Lancaster residents organize in PAC, groups to encourage voter turnout for home rule question

Advocate groups and committees are springing up in the weeks ahead of the Nov. 5 general election to sway opinion on Lancaster city's proposed home rule charter, which city voters will either approve or reject.

DJ Ramsay, a city communications manager, and City Council President Amanda Bakay formed the political action committee Lancaster Forward in August to raise awareness about the charter. Ramsay said they created the PAC to combat the spread of "misinformation" on home rule.

"Our mission is about more than just policy, it's about building a culture of civic participation," an online mission statement for Lancaster Forward says. "We bring together volunteers, organize advocacy efforts and collaborate with the wider community to build momentum for policies that benefit everyone."

The PAC paid for a home rule informational website that speaks positively of potential impacts of an adopted charter, focusing heavily on how city taxes could change. The city can lift state-mandated caps on existing taxes through home rule, namely the earned income tax.

Mayor Danene Sorace has proposed a .3% earned income tax increase if home rule passes. A tool on the website helps residents predict how much more they would pay with the tax increase.

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Alternatively, a group called Lancaster City Gate Keepers is handing out flyers encouraging people to vote against home rule because of proposed higher taxes.

Sorace also has proposed an 8% property tax increase if the charter fails.

Lancaster County election officials said Lancaster City Gate Keepers has not formally filed paperwork to register as a PAC, and the group's organizers could not be reached for comment.

Home rule commissioners can independently create PACs to advocate for the charter, but so far, none have. Amy Ruffo, who leads the commission's educational work, said the education committee is not involved with the Lancaster Forward PAC.

The home rule charter is available online at lanc.news/HomeRuleFinal . Voters can learn more about home rule at the commission's first education event at 6 p.m. Thursday at West Art, 816 Buchanan Ave. Sorace will talk about the charter, as well as policy decisions that would accompany its approval.

LNP | LancasterOnline reporter Sarah Nicell contributed to this report.