Luzerne Times

Sens. Lisa Baker, Judy Ward, and David Argall have announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at restoring the original name of the Central Scranton Expressway. This move follows public dissatisfaction with former President Joe Biden's decision to commute the sentence of Michael Conahan, a central figure in the "Kids for Cash" scandal.

Michael Conahan, a judge from Scranton, was convicted for his involvement in corrupting Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system. His commutation has been met with strong disapproval. Sen. Baker stated, "The decision to commute Michael Conahan’s sentence is incomprehensible and unjust," emphasizing that it reopens old wounds for victims and their families.

In 2021, the Scranton City Council had renamed the expressway in honor of Biden. However, following the commutation, there is renewed demand for reverting to its original name. Sen. Ward remarked, "This commutation sends a terrible message to victims of abuse and those who fight for justice."

Sen. Argall expressed empathy for affected families: "For the families affected by these crimes, the past few weeks have been painful." He hopes for swift legislative action to address this issue.