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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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Ag Progress Days
This week was Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, the Commonwealth’s largest outdoor agricultural exposition held in State College. We held a joint informational meeting with the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee to discuss Partnerships in Agriculture:
“A Sweet Investment in On-Farm Conservation.” The meeting consisted of testimonies from The Hershey Company, State Conservation Commission, PA Director and Agriculture Program Director Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Natural Resources Conservation Services, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a farmer from Land O’Lakes. One highlight was the rating increase for the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
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Farmland Preservation in the 199th!
Last week the Department of Agriculture announced that the Farmland Preservation Program has added 2,752 acres on 31 farms in 14 counties, bringing the total number of permanent conservation easements on 6,423 Pennsylvania farms up to 642, 006 acres across the Commonwealth.
Congratulations to David, Rachel and Rebecca Hershberger in Hopewell Township who own a 122-acre crop and livestock operation in the 199th District!
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Food Processing Residuals Update
It has been four weeks since we heard revisions were requested to the House legislation by the PA Farm Bureau. Since that time, members of the working group convened over a three hour zoom call to work through discrepancies. I questioned mixed use FPR, in other words, what happens if the farmer or manufacturer places manure in the FPR tank – does the law automatically go to the FPR guidelines for best management practices, or does it pivot to the manure management plan? I stood my ground on this issue, and argued that anytime protein-based FPR is used, the guidelines would go to the extended FPR plan. We are waiting for an updated legislative package, where there will be two pieces of legislation, one for the hauler brokers, and one for the farmer and their LAS plan, kept at the state conservation offices and provided to the local conservation districts. There is also a hearing scheduled for Oct. 17 in State College for more discussion, hosted by PennAg. The House reconvenes on Sept. 23, and my colleagues and I will be pushing to have this legislation ready for a vote in both the House and the Senate as soon as possible. Please keep communicating your concerns on this issue.
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It’s Back to School Time
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Keeping Kids Safe in School
This year’s state budget continues to invest in school safety with $100 million allocated for school safety and mental health grants, as well as $20.7 million for targeted school safety grants, which are provided to nonpublic schools and to municipalities and law enforcement agencies to fund programs to address school violence.
Under the law, each school district that submits an application for a school security and mental health grant will receive a noncompetitive grant of $100,000, plus a proportional amount based on the school district’s percentage of the adjusted average daily membership for all school districts for the most recent year available. Each intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter school, regional charter school, or cyber charter school that submits an application will receive a noncompetitive grant of $70,000.
To further boost safety, starting in the upcoming 2024-25 school year, each school entity is required to have one full-time school security personnel with firearms training on duty during the school day. Schools may also use their School Safety dollars for pouches for cell phone deposit in each classroom.
These initiatives will help ensure our children can focus on learning when they are at school.
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Slow Down for School Buses
Students are or soon will be returning to class, and that means we will be seeing school buses back on our roads. Motorists, parents and children are encouraged to refresh their memories about how to share the road safely.
Pennsylvania law requires motorists to stop at least 10 feet away from school buses when their red lights are flashing and their stop arm is activated. This applies to motorists when they are behind or traveling alongside a school bus, as well as when meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus has stopped.
Vehicles should remain stopped until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm is withdrawn. Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.
If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping.
Penalties for failure to obey school bus safety laws can result in a $250 fine, five points on a driving record and a 60-day license suspension. Violators will also be assessed a $35 surcharge to be deposited into the School Bus Safety Grant Program Account.
Parents are reminded to ensure their children are at the bus stop early to avoid rushing. Students should stay where the bus driver can see them while boarding or exiting the bus.
Click here for more information and tips on school bus safety.
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‘Back to School’ Scams Target College Students
The Federal Communications Commission is warning college students to be on alert for scammers seeking to capitalize on the busy academic season.
Such scams may be harder to spot alongside legitimate fundraisers and other efforts that genuinely seek to assist students and their parents. Top student scams include scholarship, tech support, and roommate and rental scams. Campus scammers aren't just using cold calls or robocalls to hijack personal information; they're also sending deceptive emails and text messages that appear to be official.
Things for students and their families to keep in mind:
• You are not required to make loan payments over the phone.
• Student scams are not limited to the start of the school year; be mindful of scams year-round.
• Never provide personally identifiable information over the phone, including Social Security numbers, bank account and routing numbers, and credit and debit card numbers.
• Be sure to keep any student loan information guarded, as scammers tend to target students with loans.
• Monitor your financial records and bank account information closely and often.
• For more information on how to avoid phone scams and other unwanted calls or texts, visit fcc.gov/robocalls.
If you’ve been the target of unwanted calls and spoofing or other matters, you are encouraged to file a complaint with the FCC. Click here for details.
I will add that we have received calls regarding UBER double charging people, so watch your bank accounts.
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Attention Hunters: DMAP Permits Now Available
Pennsylvania hunters may now purchase Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) permits on an array of public and private lands.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) is offering 7,000 DMAP permits on 41 game lands encompassing more than 360,000 acres. View PGC’s available DMAP areas here.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is offering 30,328 permits in 101 units totaling more than 1.3 million acres. View DCNR’s available DMAP areas here.
Permits are also available on participating private lands. The goal of the program is to help landowners better manage the deer population and habitat on their properties.
DMAP permits cost $10.97 for Pennsylvania residents and $35.97 for nonresidents. They can be purchased from any license issuing agent or online at huntfish.pa.gov. Hunters must identify the DMAP unit number when purchasing a permit.
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Retirement Citation
I was honored to present a Pennsylvania House of Representatives citation at the monthly meeting of the Concerned Citizens of Carlisle to Mike Perry, for his retirement as former president and chief executive officer of the Army Heritage Center Foundation, concluding a 48-year career. Thank you for your service, Mike!
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Happy 75th Anniversary Exchange Club of Carlisle!
Since 1949, The Exchange Club of Carlisle has been serving our community with excellence and integrity. On Tuesday, my legislative aide, Josiah Jones, presented them with a Pennsylvania House of Representatives citation recognizing their great work over the years.
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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
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.
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.
We have invited 150+ local, state and federal agencies, as well as community organizations, and currently have approximately 30 confirmed attending with more signing up every day! Confirmed attending so far:
Carlisle Area Family Life Center
Carlisle Family YMCA
Community Connections for Children
Congressman John Joyce
Cumberland County Conservation District
Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities
Cumberland County Office of Veterans Affairs and Services
Cumberland County Planning Department
Cumberland County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court
Cumberland County Treasurer's Office
Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland & Perry Counties
Firearm Owners Against Crime
Keystone State Challenge Academy
Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians/LAMP
MidPenn Legal Services
PA Attorney General's Office
PA CareerLink Cumberland County
PA Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
PA Department of Treasury
PA Dept of Health
PA Game Commission
PA Public Utility Commission
Pennsylvania Counseling Services
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
Safe Harbour
United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County
Bonus Concealed Carry Seminar after Fall Fair
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.
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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| 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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