Harrisburg residents invited to weigh in on debt crisis

(Harrisburg) -- Harrisburg residents who want to voice their thoughts about solving the city's multi-million-dollar debt crisis will have an opportunity tonight at a community forum.  

The event at the Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg is organized by the nonprofit Harrisburg Hope.

It’s designed to bring together state lawmakers and residents to discuss the legislative actions that can be taken to help improve Harrisburg's finances.

Group President Alan Kennedy-Shaffer says lawmakers have several potential legislative options, including "a commuter tax, sales tax, drink tax, or even pressure on AGM, the bond insurer, to bring down the debt."

Harrisburg is more than $300 million in the hole in the wake of a botched retrofit of its incinerator.

Republican state Senators Mike Folmer of Lebanon County and John Eichelberger of Blair County, as well as Democratic Senator-elect Rob Teplitz of Harrisburg, will be on hand at the event.

The forum will begin at 6pm at the bookstore at 100 North Third Street in Harrisburg.