Editing Luzerne County, Pennsylvania (section)

===Background===
Luzerne County voters rejected [[Home rule in the United States|home rule]] proposals in the past (once in 1974 and again in 2003). However, from [[Kids for cash scandal|2008]] to 2010, corruption plagued the county government. Three county judges, a [[Greg Skrepenak|county commissioner]], a clerk of courts, a deputy chief clerk, and a director of human resources faced criminal charges. These events persuaded the voters of Luzerne County to adopt a new form of government. On Tuesday, November 2, 2010, a [[List of Pennsylvania municipalities and counties with home rule charters, optional charters, or optional plans|home rule charter]] was adopted by a margin of 51,413 to 41,639.<ref name="standardspeaker.com"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/>

The following year (in 2011), the first [[Luzerne County Council elections#2011 county council election|election]] for the new government was held. On Monday, January 2, 2012, the previous government (the [[County commission|board of county commissioners]]) was abolished and replaced with the new form of government ([[council–manager government]]). The first members of the [[Luzerne County Council]] were sworn in that same day. The council's highest-ranking officer is the chair, who is also the [[Head of government|head of county government]] for ceremonial purposes. The first council chair was Jim Bobeck.<ref name="youtube1" /> The assembly consists of eleven elected members. They appoint and work alongside a full-time [[Luzerne County Manager|manager]]. The manager oversees the county's day-to-day operations. The first manager was Robert Lawton.<ref name="pahomepage.com" />