Paige for Scranton

Tonight, on the eve of this important election, I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported our campaign.

To Our Volunteers and Staff: Your energy and passion have been the lifeblood of this campaign. You knocked on doors, made countless phone calls, and shared our message with a commitment that is nothing short of inspiring. You didn't just work for a campaign - you helped put honesty, integrity, and government transparency on the ballot.

To Our Donors: Thank you for your incredible generosity. Your financial contributions have been more than just donations; they are investments in a shared vision for the future of Scranton. I am grateful for your partnership in creating positive change.

To My Loved Ones: Campaigns are a sacrifice for you, too. Your support has been my foundation, my quiet strength, and I am profoundly grateful for your understanding and love.

And to the Residents of Scranton: Maybe you sent a message to 311 to raise an issue for us to solve. Maybe you thanked us for helping with a problem. Maybe you displayed a yard sign. Maybe you posted something positive on social media. Maybe you simply offered a word of encouragement when I needed it. Thank you.

Serving as your Mayor is a true honor. In these years, we’ve made great strides to fix our finances, grow our economy, cut red tape, invest in our neighborhoods, and restore transparency. With your continued partnership, we’ll keep building on that momentum for a city we can all thrive in and be proud of.

You placed your trust in me for the past six years, and I promise you, I will continue to listen, to work hard, and to run a fair and accountable government every step of the way.

Tomorrow, all of our hard work culminates at the ballot box. This is our moment to make sure our progress and positive momentum continue.

If you haven't voted yet, please make a plan to head to the polls tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 4, between 7AM-8PM.

Please vote for City Council President Gerald Smurl as well as Mayor Paige Cognetti.

Every single vote counts, and your participation is essential to our city’s continued success. I am grateful for your support.

💙💛 Happy GOTV weekend! 💙💛

Thanks to all our volunteers out pounding the pavement again this weekend!

Please vote to reelect Mayor Paige this Tuesday, Nov. 4th!
Polls are open 7 AM to 8 PM

🎉 Day 31 – The Comeback City: Scranton’s Financial Resurgence 🎉

Across the city, signs of Scranton’s recovery are in plain sight.

Neighborhood parks are pulsing with energy. The city’s downtown gleams as a mixed-use district with new restaurants, cool apartments, and street-level shops adding vibrancy.

Infrastructure improvements and transformative projects that were talked about for decades but never achieved are now underway.

After 30 years of financial turmoil, Scranton has reached a level of fiscal stability few thought possible just a decade ago.

Thanks to a combination of sound fiscal management, strategic use of federal funds, and implementing policies to increase efficiency and transparency, our city's financial health is the best it’s been in memory.

And we’re getting noticed for this dynamic change.

In 2024, we received the Governor's Award for Local Government Excellence in the category of Fiscal Accountability and Best Management Practices. In 2025, we were honored again, leveling up with the Secretary's Award for Municipal Excellence in recognition of our economic and community achievements and responsible governance.

Key highlights of our efforts include:

✅ Exiting Act 47 Status: In January 2022, Scranton officially exited Pennsylvania's Act 47 program for financially distressed municipalities after 30 years.

✅ Improved Credit Rating: The city's credit rating was upgraded multiple times by Standard & Poor's to an investment-grade BBB+ rating, the first time since 2011, allowing us to save $2.2 million through bond refinancing to date.

✅ Cost Control & Fiscal Discipline: Realistic and balanced budgets have created budget surpluses and the city hasn’t needed to borrow money to start the fiscal year since 2022. The city’s 2025 and 2026 budgets include no municipal tax increases.

✅ Securing Significant Funding: The city was awarded $155 million in federal and state grants for various infrastructure and quality-of-life projects, reducing reliance on local taxpayers.

✅ Economic Development: The city worked to create a favorable environment for economic growth by slashing permit fees and streamlining the permitting process online, which has led to an increase in construction projects and new businesses.

Our city's financial health outlook is positive thanks to our careful and thoughtful management, laying the groundwork for even more growth, opportunity, and prosperity to come.

Thank you for following . We could go on for months with all the results we’ve delivered.

Please make sure to vote for Mayor Paige on Tuesday, Nov. 4th! Polls are open 7AM-8PM.

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🌟Day 30 – The Power of Convening: City Task Forces 🌟

When I first came into office, we had a clear vision: rebuild the city’s finances, enhance public safety, improve overall quality of life, and bring people together.

By working in partnership with local nonprofits, government agencies, and various community members and groups, we’ve been able to tackle complex issues and make Scranton more vibrant and livable by bringing together diverse expertise.

The multi-agency Task Forces I spearheaded with the City Hall team and our community partners include:

✅ Hunger Task Force – Addresses food insecurity and identifies gaps in service delivery. Just this week, we relaunched the Heart of Scranton Fundraiser with the Scranton Area Foundation to help those families who are struggling amid cuts to their federal SNAP benefits.

✅ Unsheltered Task Force – Provides resources and support for the city's homeless population and helps refine the “Code Blue" system that provides shelter during extreme winter weather.

✅ Scranton Arts Committee - In partnership with Scranton Tomorrow, Pocket Park Live! is an annual series of free events in downtown Scranton that showcases theater, live music, and other performances.

✅ Youth Committee - Our Youth Engagement Fair (for teens aged 14-17) focuses on summer jobs and career prep for older teens and young adults.

✅ Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Strategy - In partnership with Lackawanna County, The Scranton School District, the DA’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and community partners, we’re designing, developing, and implementing a holistic approach to combatting – and preventing – violent crime, especially among our youth population.

Tune in tomorrow for yet another Scranton Success!

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🥊 Day 28 – Fighting Utility Rate Hikes 🥊

We refuse to accept utility rate hikes without putting up a fight.

By actively challenging proposed increases, we’re protecting Scranton families and businesses while ensuring utilities are accountable for their investments and business practices.

Our proven tactics include:

✅ Demanding public hearings

✅ Forming a united front with regional and statewide leaders

✅ Encouraging residents to file formal complaints

💪 Our strong public pressure campaigns work.

We’ve been able to reduce proposed rate increases by Pennsylvania American Water (slashing their request by half) and triggered investigations by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) into proposed hikes by UGI.

And just this past week, the PUC voted unanimously to suspend and investigate the proposed rate increase by PPL Electric.

Working families, seniors, and small businesses are already feeling the pinch of higher prices for everyday necessities. By challenging these rate hikes, we’re making sure utilities aren’t adding to their burden by making them foot the bill for unnecessary costs.

Tune in tomorrow for yet another Scranton Success!

⭐️Day 27 – Sprucin’ Up Scranton ⭐️

🌳 As part of our ongoing efforts to make Scranton a cleaner, greener place for all, we launched a community beautification program back in 2023.

🏡 The city’s dedicated DPW workers alongside neighborhood volunteers have been tidying up Scranton’s neighborhoods and parks ever since.

🧹Sprucin’ Up Scranton, a city-wide cleanup initiative, supports our ongoing efforts to combat blight and enhance the quality of life for those who live and work in Scranton.

These organized neighborhood cleanups have helped us create a cleaner, healthier, and safer community that instills pride in residents and makes the city more attractive to visitors and businesses.

🧤On a typical cleanup day, we designate a city park as our headquarters where volunteers can collect free supplies, including trash bags and gloves provided by the city. Participants then head out and collect all sorts of litter from sidewalks and parks before dropping off their filled bags for the DPW to collect.

It’s a great way for the community to come together and develop a sense of ownership in their neighborhood. From removing pollution to fostering community bonds, our Sprucin’ Up Scranton events are creating tangible, positive change.

💪Tune in tomorrow for yet another Scranton Success! 💪

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🌟Day 26 – Pop-Up City Halls🌟

Making local government accessible means meeting residents where they are.

That’s why, since the beginning, we’ve brought City Hall to every neighborhood in Scranton.

What started as an opportunity to bring municipal services and city officials directly into neighborhood parks and community spaces during COVID has since blossomed into regular events held throughout the city.

What do City Hall Pop Ups provide?

✔️ One-on-one interactions with city employees who can directly answer questions, listen to concerns, and provide information about city initiatives and employment opportunities.

✔️ Safety resources and equipment, including free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed by the Scranton Fire Department and new DPW recycling bins.

✔️ Additional information about available resources provided by local partner organizations, from food assistance to rent and utility relief programs, and from healthcare to library services.

Tune in tomorrow for yet another Scranton Success!

Your Vote is Your Voice!

The November 4, 2025, General Election is less than ten days away!

📭 If you have still have your mail-in ballot, please return it as soon as possible.

🗓️ If you still need to request your ballot, you have until Tuesday, Oct. 28 to do so.

More information in comments…

☎️ Day 25 – 311 Hotline ☎️

🙋‍♀️ Have a question about the City’s recycling schedule?

🙋‍♂️Is there a pothole or missing street sign in your neighborhood?

Help is only a 📞 phone call or 📧 email away.

We launched a 311 reporting system in the early days of 2020 – a direct City Hall point-of-contact designed to simplify how residents get assistance with non-emergency, city-related questions and service requests.

You can:

✔️ Report non-emergency issues

❓Ask questions

📍Get guidance on city services

You can connect in 3 ways:

1️⃣ Call the 311 number: 570-348-4101

2️⃣ Email [email protected]

3️⃣ Submit a request through the city’s online 311 portal (link in comments)

With the introduction of the 311 reporting system, we’re creating a city government that’s efficient, responsive, and accessible to all.

Whether you’re a resident, visitor, or local business, our goal is to make it easier for you to report non-emergency issues in a streamlined, user-friendly experience.

Tune in tomorrow for yet another Scranton Success!