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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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Barb’s Update
On Monday, the session week started with a meeting in Sen. Greg Rothmann’s office to meet Adj. Gen. John Pippy and discuss National Guard issues. A House Education Committee voting meeting included seven bills up for a vote, including reduction of the GPA required to become a certified teacher, capping certification fees, increasing the intern certification for CTE teachers, including veteran service experience for CTE certification, and updating the teacher certification levels to grades 1-6, and then 6-12. You can see my remarks on the first initiative here.
Rep. Grove, Rep Bernstein and I, along with the National Independent Businesses and the Chamber of Commerce rolled out a series of bills to make the Unemployment Compensation system fair and solvent, in a press conference. My first bill clarifies the definitions of willful misconduct and voluntary quit, and my second bill would strengthen the requalification requirements for those workers who engage in willful misconduct and perpetual voluntary quit. A link to that press conference is here.
After the voting session concluded, I held a telephone town hall for my district. I want to thank everyone who participated because the dialogue was educational. Overwhelmingly, and understandably, property taxes and taxes in general were the main topic of the town hall. People need relief from the tax environment in PA. Healthy PA packages, education and trucking were just some of the other topics discussed.
On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of legislators rolled out the Healthy PA package of bills. I am a co-sponsor and participated in a committee hearing associated with the bills. This initiative attempts to codify federal initiatives to ban harmful food dyes, preservatives and additives from our food, particularly school lunches. It also bans BHA, a human carcinogen, paraquat, incentivizes cover crops and declares August as Wellness Month.
Also on Tuesday, my staff attended a meeting at the National Guard facility related to their upcoming expansion project off Calvary Road. Later that evening, I attended the 100th birthday celebration and presented a citation to World War II veteran, Dr. Lee Burcham.
On Wednesday, I attended a joint Adult Services Committee/Health Committee hearing to discuss the lack of nurses' aides and workforce needs for the aging population. Training CNAs has been on my radar since I was elected, and we thought we had this problem solved; however, the issue is so split between multiple agencies, the statute changes we needed never occurred. The departments of Health, Aging and Education all have a piece of training and qualifying nurses' aides, and this effort needs to be consolidated under one department. We also questioned the third party the administration uses to complete training, as we had a high rate of cancellations for the first five months of the year.
Yesterday, I attended a caucus informational meeting regarding gestational and genetic adoption processes within the state and met with several constituents to resolve state issues surrounding rent rebates, tax returns, PennDOT issues and aging in my district office.
I need to correct the record on information we sent in last week’s Barb Wire. We mentioned that we flipped burgers during Blessing of the Baler’s Day for the National Cattleman’s Beef Association, and it was on behalf of the PA Beef Council.
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FFA Banquet Time
Last Friday, I attended the Cumberland Valley FFA Banquet and last night I attended the Big Spring FFA Banquet. Congratulations to all of the degree recipients on every level and thank you to the outgoing officer teams. We are blessed in the 199th District with robust agricultural programs that school boards, administrators, teachers and parents support.
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Primary Election Day Tuesday, May 20
This Tuesday, May 20, is primary election day. Voters will have the opportunity to choose their party’s candidates for vacancies on the Commonwealth and Superior courts, as well as for a variety of municipal positions.
Voters who have chosen to vote by mail-in or civilian absentee ballot must have those ballots back to their county Board of Elections no later than 8 p.m. on election day.
Otherwise, voters may cast their ballots in person at their local polling place. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Additional information about in-person voting is available here.
Only voters registered as Republicans or Democrats are eligible to vote for candidates in the primary election, unless you reside in a community where a special election is taking place or a referendum is on your ballot. Check with your county elections office for details about what is on your ballot. For comprehensive information about the state’s elections, visit vote.pa.gov.
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Democrat Initiative Would Weaken Election Integrity
Ensuring integrity and trust in our election system is vital to the survival of our democracy. Unfortunately, both took a hit this week when the House, on a party-line vote, passed several Election Code changes that would be costly while doing nothing to improve voter confidence.
House Bill 1396 would establish a permanent mail-in voting system that sends unsolicited ballots to voters in perpetuity and mandate the establishment of drop boxes across the Commonwealth.
The bill would require both 30 days of mandatory drop boxes (with 24-hour surveillance and daily ballot removal), as well as 10 days of in-person early voting (staffed for at least eight hours daily), in every future election and on the counties’ dime. Counties would receive only a $60 million bond issuance for equipment.
For the second week in a row, majority House Democrats rammed through major legislation without providing adequate time for input by affected parties, especially county elections officials who would have to implement the measure.
Elections are too important to rush a vote on changes that will likely do more harm than good.
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Policy Committee Discusses Efforts to Cut Costs, Create Commerce
As working families and small businesses across Pennsylvania continue to grapple with inflation and economic uncertainty, House Republican policymakers are calling for transformational tax reforms to provide immediate relief and long-term growth.
The House Republican Policy Committee last week hosted a hearing in Adams County focused on pro-growth tax policy solutions, including expanding Net Operating Loss (NOL) carryforwards and ending Pennsylvania’s Accelerated Sales and Use Tax, that would allow small businesses to invest, grow and create jobs.
The committee heard from Stephen Kelly, senior associate, government affairs, Commonwealth Foundation; Isaac Bucher, owner and operator, Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum and Candy Emporium; and Robin Fitzpatrick, president, Adams Economic Alliance.
When businesses aren’t weighed down by burdensome taxes and unpredictable regulations, they innovate, hire and expand. If we want Pennsylvania to be competitive, we must listen to what Pennsylvania businesses are asking for and enact meaningful, permanent tax relief.
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Supporting Our EMS Providers
Next week, May 18-24, is National EMS Week, an opportunity for each of us to recognize and extend special thanks to the men and women who answer the call every day to help save lives. This year’s theme is “We Care. For Everyone.”
Caring for everyone, though, carries a significant cost. Here in Pennsylvania, more than four dozen emergency medical services (EMS) providers closed their doors since the start of 2023, often due to a shortage of funds, personnel or both.
We all tend to take it for granted that when we call 9-1-1, someone will be there to help. As we mark EMS Week this week, think about how you might be able to help your local ambulance company keep its doors open and keep saving lives.
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Armed Forces Day Saturday
This Saturday, May 17, is Armed Forces Day, a day set aside to recognize and honor the men and women who are currently serving in a branch of our armed forces.
The day was first celebrated in 1950, soon after the branches of the military were united under the leadership of the U.S. Department of Defense. In his proclamation marking the day, President Harry S. Truman called upon fellow citizens to “display the flag of the United States at their homes on Armed Forces Day and to participate in exercises expressive of our recognition of the skill, gallantry, and uncompromising devotion to duty characteristic of the Armed Forces in the carrying out of their missions.”
In other words, seek out opportunities to thank our men and women in uniform, not just this Saturday but every day.
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Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. By consistently following safe driving and riding practices and sharing them with others, all motorists can help reduce the number of motorcyclist fatalities on America’s roads.
The following are safe driving and riding practices that all road users – vehicle drivers and motorcyclists alike – should follow to help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our roadways:
• Observe all traffic laws and always obey the speed limit.
• Drive and ride alcohol- and drug-free.
• Avoid distractions while driving or riding.
• Drivers should yield to motorcyclists, especially while turning at intersections.
• Motorcyclists should wear high-visibility protective gear.
One other significant step that motorcycle riders can take toward promoting road safety for all motorists is completing a rider education and training course. Please visit pamsp.com to learn about Pennsylvania’s free motorcycle training courses.
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Fish for Free Coming Up Next Weekend!
On Sunday, May 25, 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 the first of two dates set by the PFBC to enhance fishing opportunities. The next day is Independence Day, Friday, July 4. This is a great way to expose the next generation of anglers to the outdoors. More information about fishing in Pennsylvania is available here. fishandboat.com.
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Memorial Day Celebrations in the 199th House District
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Upcoming Office Closings
Our offices will be closed this month next Tuesday, May 20, for Primary Election Day and again Friday, May 23, and Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day weekend. Please call 717-249-1990 to make an appointment if you require assistance.
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Upcoming Events
Click here to register.
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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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