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Budget Halted in Hazleton

HAZLETON — Last year Hazleton’s mayor and council ended up in court, unable to strike a compromise on the budget. Some council members say they are ...

HAZLETON -- Last year Hazleton's mayor and council ended up in court, unable to strike a compromise on the budget.

Some council members say they are headed in that direction again after a meeting that left a lot of people confused about what happens next.

Citing a scheduling technicality, Hazleton city council voted Tuesday night to table a measure that could have put a 2015 budget in place.

The council now plans to meet sometime on Friday, to vote on whether to overturn Mayor Joe Yannuzzi's veto of the 2015 budget plan that council approved.

"I was predicting quite a battle. Maybe that will happen down the road," said John Homa of Hazleton.

So what happens next?

Some council members say if they fail to override the mayor's veto, the city would be forced to shut down, stopping all non-essential services.

"City Hall closes down, all the services that people are looking for, be it permits or licences, and I believe even as far as the streets are concerned," said council member Dave Sosar.

But the mayor disagrees, saying the city can continue to function no matter which side prevails.

"They came in here, 'Hurry up, get this done,' to show that they are going to override my veto and they have to stall off again," Mayor Yanuzzi said.

So who has the upper hand?

Some council members say if the override fails they could end up facing the mayor in court, again.

City council did appoint a solicitor tonight and it appears he already has his hands full.

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