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| The Barb Wire |
| #Listrak\DateStampLong# |
The latest news from the State Capitol |
Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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2024-25 State Budget Update
The Pennsylvania budget, albeit 11 days late, was finished late last night.
The $47.6 billion spend included in Senate Bill 1001 for FY 2024-25 is $740 million less than the amount proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in his February budget address, yet still over the commonly referred to Taxpayer Protection Act, stating that the state should not spend more than it brings in. Unfortunately, this spending exceeds by about $3.3 billion what the Commonwealth is anticipated to collect in revenues over the coming fiscal year. That means it requires spending some of the state’s reserve funds to balance, which is not sustainable and is highly likely to lead to a tax hike in the near future. For this reason, I voted no on this budget.
The focus of this budget is on spending today, without regard for the future. In other words, it’s deficit spending, as the education increases in particular, are not one-time funds and must be maintained year over year, in good economic times and in bad. The General Fund does not include the PSERS deficit of over $50 billion, which also needs to be paid down. In addition to the massive spending increase, the FY 2024-25 budget will add over $500 million in new debt to the Commonwealth, which will take decades to pay off, with tax increases looming. The budget adds over $1.3 billion in spending for PreK-12 education, of which $1 billion in new money will be allocated toward school districts, without any accountability measures or opportunities for children stuck in failing schools.
While you don’t spend more than you bring in as a taxpayer, the state should also be fiscally responsible, and spend taxpayer dollars effectively. We could have helped fund the underfunded schools; however, the governor added so many other new programs and initiatives, not reflective of the needs of the people today, the budget increase became massive and left us without that option.
Senate Bill 700 was the Public School Code, which describes how the school dollars will be spent in the budget. I will highlight that policy in the next Barb Wire.
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Bullying and School Choice
House Bill 1293 would require school districts to give parental notification if their child was bullied in school within five days. Most schools already have a bullying policy; however, this bill includes “cyberbullying.” Cyberbullying is defined as a written act committed during school hours and through the use of data or computer software accessed through a computer, computer system, computer network, cellular telephone or other wireless or cellular communications device, directed at another student. School districts are also required to report bullying per their policies through PIMS, “Pennsylvania Information Management System.” This rarely actually occurs, even though it is a necessary step in school safety and security. I wanted to amend the bill with Lifeline Scholarships, which would allow students in the lowest 15% of schools in terms of performance to access other choices of education outside of their school, especially if there was no relief from bullying within their schools. Bullying and safety are one of the top three reasons parents and students want to choose another school to better fit their needs. These dollars would come from the state, managed by the Treasury, in a line item and not through the school district. The speaker of the House would not allow the amendment.
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Helping First-Time Homebuyers
Working to boost opportunities for homeownership in the Commonwealth, I recently joined a majority of members in the state House in approving a bill that would create a savings program to help first-time homebuyers.
House Bill 126 would establish the First-Time Homebuyer Savings Account Program and an associated fund that would be overseen by the state Treasury. It would work similar to 529 savings accounts currently being used to help people save for higher education tuition and expenses for people with disabilities.
Under the bill, funds set aside by future first-time homebuyers may be used as a deduction on state income tax. If the account holder uses the money for other purposes, it would become taxable income.
House Bill 126 is pending action in the state Senate.
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Protecting Property Owners Against Squatters
Legislation that would make it easier for property owners to get unauthorized occupants – or squatters – out of their properties has been approved by the General Assembly and is awaiting the governor’s signature to become law.
Senate Bill 1236 aims to provide more certainty and clarity for homeowners, landlords and law enforcement officers who must deal with squatters by codifying existing case law on the subject.
Currently, property owners face an exhausting and often painful journey to reclaim their properties. The requirement to issue a “notice to quit” to individuals who have no legitimate claim on a property burdens property owners financially and emotionally.
The bill passed both the House and Senate unanimously.
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Celebrating PA as Birthplace of American Democracy
The quintessential symbol of the Commonwealth and our nation’s independence – the Liberty Bell – will soon be featured on a new Pennsylvania license plate and on welcome signs at state-border entry points.
The new plates and signs reflect the Commonwealth’s key role in our nation’s history, as well as its role in marking the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026.
The license plates will not be available until next year, but you can sign up now to receive an email update when the new license plates are ready to order in spring 2025. Military, special organization, special fund and specialty plates without legislatively mandated designs will also be updated with the new design.
When the plates become available, fee information will be included with replacement instructions on PennDOT’s website and will vary based on plate type and any optional personalization. The department and its partners will use all existing standard issue license plate inventory before transitioning to the new plate design.
The new welcome signs have already been installed in eight locations: on U.S. 15 in Adams County; Interstate 295 in Bucks County; Interstate 90/the Ohio line in Erie County; Interstate 70 in Fulton County; Interstate 80 in Monroe County; Route 449 in Potter County; Interstate 81 in Susquehanna County; and Route 1015 in Tioga County. Another 29 signs will be installed in the coming months.
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PBDA Accepting Applications for Program to Provide Laptops
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) has announced the application period is open for its Digital Connectivity Technology Program. Through the new program, the PBDA will purchase and distribute $20 million in laptops for eligible public-facing institutions such as libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations and other community anchor institutions that can offer internet access to individuals who lack the technology.
Online applications can be made through the PBDA website until Monday, Aug. 19.
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Fun for All Ages Awaits at PA Fairs
Summer is in full swing, and so is Pennsylvania fair season! Communities across the Commonwealth are hosting dozens of fairs featuring food, fun and entertainment, as well as competitive exhibits highlighting animals, produce, crops, crafts, baking and more.
To plan your fair visit, check out the 2024 PA Fair Guide here.
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It’s Newville Lion’s Club Community Fair Weekend
Congratulations to the Newville Lion’s Club Fair planning committee and thank you to all the businesses and individuals who have supported this year's Newville Lions Club COMMUNITY FAIR, going on this week from July 10-13. All proceeds go to support the Newville Lions Project Fund, which helps the many greater Newville organizations and agencies. You won’t want to miss the food, games, line dancing, pageants, Chris Woodward band, fireworks and tractor pull.
I look forward to seeing you this weekend at the Newville Lion’s Club Fairgrounds, 433 Shippensburg Road, Newville!
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Upper Frankford Township’s 75th Annual Fireman’s Fair
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Too Hot to Cook?
From 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. the Carlisle Christian Academy is hosting a Chicken BBQ Fundraiser for a hospitalized student involved in a severe car accident at Bethel Assembly of God, 1412 Holly Pike, Carlisle, PA 17015. The cost is $10 per meal.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Ice Cream & Issues: Budget & FPR Update
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Upper Mifflin Township Athletic Park
455 Whiskey Run Road
Newville, PA 17241
Ice Cream & Issues: Budget & FPR Update
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Letort Park
260 East Pomfret St.
Carlisle, PA 17013
Registration appreciated by Friday, July 26, at RepGleim.com/events or call 717-249-1990.
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| Office Locations |
| District Office: 437 E North Street | Carlisle, PA 17013 | Phone: 717-249-1990 |
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| 427 Irvis Office Building | House Box 202199 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2199 | 717-772-2280 |
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