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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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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
This is the time of year - after an election - when all legislation dies and must be re-introduced under a new House bill number. It is quite time consuming for staff and the Legislative Reference Bureau.
I will not be moving my legislative offices, but many new faces will be moving into new offices and some old faces also are moving, so organization is key. There will be no Barb Wire during the Christmas week, as staff will take a much-needed break. Our district office will be open on Monday, Dec. 30, but closed to the public all other days until Monday, Jan. 6. The swearing-in ceremony will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at the Capitol. I want to wish everyone a happy, safe and blessed Christmas season…oh, and while we were working, Santa stopped in to say hello!
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District Office Case Work Update
Casework in the district office has been steady during the Christmas break. We worked on funding issues, PennDOT and Department of Environmental Protection issues and agriculture issues. I attended seminars on the Dobbs case and the Chevron case and stopped by the Army War College’s Christmas gathering to speak with Commandant David C. Hill and his wife.
I also attended the UPMC community update meeting and will be gathering information on its apprenticeship program. On Thursday, I gave a tour of the Capitol to the Army War College spouses and conducted a meeting with the House Labor and Industry Committee staff.
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Happy Chanukah!
Wishing you a joyful and light-filled Chanukah! May this festival of lights bring warmth, peace and happiness into your home. As we celebrate the miracles of the past, may we also find hope, love and blessings in our lives today. Chag Sameach!
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Celebrate Agriculture at 109th Pennsylvania Farm Show
The Pennsylvania Farm Show – the country’s largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof – kicks off Saturday, Jan. 4, in Harrisburg. The show will run through Saturday, Jan. 11.
This year’s theme is “Powering Pennsylvania,” which aims to highlight the vital role agriculture plays in the Commonwealth’s economy.
As always, the show will feature hundreds of competitions and exhibits, as well as animals and products related to the state’s robust agriculture industry. The annual showcase is a family-friendly event with lots to see and do; and don’t forget to stop by the famous food court for a taste of some Pennsylvania cuisine.
Admission to the show is free, but parking is $15 per vehicle. Shuttle service is provided.
For all the latest news about the Farm Show, follow it on Facebook or click here.
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Drone Sightings in the 199th District
The following is a message regarding drone sightings in Cumberland County from state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, Republican chairman of the House Transportation Committee:
The regulation of aircraft, airflight and airspace falls under the purview of the federal government. Drones, also referred to as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and states have very limited authority to regulate UAS operations. Generally, the federal government has exclusive authority over UAS operations while they are within airspace, and states have limited authority to regulate where UAS takeoff and landing occurs. Additionally, only certain federal entities have the authority to immobilize UAS while airborne, and Pennsylvania law enforcement is not permitted to incapacitate UAS within our airspace. If you would like to review current FAA policies and regulations on drones, please click here.
Pennsylvania does have two statutes which specifically address the use of UAS. Section 3505 of the Crimes Code prohibits a person from using an unmanned aircraft to conduct surveillance in a private place, using in a manner that could cause bodily injury or delivering contraband. Also, Section 305 of the Municipal Code preempts any municipal ordinance regarding the ownership or operation of unmanned aircraft. Here and here are the links to those two provisions.
Now, using common sense, the statutes above don’t really protect anyone if the drone has nefarious intentions, until after the fact. The Biden administration’s reaction and response has been nontransparent and less than adequate and has left the public with a concern for their own safety.
My general advice to callers has been that, if you recognize a drone, call your local police department and report it, in the hope that any additional resources the federal government has offered to the Pennsylvania State Police will be used (the federal government apparently has its own anti-drone technology).
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Looking for Summer Work?
PennDOT is looking to hire college students to supplement its permanent workforce from May through August.
The job typically entails seasonal maintenance work and sign upgrade services, maintenance and custodial services at roadside rest facilities, and laboring and flagging duties in maintenance organizations and highway worksites.
To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be 18 years of age, enrolled in college for the next semester, and have a valid Pennsylvania driver's license.
The hourly rate is $17. Interested applicants should contact my office before Friday, Jan. 17, and also apply online here.
Non-student summer positions may also be available.
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License Your Dog in 2025
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is reminding dog owners to license their pets for 2025.
All dogs three months of age and older are required to be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year. Dog owners may choose to purchase single year licenses or a lifetime license, if their dog has some form of permanent identification, such as a microchip or tattoo.
Single year licenses cost $8.70, while lifetime licenses cost $52.70. Senior citizens or people with disabilities may purchase a single year license for $6.70 or a lifetime license for $36.70.
Licenses are available for purchase through county treasurers. For additional information, including links to forms and a list of treasurers and their contact information, click here.
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Emergency Programs Can Save Lives
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is reminding residents of two voluntary programs aimed at saving the lives of residents in emergency situations. Participation in both programs is free of charge.
Under PennDOT’s Yellow Dot program participants fill out the program form with emergency contact, medical contact and medical information, insert it in the program’s folder and then place it in their vehicle’s glove compartment. A yellow dot sticker affixed to the rear window alerts emergency responders to the availability of information to help them provide better care to crash victims.
The Emergency Contact Information program offers Pennsylvania driver’s license and PennDOT-issued ID holders the opportunity to log into a secure database and list two emergency contacts. Participants can update their records as needed, but only law enforcement officials can view the information in the system. In the event of an emergency, law enforcement can use a participant’s ID to find his or her emergency contact information.
The Yellow Dot program is used only in vehicle crashes, but the Emergency Contact Information program can be used in other emergencies as well as crashes.
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PennDOT Driver License Centers will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 25, for Christmas Day and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, for New Year’s Day. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.
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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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