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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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Carlisle Girl Scouts Earn Government Badge
I was honored to participate in the Government Badge workshop for over 30 Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts at the VFW 477 in Carlise last night. The girls learned about the three branches of government, had a mock election on which Girl Scout cookie was the best. Adventurefuls won first place, with Caramel Delights coming in second. I had great questions from the group regarding my job and how the state impacts their lives.
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Heishman’s Mill Celebration
Yesterday, I joined the Friends of Historic Heishman’s Mill, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation of Natural Resources (DCNR), the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PAFBC), and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) in celebrating the completion of the Heishman’s Mill Canoe/Kayak Portage, which will facilitate safe passage for recreational paddlers and fishermen around the mill dam on the western Conodoguinet Creek.
The Heishman Mill Portage will provide paddlers and anglers with a safe point of access to this western section of the Conodoguinet Creek. It will now be possible to extend the Conodoguinet Water Trail 25 river miles west of its current western terminus at North Middleton Park. It will also help make the proposed Conodoguinet Greenway a reality. Congratulations!
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House GOP Elects Leadership Team for 2025-26 Session
With the 2025-26 Legislative Session set to begin Dec. 1, I joined my fellow members of the House Republican Caucus at the state Capitol this week to elect our new leadership team.
Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) is the newly elected Republican leader and previously served as Republican chairman of the House Education Committee.
Other members new to the leadership team include Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) as Appropriations Committee chair, Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) as caucus secretary and Rep. David Rowe (R-Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata) as House Republican Policy Committee chair.
Members returning to the leadership team include Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) as whip and Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) as administrator. Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia), who previously served as secretary, was elected caucus chairman for next session.
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PA DCNR 2024 Community Conservation Partnerships Program Fall Grant Awardees
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Community Conservation Partnerships Program is funded with a variety of state and federal funding sources, including the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key); the Environmental Stewardship Fund (ESF); the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) subject to National Park Service approval; the federal Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program Fund (PRT); the federal USDA Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Program (IRA); and the Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program (HA). Awardees in the 199th House District for the fall round include:
• Carlisle Borough, $100,000, to prepare a comprehensive recreation, park and open space plan for Carlisle Borough, Cumberland County. Work to include an electronic written report.
• Carlisle Borough, $463,700, to coordinate urban and community forestry in Carlisle Borough, Cumberland County; engage communities in planting trees and build local tree stewardship capacity. Work to include an electronic written summary report.
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New One-Stop PA Grant Search Tool
The Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience (CODE PA) launched a new resource on PA.gov that makes it easier for residents, businesses, non-profits, schools and local governments to find and apply to grant programs from state agencies.
State agencies distribute billions of dollars in funding each year through over 300 grant programs. Previously, information about grants was scattered across numerous agency websites, making it difficult for potential applicants to know what programs are available, whether they qualify, and how and when to apply for them. The challenge is particularly acute for small businesses and non-profits that may not have the resources to identify funding opportunities on their own.
The new discovery tool allows users to search for, sort, and filter information about grants based on the type of applicant (business, individual, non-profit, public agency, school, etc.), category, application deadline, location and other criteria. The search results include links to each program, including information on who the funding is intended for, the application process, key dates and deadlines, eligibility criteria, and where to apply.
CODE PA conducted extensive internal and external research to inform the design of the new grant discovery tool, including focus groups with over 100 external grant participants and employees in 24 agencies who administer grant programs.
The next phase of CODE PA’s work will focus on improvements to the existing Electronic Single Application (ESA), a shared platform that manages the application and administration processes for grants by multiple state agencies. The changes to ESA will improve accessibility and provide information in additional languages, ensuring that all Pennsylvanians can take advantage of these programs. CODE PA will also work to overcome technical challenges identified by grant participants and help to streamline the management of grant programs for Commonwealth employees.
Learn more about the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience at code.pa.gov.
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I-81 Construction This Weekend
PennDOT announced that a PennDOT maintenance crew in Dauphin County is scheduled to perform deck repairs this weekend on the northbound Interstate 81 (George N. Wade Memorial) Bridge spanning the Susquehanna River between Dauphin and Cumberland counties. Lane restrictions will be in place.
Weather permitting, this work will be performed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16, and Sunday, Nov. 17. The left and center lane of northbound I-81 will be closed between the Enola/Marysville and Front Street exit. The right lane will remain open.
This work may cause major delays. Travelers are advised to seek alternate routes.
Motorists should be alert and drive with caution through the work zone.
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New PA World War II Recognition Medal
Wreaths Across America, along with the PA Senate Committee on Military & Veteran Affairs, is pleased to announce that the development of the PA World War II Veterans Recognition Medal.
Any WWII veteran who resided in Pennsylvania during the time of their service in WWII is eligible to receive this medal. Medals will be presented to the WWII veterans at the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 14, beginning at noon at the Pennsylvania Veterans Memorial at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
In addition to the medal, a citation from the PA Senate, challenge coin and a Blanket of Honor will also be presented to the veteran. A luncheon to honor the veteran will be held immediately after the ceremony. WWII veterans who are interested in attending this event are asked to register. Please contact apadam@apadam.com for further details. At this point, there are no plans for posthumous awards.
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Heating Assistance Program Now Open
With cold weather knocking at the door, residents who struggle with their home heating bills are reminded they can now apply for assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service.
The income eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP are set at 150% of the federal poverty income level. For example, the gross income limit for an individual is $22,590 and for a family of four it is $46,800.
Residents may apply for LIHEAP online at compass.state.pa.us, by phone at 1-866-550-4355 or by contacting the County Assistance Office in their county of residence.
Click here for additional information. The program runs through April 4, 2025.
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DHS Warns of Potential EBT Cards Scam
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is informing Pennsylvanians of a potential text message scam targeting individuals who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The text claims the user’s EBT card has been deactivated and directs the user to call a number to reactivate it. This is a scam. DHS will never text an individual to say that an EBT card has been deactivated.
Please report any texts or calls about DHS benefits that seem suspicious by calling the DHS fraud tip line at 1-844-DHS-TIPS (1-844-347-8477).
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Upcoming District Office Closures
Our offices will be closed at noon beginning Wednesday, Nov. 27, through Monday, Dec. 2, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
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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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