Luzerne County Faces Petition to Repeal Anti-Discrimination Ordinance

In a significant move that could reshape Luzerne County’s legislative landscape, over 15,000 signatures were recently submitted to challenge the county’s anti-discrimination ordinance. The initiative, led by organizer Walter Griffith, has surpassed the 11,615 signatures required to potentially force the county council to reconsider the ordinance or place it on a referendum.

Griffith, a former Luzerne County controller, announced that the Clerk of County Council has 20 days to validate these signatures. Should the petition be certified, the county council will have a 30-day window to decide whether to repeal the ordinance or let voters decide in the 2027 primary election.

“We only had 45 days to get these signatures, and 45 days to get 15,000 signatures is a huge task,” Griffith noted, emphasizing the dedication of volunteers who worked tirelessly without compensation. He described the effort as a “huge victory” for the petitioners, highlighting the community’s commitment to their cause.

Contentious Debates Emerge

The ordinance, introduced by Luzerne County Council member Joanna Bryn Smith, aims to extend discrimination protections to several classes, including gender identity, sexual orientation, and veteran status. Its introduction has fueled intense debates and political divisions within the county.

Bryn Smith, who championed the ordinance, expressed concern over the potential referendum, stating, “When the majority is allowed to decide… whether or not the minority has equal rights, it is only more divisive and bad things have only come from it.” She argues that the ordinance is crucial for protecting minority rights.

However, Griffith and his supporters argue that the ordinance represents government overreach. “They’re anti-ordinance that is government overreach,” Griffith explained. He also pointed out that the ordinance’s inclusion of gender identity as a protected class has been a point of contention among petition signers.

Ordinance’s Reach and Concerns

The ordinance’s scope extends beyond existing state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and includes the establishment of a human relations commission to handle discrimination complaints locally. Liz Bradbury, chair of the Lehigh County Human Relations Commission, emphasized that local ordinances can streamline complaint resolution, citing a backlog of 1,700 cases at the state level.

Bradbury also addressed concerns raised at a public forum about the ordinance’s implications for undocumented immigrants and transgender protections. She clarified that the ordinance does not alter existing laws regarding citizenship status or force schools to change bathroom policies.

Griffith, however, remains skeptical about the necessity of the ordinance and its potential financial implications for the county. He contends that the ordinance could increase litigation costs and infringe upon constitutional rights.

Future Steps and Implications

As the county awaits the signature validation process, the ordinance’s fate hangs in the balance. Griffith hopes the county council will heed the petitioners’ call to repeal the ordinance, especially with upcoming elections potentially influencing council members’ decisions.

If the council does not act, the issue will likely be decided by Luzerne County voters in the next primary election. “The messenger is right on target,” Griffith stated, underscoring the petitioners’ resolve to use the referendum process to challenge the ordinance.