3 midstate mayors lay out their wish lists at first-ever “State of Our Cities”

(Harrisburg) — The mayors of three of the midstate’s largest cities have their wish lists:overhauls of the property tax and municipal pension systems and consolidating school districts.

The priorities emerged during a panel discussion as the first-ever “State of Our Cities”, hosted by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber.

York Mayor Kim Bracey and Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse seemed most passionate about changes to property taxes and municipal pensions.

Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray, on the other hand, emphasized a county-wide school system – because he says it would integrate students from different backgrounds.

All three say the downtown areas in their cities are coming alive, but Mayor Gray says he’s frustrated the revival is hidden behind negative headlines.

“We work hard to improve the image of our cities, we work hard to develop them economically, and then they’re stereotyped by a handful of people with guns that shouldn’t have them and use them inappropriately. It just damages our city,” says Gray.

Gray says when he gets a call about a murder, he feels guilty, and asks himself what he could have done to prevent the violence.

He called out the General Assembly, arguing it shouldn’t pass a bill that would allow gun rights groups like the NRA to sue cities over firearms laws. 

York Mayor Bracey says the violence keeps on popping up.

“We’re doing so many great things in the city of York, but there’s this. This blemish, this part of our community. We see the spikes and then we have a quiet period. Getting a call at 3 in the morning ‘We’ve had a homicide’, that’s not a good feeling,” she says.

There have been at least three shootings in York this week that left one dead.

The mayors said it’s not just a matter of law enforcement, but the need for economic opportunity.