Officials with Mahoning and Trumbull Counties are considering changing the way they govern. Today they met to discuss a county-wide home rule charter. There's no doubt the Valley is facing tough economic times, companies are closing or moving, taking valuable jobs with them. Officials say its time to stop the local economy from bleeding any more, and one way to heal the area may be to change the form of government.

"DOING THIS HAVING AN ELECTED COUNTY EXECUTIVE WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO GO I THINK CREATES A ONE STOP SHOP, WHO IS SPEAKING FOR MAHONING COUNTY, TRUMBULL COUNTY IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT."

Each county will establish its own home rule.

"I WOULD HOPE THAT THE 3 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN TRUMBULL COUNTY AND THE OTHER 8 ELECTED OFFICE HOLDERS USE THIS AS A SOUNDING BOARD TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICES."

And to help them through this process, they are using Summit County in Ohio and Allegheny County in P-A as models.

"THERE ECONOMIES ARE VERY SIMILAR TO THIS VALLEY AND THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TURN THEIR ECONOMIES AROUND THEY'RE NO LONGER LOSING JOBS."

But the local committees have a long journey ahead of them over the next year. They have to write the new charters, educate the public, and gather over 17 thousand signatures between the two counties...all in time to put the proposals on the ballot in November of 2008.

But officials in Mahoning and Trumbull counties aren't the only ones looking into home rule charters. But,  what this form of government means to a community.

More and more local municipalities are weighing the pros and cons of establishing a home rule charter. For example, Warren city council recently brought the issue to the table.

" IT COULD CHANGE THE STRUCTURE OF THE GOVERNMENT. SO IT WOULD MOVE FROM AN ELECTED MAYOR TO AN APPOINTED MANAGER AND STILL HAVE ELECTION OF ITS COUNCIL MEMBERS."

Home rule has been around nationally for the last 40 years and right now 30 states allow local agencies to change their governing bodies.

"HOME RULE ALLOWS OFFICIALS TO TAYLOR GOVERNMENT TO THEIR SPECIFIC COMMUNITY, BUT THEY NEED TO FOLLOW STATE GUIDELINES."

Sharon followed Pennsylvania's guidelines by appointing a commission, which then established a charter government.

"THE SHARON COMMISSION GAVE UNANIMOUS APPROVAL TO THIS NEW FORM OF GOVERNMENT WHERE YOU'D HAVE A CITY APPOINTED MANAGER AND ELECTED CITY COUNCIL...WITH ITS AIM TO BRING IN MORE PROFESSIONALISM."

While some are concerned they're losing their voice when it comes to living by a home rule charter, ultimately, it's voters who have the final say on the change.

"WHILE THEY MAY OFTEN GET TO THE BALLOT THEY ARE DEFEATED AS MANY TIMES AS THEY ARE PASSED. THIS IS BY NO MEANS A SLAM DUNK, THIS IS A 50 50 SHOT THAT IT WOULD PASS."