores a clash over process and priorities within local government. For conservative voters, the issue is whether new roles improve services or simply expand bureaucracy.
On the campaign trail she framed the tax increase conversation plainly: “You know, you want to raise taxes 3%. ‘Well, it should be only 2%.’ Okay, well, let’s have that conversation.” That exchange highlights the give-and-take of budgeting, but also reveals how small percentages add up on household bills when applied to property taxes. Republicans will use that to argue for fiscal restraint and for focusing on direct service delivery rather than administrative expansions.
Her critics point to the larger context of spending choices: whether municipal dollars should be directed toward staffing for representation initiatives or toward clearly measurable improvements in streets, safety, and services. The debate over a single coordinator becomes a lightning rod for broader concerns about government size, accountability, and who ultimately pays. Voters in a competitive district will weigh those concerns as part of their judgment about fitness for higher office.
Cognetti’s defenders highlight reforms she says were achieved without fanfare, but opponents say the DEI proposal reveals misplaced priorities and a willingness to propose tax increases for administrative programs. The back-and-forth captures a wider political argument about government focus and fiscal prudence. For those wary of new spending, the episode is a clear example of why they favor elected officials who put dollars toward core services first.
Darnell Thompkins is a Canadian-born American and conservative opinion writer who brings a unique perspective to political and cultural discussions. Passionate about traditional values and individual freedoms, Darnell’s commentary reflects his commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue. When he’s not writing, he enjoys watching hockey and celebrating the sport that connects his Canadian roots with his American journey.