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Council Opposes "Rural" Designation

Erie City Council today called on the state to reconsider a designation of Erie as a "rural" area.

 The Department of Public Welfare recently lumped Erie in with several less populated counties, resulting in a switch from an "urban" to a "rural" designation.

 Council members say the change is unfair. And they worry the switch will hurt groups that fund the needy and disabled, with Harrisburg sending less money to Erie and more money to larger cities.

 City Council member Bob Merski, Jr. said, "So many social service agencies in the Erie community depend on the state funding. Those are our state dollars and they are going to Philadelphia now instead of coming back to Erie."

Council today voted to send a letter to Governor Corbett and DPW Secretary Harriet Dichter, urging the decision be reversed.