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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
This past week, the House convened on Sunday evening and Monday morning to pass one bill with regard to mass transit (SEPTA) to the Senate. More on that below.
It was great to attend Newville’s Ag Expo on the evening that the 2025 Ag Queen and Princesses were announced. Lizzy Baily and her team always do a great job coordinating that event along with the Lions Club. I look forward to working with the girls throughout the year.
CV Boys Volleyball State Champions visited the Capitol on Monday, and we were able to give a little history lesson while presenting them with citations for their awesome, historic win.
On Tuesday, I toured STRIVE at Penn State (Semiconductor Training and Research Initiatives for Veterans in Engineering) with the House Education Committee and the Penn State Board of Directors. This is the only facility in the nation making the parts needed for the semiconductor industry, and it is geared toward establishing a veteran pipeline for our security and energy sector.
On Wednesday, I was also up at Penn State for Ag Progress Days. This is a yearly event for legislators to meet with and talk to their Ag-related state entities to discuss multiple issues. The Farm Bureau, 4-H, FFA, the Beef Council, Conservation District and Extension were among just the few tables we visited.
Yesterday I received a DMVA RC Project Update – The National Guard project on Calvary Road in combination with North Middleton Township. Carlisle Events has been working with the project managers to keep their business flowing smoothly, and as of this writing that’s just what has happened. The pad for the new building should be completed in the next three weeks, then you will see the structure begin to take shape. Last evening, I had the pleasure of visiting the Farmers’ Market at New Kingstown, where I voted on the best tractors in the show and then counted the draw for the winners. Before redistricting, I helped with the startup of the market and from the looks of it, they have really taken off! Congratulations!
We had an uptick in FPR complaints this week, as well as senior issues at nursing homes. There was a hearing on the Big Spring warehousing issue held by DEP, which was moved out of our district to Penn Township. Many concerned citizens attended the meeting to speak with DEP about issues they have with the project, specifically whether best management practices are being used. DEP will consider comments when issuing final permit approval.
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Budget Delays Continue as House Considers Massive Transit Funding Bill
With the state budget more than six weeks past due, the House was called back to session in Harrisburg this week, but not to vote on a budget bill. Instead, majority House Democrats forced a vote on a transportation funding measure that would take more of our state sales tax revenue to fund mass transit.
While I recognize the value of mass transit, particularly in urban and some suburban areas of our state, I voted against this bill. In a difficult budget year such as this – when the governor has set out to spend far more than we anticipate collecting in revenue – we need to be looking at the full spending picture. We don’t really have a mass transit funding problem. You can look through the state transparency portal yourselves to see that there is existing funding for mass transit to the tune of $2.3 billion in the PA Transit Trust Fund. So why the focus on this issue when for the third time in this Governor’s tenure, we do not have a budget on time? Education, energy, infrastructure and our economic future are issues that need to be addressed as part of a comprehensive budget for the Commonwealth, and I look forward to the opportunity to vote on such a measure.
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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 watch the video above 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.
Click here for more information and tips on school bus safety.
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Headed to the Little League World Series? Check Out 511PA!
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is encouraging motorists traveling to the Little League World Series in Williamsport to plan their trip using the enhanced real-time travel and alternate-route information available on a specialized web page at 511PA.com/map/page/LLWS.
The website is dedicated to monitoring traffic conditions on the primary travel routes to the event, providing average travel times for those routes, as well as one or two alternates. Users will also see incidents, construction, traffic cameras and traffic speeds on the map.
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AG Launches ‘Operation Robocall Roundup’
Robocalls aren’t just annoying; sometimes they are illegal!
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General recently joined 50 bipartisan attorneys general in sending warning letters to 37 voice providers demanding they immediately stop illegal robocalls being routed through their networks. The companies are violating one or more rules outlined by the Federal Communications Commission.
Consumers should be mindful that providing your phone number to a legitimate business for its rewards program allows the business to place you on telemarketing lists without requiring further consent. Similarly, providing contact information when participating in online surveys or contests, or entering contests at fairs and other public events, may also result in future telephone solicitations.
The best way to reduce unwanted robocalls is to sign up for the Pennsylvania Do Not Call list online at attorneygeneral.gov/dnc or by calling 1-888-777-3406.
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Carlisle Parks & Recreation Fall Programs Open
Learn more here.
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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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