PSATS pushes Local Government Bill of Rights to limit state encroachment

Dave Sanko described PSATS' Local Government Bill of Rights as an initiative to reaffirm local authority over land-use and municipal services and to push back against what PSATS sees as state encroachment.

"It was to restore that—what Pennsylvania has been based on: local control, local decision making," Sanko said, framing the measure as a response to recent state moves that he said had attempted to centralize decisions. He told hosts the proposal also seeks to cut unfunded mandates and improve transparency in local government advertising and operations.

Sanko said the campaign is partly symbolic—tied to the 250th anniversary of the nation—and partly practical: PSATS wants to give local officials better tools and training so they can make defensible land-use choices when developers bring complex proposals.