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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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Why I Oppose the Democrat Education Plan
My no vote on House Bill 2370 last week is part of the normal process of a funding bill. All Republicans opposed the bill but five. We will be receiving a Senate version as well. Please disregard local Democrat media tactics stating otherwise.
I voted no on this version because it proposed nothing to improve the education system in Pennsylvania or change how schools are funded, except raising the base funding, which we have done every year over the last 10 years. This has already been proven not to work and has been ruled by the Commonwealth Court to be unconstitutional. Over the last 10 years, education funding increased by $7 billion. Pennsylvania is already ranked No. 7 in the nation in terms of per pupil spending, yet student academic performance continues to decline year-over-year and remains below pre-COVID scores. Now, the Democrat proposal barely moves the funding formula, and adds another $7 billion over the next five years. I am not opposed to another year of additional funding. What I am opposed to is not changing the funding formula to accommodate all schools, adding an adequacy gap, harming charter viability, and not taking into consideration all school funding being allocated within the total budget. While I greatly respect and appreciate the hearings held on the subject matter, more work needs to be done to ensure accountability and better outcomes, by holding additional bipartisan meetings with stakeholders to get this right.
I received a call from the president of the Carlisle School Board this week upset that I didn’t mention them when considering the vote, given they have a low property tax base. She questioned my position on the school funding formula, cyber costs to school districts, and whether I support taxpayer dollars flowing to private schools (school choice options for parents). My stance on all three of these issues has been transparent and clear. Explaining the additional funding in many other bills that are all related to education, but not included in the education line item discussion is important.
There are other very expensive education bills that have been voted on that would address: 1)creating a State Board of Higher Education, expanding duel enrollment and creating a funding formula for community colleges; 2) fresh food grants for schools; 3) school meal debt elimination; 4) lead paint and HVACC remediation; 5) teacher school grant programs; 6) school counselor ratios; 7) Lifeline scholarships, and much more. All of these bills will shape what is considered a fair and adequate form of public education; however, we are not bringing in enough revenue to pay for all of it.
Other bills being considered also deduct from the monies being allocated to schools, including Carlisle, which if passed, have the ability to take away from the funding increase. One bill in particular, which expands the prevailing wage to off-site custom fabrication and manufacturing, would increase costs to schools that are building anything. A minimum wage increase would also have an impact.
There were some items in this first draft that I agreed with, like caps on advertising costs to all school entities, cyber schools should have a designated funding cap, but I do not agree that school districts should have the power to shut down cyber schools when so many public schools are also failing and do not get the same treatment.
It is our duty as legislators to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars and until I see a version of an education funding bill that is good policy, I will continue to be a no vote. We return to session on Monday for more deliberations.
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Prevailing Wage
I voted no on House Bill 2153 that would expand the Prevailing Wage Act to include off-site custom fabrication work and prohibits paying workmen multiple rates on public works projects. This requirement makes no sense and would increase the costs of publicly funded construction projects. You can view my remarks here. It would also return the construction industry back to the Flintstones age by eliminating split rates on job sites, so only one person can work as a pipefitter, and one as an excavator, but they can’t do both. What a way to slow down a job.
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Summer Aide Introduced to the House
On Monday, I was proud to introduce my returning summer aide, Josiah Jones, in the House. Josiah is a sophomore at Hillsdale College and has served in my district office for two years on his summer and holiday vacations.
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Time to Advance Holocaust Education Bill
In the face of growing antisemitism across communities and college campuses, a group of lawmakers launched a discharge petition this week to force action on legislation that would require curriculum transparency for Holocaust education in Pennsylvania’s public schools.
A 2023 study by The Economist shows one in five young Americans believe the Holocaust is a myth. It’s more important than ever to educate our children about this dark time in world history. House Bill 1986 aims to address the problem by requiring schools that offer Holocaust education make the curriculum available on their websites. Unfortunately, the House Democrat majority has failed to move the bill since referring it to the House Education Committee at the end of January.
Under the rules of the House, discharge petitions require the signatures of at least 25 Democrats and 25 Republicans to be successful. I was proud to sign the petition and am hopeful we will have the opportunity to advance this important effort to combat antisemitism.
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Bill to Require Coverage of Biomarker Testing Passes House
Legislation that would lead to better, more effective treatment of diseases like cancer and ALS passed the state House this week and is now pending consideration by the Senate.
House Bill 1754 would require insurance coverage of biomarker testing by both commercial insurance and government-sponsored plans, subject to federal approval.
Biomarker testing may be used for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, appropriate management, or ongoing monitoring of an insured or enrollee’s disease or condition to
guide treatment decisions for the covered person.
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Congratulations Cumberland County Historical Society!
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission announced its 2023-24 Keystone Historic Preservation Grant recipients. In our district, the Cumberland County Historical Society was one of the winners.
The Cumberland County Historical Society is partnering with a Harrisburg architectural firm to develop Master Planning Documents and a Historic Structures Report. The project addresses critical infrastructure, accessibility, storage and mechanical/ electrical/plumbing issues across three historic sites to enhance community service and boost historic tourism. They have received a grant in the amount of $23,100.
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National Dairy Month
I participated in a press conference this week in honor of June being National Dairy Month. During the press conference, legislation was discussed to help provide a better future for our farmers. These initiatives include increasing PA dairy farmer access to the federal Dairy Margin Coverage Program; establishing the agriculture innovation grant program and reforming our current over-order premium system to ensure maximum efficiency and transparency.
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Cumberland Valley Ice Cream Trail
Speaking of dairy, did you know you can chill out on the Cumberland Valley Ice Cream Trail? Cumberland Valley is a dream destination for ice cream lovers and there are plenty of places to find this sweet treat. Sprinkle on some fun this summer as you pair your ice cream adventure with Cumberland Valley’s activities and events.
Sign up for the FREE 2024 Cumberland Valley Ice Cream Trail Passport and check in at participating locations to earn points toward prizes by clicking here!
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Happy Independence Day!
Many of us enjoy celebrating our nation’s independence by watching public displays of fireworks, or by setting off our own.
If you choose to set off your own fireworks, be smart, be careful and be considerate of your neighbors. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission offers the following safety tips for using fireworks:
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks, even sparklers.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Never pick up or try to relight fireworks that have not fully ignited.
• Never use fireworks after consuming alcohol or other substances that impair judgement or the ability to act quickly.
For details about the state’s fireworks laws, click here.
If you are traveling, check out 511pa.com. Free and available 24 hours a day, the site provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
PennDOT will close its driver license service centers on Thursday, July 4. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, dmv.pa.gov.
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Stars Burst Over Carlisle
“Stars Burst Over Carlisle,” the Borough’s annual live fireworks show, returns in 2024. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, July 3, with a rain date of Saturday, July 6. The gates to the fairgrounds will open at 6 p.m., and admission is free of charge. A D.J. will provide entertainment starting at 7 p.m., and concession stands will sell food and drinks. Launched from the highest spot at the Carlisle Fairgrounds at approximately 9:30 p.m., the fireworks can be seen from nearby streets, parks and backyards.
This year, the community owes a great deal of thanks to The Fraternal Order of Elks, which has stepped up as the premiere sponsor of the 2024 Stars Burst over Carlisle fireworks show. Additionally, thanks to Carlisle Events for once again hosting the fireworks celebrations at the Carlisle Fairgrounds free of charge and North Middleton Township for their continued financial and logistical support.
There are plenty of other Independence Day celebrations from fireworks, special events, unique places to cool down and more. Pick one or more of the Fourth of July activities and make the most of this July 4th weekend by clicking here!
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Have a safe and happy Independence Day!
Our district office will be closed on Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5.
The Barb Wire will not be published next week but will return the second week of July.
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Fish for Free on Independence Day!
On Thursday, July 4, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will host a Fish for Free day to allow anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish on all Pennsylvania waterways. No license is required, but all other fishing regulations still apply. This is a great way to expose the next generation of anglers to the outdoors! More information about fishing in Pennsylvania is available here.
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FPR Legislation Stalled By PA Farm Bureau
After six months of workgroup meetings and deliberation, and having a seat at the table, the Farm Bureau came out opposed to the regulatory aspect of the FPR legislation in the House, effectively killing the bill for consideration next week. In the next few weeks, we are planning a joint hearing in the district with the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee on the FPR topic to vet what department will be administering the bill, and what definitions, if any, “odor” will have. Once we get the date and time of the hearing, we will announce it. The public is welcome to attend. Unfortunately, we will have to wait until we reconvene in the fall to advance the bill.
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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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