Lancaster City Voters Adopt Home Rule
Introduction
Home Rule is a type of local government available in Pennsylvania. It transfers the basic authority to act from state law to a local charter drafted, adopted, and amended by local voters. The Home Rule Charter would essentially be Lancaster’s local constitution. On Thursday, August 15, 2024, the Home Rule Study Commission adopted its Final Report and the final Proposed Home Rule Charter. On November 5, Lancaster City voters will decide whether or not to adopt the Home Rule Charter.
Learn More
Additional Resources
- It’s Not 1965 Anymore (PDF)
PA Economy League - Home Rule in Pennsylvania Presentation
Feb. 1, 2023 - Norma de Autonomía [Home Rule] en PA Presentación
1 de Febrero 2023 (en Español) - Home Rule in PA Presentation to Council
Feb. 1, 2023 (Video)
PRESS COVERAGE
Home Rule Basics
Home Rule Study Commission
On May 16, 2023, Lancaster City voters decided to form a Home Rule Study Commission to determine if a home rule charter would better serve the City of Lancaster. On January 27. 2024, by a vote of 7-1, the Home Rule Study Commission voted to move forward with drafting a home rule charter for the City of Lancaster.
What is the purpose of the Home Rule Study Commission?
To examine our current form of government, potential changes, then make recommendations.
“Commissioners are charged with the task of “comprehensively reviewing, studying and analyzing the very governmental structure for their own community. But it is not just a study, because the commission’s recommendations are promptly placed before the voters for a decision.” (Home Rule in Pennsylvania)
The election of members to the study commission happened concurrently with the ballot question. Members of the study commission must only be registered voters within the city. Candidates were nominated by filing nomination papers signed by two hundred registered voters in Lancaster City.
What is Home Rule?
Developing a home rule charter transfers authority to act from state law to a local charter.
Pennsylvania adopted Home Rule Law in 1972. The PA Department of Community and Economic Development summarizes Home Rule in this way:
“The basic concept of Home Rule is relatively simple. The basic authority to act in municipal affairs is transferred from state law, as set forth by the General Assembly, to a local charter, adopted and amended by voters. But Home Rule does not set a municipality adrift from the rest of the state. It is subject to restrictions found in the United States and Pennsylvania constitutions and in state laws applicable to Home Rule municipalities. Local autonomy under Home Rule is a limited independence, but the thrust has been changed. Local governments without Home Rule can only act where specifically authorized by state law; Home Rule municipalities can act anywhere except where they are specifically limited by state law.” (Home Rule in Pennsylvania)
How does the City adopt a Home Rule Charter?
The adoption of a Home Rule Charter is by the electorate on General Election day. The voters are given a single proposal and either accept or reject the charter as a whole. The earliest a Home Rule Charter could be on the ballot for the voters to decide would be November 5, 2024.
Home Rule Study Commission Resources
- Will the Home Rule charter address expenditure increases?
- Will Home Rule raise my taxes?
- Will Home Rule give the city the ability to tax whatever it wants?
- Will Home Rule give the city the ability to tax residents as high as it wants?
- Will Home Rule address the fact that approximately one-third of city property is tax exempt?
- Why would a municipality seek Home Rule?
- Why is the City of Lancaster interested in revenue flexibility that is provided by Home Rule?
- Why did the Home Rule Study Commission vote to draft a charter?
- Who makes the ultimate decision on Home Rule?
- Who is the Home Rule Study Commission?
- Who is paying for the Home Rule process?
- When will the draft be ready for public review and comment?
- What work has the Home Rule Study Commission completed?
- What is the result of inflexible taxes under the state municipal codes and laws?
- What is the connection between flexibility and public services?
- What is in a Home Rule Charter?
- What is Home Rule?
- What did the Home Rule Study Commission learn about Lancaster and peer communities?
- What are the Home Rule Study Commission’s next steps?
- How will a Home Rule Charter accomplish those goals?
- How many Home Rule Charter municipalities are in Pennsylvania?
- How does revenue flexibility work?
- How can the public get involved?
- Are there limits on a Home Rule Charter?