Two Mahoning Valley state representatives introduced a bill earlier this week that would reduce the size of the Youngstown Municipal Court from three judges to two.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Bob Hagan, D-Youngstown, and Ron Gerberry, D-Austintown, would abolish the seat that was left vacant when former Judge Robert Douglas retired this summer.
The seat has not yet been filled by Gov. John Kasich.
In a news release, Hagan said at least two studies plus a justice on the state Supreme Court agree that the court only needs two judges because of a declining case load.
One of those groups is the Mahoning County Bar Association, which last week recommended that the court use just two judges.
The third judge for the city court was created in 1953, when the population of the city was close to 150,000 residents. Currently, the population is about 67,000.
Some in the city have opposed the move, saying that more studies need to be done and also because some of the special services run by the court, such as Veterans and Housing court, may have to be eliminated or cut back if there are only two judges.