Unearthed records reveal Dem mayor sought tax hike to fund DEI role ahead of key House race

By Fox News · Fox News

Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District, once proposed raising taxes to make room for a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) officer. A "DEI coordinator" was among eight new hires in the city’s 2023 proposed budget and would have set aside $25,500 for the position. In order to cover the costs of that opening and those of a police chief, a fire chief, a business administrator, a solicitor and a director of public works, the budget included a 3% property tax increase, estimated to generate $957,000 for the city. The positions themselves were estimated to cost $380,500. That budget was ultimately not adopted. Cognetti’s proposed plan highlights her beliefs about diversity in government and the directness with which government should pursue representation among certain demographics as she looks to flip one of the country’s most competitive districts and unseat incumbent Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Pa. RED-STATE SENATOR DROPS HAMMER ON DEM MAYOR OVER NEW 'WOKE' DEI ORDINANCE WHILE VIOLENT CRIME SURGES In the past, Cognetti has highlighted her purposeful pursuit of diversity in government. "We’re not doing this for the publicity. We’re doing this quietly so that these conversations just become the norm," Cognetti said in a podcast appearance. When asked about the DEI proposals and the 2023 budget, the Cognetti campaign pointed out that Bresnahan’s company has received government assistance for being "women-owned," support it says is in line with DEI policies. "Rob Bresnahan’s own company identifies itself as disadvantaged and women-owned in order to get a leg up on securing federal contracts," a Cognetti spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital, referring to Kuharchik Construction Inc. The company, which Bresnahan began leading as CEO in 2013, has received $162,000 in federal contracts since 2008, according to records. MAMDANI COMPARISONS FOLLOW COLORADO DEMOCRAT INTO…