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Checked against the record · Pennsylvania 8th District 2026

Did Paige Cognetti cut costs and produce budget surpluses in Scranton?

Matches stated record claim. S&P and city figures show general-fund surpluses in most years since 2019, with a planned deficit in 2024 for a flood-control project.

Paige Cognetti

Scranton's finances: budget surpluses

Matches stated record claim

What they say

Her campaign says she cut costs as mayor, leading to budget surpluses.

“cut costs, leading to budget surpluses”

What the record shows ·

S&P reports general-fund surpluses of 1 to 6 per cent in 2019-2021 and 3.8 per cent in 2022, and a city estimate of a $3.8 million surplus in 2023. Its January 2026 report says results have been mostly positive since 2020. The city ran a planned deficit in 2024 for a flood-control project, and estimates a $3 million surplus for 2025.

Limit: These are S&P's adjusted figures and the city's own estimates. On her claim of a budget balanced 'for the first time in decades', S&P records an adjusted surplus in 2019, the year before she took office, but the city's own 2019 audit shows general-fund spending $382,623 above revenue; years before 2019 were not established.

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  1. Meet Paige Cognettihttps://paigeforpa.com/meet-paige-cognetti/

    Paige For PA · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Campaign biography and record claims as mayor.

    candidate statement

    For: Did Paige Cognetti cut costs and produce budget surpluses in Scranton?

  2. S&P Global Ratings summary: Scranton, Pennsylvania; General Obligation (June 7, 2023) (document)

    S&P Global Ratings, posted by the City of Scranton · Published Jun 7, 2023 · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Raises the city's rating to BBB- from BB+, investment grade, citing balanced operations without reliance on federal stimulus; the city used no ARPA money for operations. Records adjusted general-fund surpluses of 1 to 6 per cent in audited fiscal 2019-2021 and a preliminary 3.8 per cent surplus in 2022.

    official office record

    For: Did Paige Cognetti cut costs and produce budget surpluses in Scranton?

  3. City of Scranton Credit Rating Jumps Two Grades, Now BBB+https://scrantonpa.gov/city-of-scranton-credit-rating-jumps-two-grades-now-bbb/

    City of Scranton · Published Mar 11, 2024 · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    City release of March 2024. Says S&P withdrew the city's BB- rating in 2011, gave a junk-level BB rating in 2016, and raised it to BB+ in March 2022. Quotes S&P's March 2024 report: management estimates 2023 closed with a $3.8 million general-fund surplus.

    official office record

    For: Did Paige Cognetti cut costs and produce budget surpluses in Scranton?

  4. S&P Global Ratings research update: Scranton GO rating raised to 'A-' (January 12, 2026) (document)

    S&P Global Ratings, posted by the City of Scranton · Published Jan 12, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 1, 2026

    Raises the rating to A- from BBB+, outlook stable. Credits the county reassessment among other things. Says results have been mostly positive since fiscal 2020; fiscal 2024 was the first deficit of five years, planned one-time spending on a FEMA flood-control project; the city estimates a $3 million surplus for 2025.

    official office record

    For: Did Paige Cognetti cut costs and produce budget surpluses in Scranton?

  5. City of Scranton, Pennsylvania: Financial Statements, Year Ended December 31, 2019 (document)

    City of Scranton · Published Nov 20, 2025 · Reviewed Oct 2, 2026

    The city's audited statements for 2019 (scanned; posted November 2025). The governmental-funds statement on printed page 8 shows General Fund revenue of $86,829,756 and spending of $87,212,379, a shortfall of $382,623 before transfers.

    official office record

    For: Did Paige Cognetti cut costs and produce budget surpluses in Scranton?