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| The Barb Wire |
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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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Supporting PA Agriculture
Agriculture is our state’s top industry, contributing $132.5 billion to our state economy annually and supporting more than 593,000 jobs paying wages of $32.8 billion. As importantly, it helps put food on our tables every single day.
Recognizing the value of agriculture in our Commonwealth, this year’s state budget continues to fund key ag-related programs. It includes $34 million for agriculture preparedness and response to address costs related to the avian influenza outbreak or similar crises affecting our farmers.
Funding for the “agricultural excellence” line item is increased to $4.1 million with a portion of the increase directed toward the beef industry. Finally, the budget directs more than $26.6 million to the State Food Purchase Program, which helps counties purchase and distribute food to low-income individuals and families.
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Celebrating Agriculture at Ag Progress Days
Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, the Commonwealth’s largest outdoor agricultural exposition, will be held next week, from Tuesday, Aug. 13, through Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center, 2710 W. Pine Grove Road in Pennsylvania Furnace.
The event is hosted by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and showcases educational programs, current research and the latest innovations in agricultural equipment and technology. It features more than 400 exhibitors from the United States and Canada.
Both parking and admission are free. Learn more here.
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Hearings Highlight Successes in PA Education
The House Republican Policy Committee launched a series of three “Back to School” hearings this week to highlight good things happening in education.
The series kicked off Tuesday at the Centennial School in Bethlehem, located in Lehigh and Northampton counties. The school offers a unique program for students with emotional disturbance and autism, while also preparing high-quality special education teachers to enter the workforce in Pennsylvania.
The committee then met at the Mechanicsburg Area School District to highlight what public schools in Cumberland County are doing to provide a great education to their students while respecting taxpayers.
Common themes at the first two hearings include teacher shortages, especially those certified in special education, and addressing students' mental health. Accountability of school performance and finances is also at the forefront of these discussions.
A final hearing is planned for Tuesday, Aug. 13, at the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology in Jamison, Bucks County.
For video and other materials pertaining to the hearings, visit PAGOPPolicy.com.
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A Snapshot of the State’s Finances
House Republican Appropriations Committee Chairman Seth Grove has issued the first financial brief of the 2024-25 fiscal year. As with the previous fiscal year, this brief will keep track of revenues compared to the official estimate and to the prior fiscal year. It will also continue to track agency spending of current and prior year funds, as well as keep up-to-date information on General Fund and Rainy Day Fund surpluses. Check it out here.
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Pennsylvanians with Disabilities are ‘ABLE’ to Save with PA ABLE
This Wednesday, Aug. 14, is the first-ever National ABLE Savings Day! Our state’s PA ABLE program, like other ABLE programs across the country, gives individuals with disabilities a way to save money for the future without impacting important benefits like Medical Assistance (Medicaid) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
There are also great tax benefits for saving with PA ABLE, including:
• Contributions are deductible from PA state income taxes.
• Earnings and contributions grow tax-free.
• No taxes are owed for qualified withdrawals.
• Accounts aren’t subject to the state inheritance tax.
Pennsylvanians with a qualifying disability can start saving with PA ABLE today. There are seven savings and investment options to choose from. PA ABLE account owners, family and friends can contribute up to $18,000 annually to a PA ABLE account. The savings can be used to pay for a wide variety of disability-related expenses including rent, groceries, health care, vehicle adaptations, assistive technology and more.
To celebrate ABLE Savings Day, PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity, PA ABLE experts at the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, and ABLE experts from around the country are hosting free webinars to help everyone understand what ABLE programs are and how they can start saving.
Upcoming webinars include:
• Monday, Aug. 12, at 2 p.m.: ABLE Accounts 101.
• Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m.: Learn About PA ABLE.
• Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 2 p.m.: How Can Employers Promote ABLE as an Accessibility Tool?
• Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 2 p.m.: I Have an ABLE Account, Now What?
For more information about PA ABLE, visit PAABLE.gov or call 855-529-ABLE (2253).
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PennDOT Winter Maintenance Jobs Available
Individuals seeking seasonal employment can apply for a variety of winter maintenance positions now open through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
The program runs September through April and includes positions for transportation equipment operators, diesel and construction equipment mechanics, radio dispatchers, auto mechanics, tradesman helpers, semi-skilled laborers and tunnel maintainers. Individuals in these positions supplement the permanent workforce and have the potential to lead to permanent full-time employment.
Additional details about the positions, along with the job application, are available here and then go to “PennDOT Winter Maintenance Program.”
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The South Middleton Township Municipal Authority is Hiring
The South Middleton Township Municipal Authority is hiring operators and mechanics.
Water and Sewer Mechanic Advertisement
Water and Sewer Operator Advertisement
Employment Application
Please contact Josephine Hall at 717-258-6476 or jhall@smtma.net for more information. View positions on the website here.
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U. S. Army War College Class of 2025 Arrives
On Monday, it was my honor to welcome the U.S. Army War College’s Class of 2025 to the 199th PA House District at the opening ceremony!
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Eagle Scout Citation
On Saturday, Aug. 3, my legislative aide, Joshiah Jones, presented Alexander Michael Wolf a Pennsylvania House of Representatives citation in honor of him becoming an Eagle Scout during his Troop 171 Eagles Scout Court of Honor at Otterbein United Methodist Church.
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National Night Out
On Tuesday, the rain may have dampened the day but it did not dampen the spirit of National Night Out at the Carlisle Fairgrounds! It was great to see so many people come out and celebrate our community.
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Huntsdale State Fish Hatchery Tour
On Tuesday, my staff and I enjoyed participating in a rainbow trout spawning demonstration and facility tour of the Huntsdale Fish Hatchery with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
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AUGUST
• Telephone Town Hall
Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
If you do not receive an automated phone call asking you to join the call, you can dial-in at 877-229-8493 and use PIN: 118395 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
SEPTEMBER
• Ice Cream & Issues: Budget & Food Processing Residuals Update
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024
5:30-7 p.m.
Letort Park
260 East Pomfret St.
Carlisle, PA 17013
RSVP here.
Registration appreciated by Friday, Sept. 13.
• Farmers Breakfast
Friday, Sept. 20, 2024
9-11 a.m.
West Pennsboro Volunteer Fire Company
20 Park Road
Plainfield, PA 17081
RSVP required by Friday, Sept. 13
OCTOBER
• Fall Fair
Friday, Oct. 18, 2024
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Newville Lions Club Fairgrounds
433 Shippensburg Road
Newville, PA 17241
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with government and community service/resource providers to obtain information that may benefit them and their families. Light refreshments provided. Registration appreciated by Friday, Oct. 11.
• Concealed Carry Seminar
Friday, Oct. 18, 2024
2-5 p.m.
Newville Lions Club Fairgrounds
433 Shippensburg Road
Newville, PA 17241
This event will be held immediately following Fall Fair at the fairgrounds.
Registration required Friday, Oct. 11.
• Cumberland County 50+ Expo
Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Carlisle Expo Center
100 K St.
Carlisle, PA 17013
Come visit our table at the 50+ Expo, no registration required.
NOVEMBER
• Veterans Appreciation Breakfast & Expo
Friday, Nov. 1, 2024
9-11 a.m.
U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center
950 Soldiers Drive
Carlisle, PA 17013
RSVP required by Friday, Oct. 25
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Bonus Concealed Carry Seminar after Fall Fair
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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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