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| The Barb Wire |
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| #Listrak\DateStampLong# |
The latest news from the State Capitol |
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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 Session Update:
On Monday, the Health Committee, for the SECOND time, re-referred three women in sports bills to the Judiciary Committee. You can read more about that in the article below.
The voting schedule was short; however, I voted yes to changes to safety cable usage; yes to prohibiting the manufacture, sale, delivery and possession with intent to deliver tianeptine, or ‘gas station heroine;” no to creating the Pennsylvania Promise Program (estimated cost $1 billion); yes to chip-enabled EBT cards to enhance security; and yes to the Radiation Protection Act, which was negotiated with the nuclear power plant utilities to create a fund for any potential cleanup of sites.
On Tuesday, I met with a conglomerate of public cyber and brick-and-mortar charter school board members and administrators, as well as 15 private school advocates who were clearly concerned for their students. In the Education Committee, along party lines, the Democrat members voted out the most heinous assault on students in the Commonwealth that I have seen in all eight years of being in the Legislature. They wanted to cut another $250 million from charters, after already cutting in the previous two years up to $280 million, which would shut down many doors to the most vulnerable in our state; and a separate bill would eliminate the very popular EITC (Educational Improvement Tax Credit) program that allows businesses to supply scholarships to students who want to attend a private school. This program helps the poorest and most vulnerable population and some middle-class families as well. In total, over 180,000 students would be affected. House Bill 2632 is a very bad bill for PA students. It flies in the face of the state providing a thorough and efficient form of public education, and eliminates most school choice options for parents at a time when our schools are struggling to maintain academic standards in general. Instead of concentrating on a poor ‘fair’ funding formula that needs to be fixed, Democrats and their stakeholders push to keep kids in failing schools.
On Wednesday, I attended a joint Human Services and Aging committees hearing on a new pilot program that aims to save money for seniors. I also attended an informational meeting through the Commerce Committee regarding stablecoin and how it may be used in the future. I attended a Zoom meeting on the Christian economic view of policy through the Family Foundation, and we voted on many crimes and offenses reform bills.
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Majority Democrats Playing Hot Potato with Women’s Sports Bills
The saga continues for our efforts to pass bills to protect fairness in women’s sports.
In late April, the House Judiciary Committee re-referred two of the three bills (House Bills 158 and 1849) to the House Health Committee. Earlier this week, the Health Committee sent both House bills, along with Senate Bill 9, back to the Judiciary Committee.
Together, the three bills have been available for consideration in the House for 1,016 days. That’s two years, nine months and 10 days of majority House Democrats refusing to give citizens and their representatives a voice on this topic.
Polls indicate 80% of people, regardless of political party, support women’s sports being for biological women only. Athletic competitions give women the opportunity to demonstrate their strength and skill, while also providing opportunities for recognition ranging from accolades to college scholarships. We owe it to our female athletes to ensure these rights and opportunities are protected.
Join us in support of this effort by signing the “I Believe” promise at defendingdaughters.com.
Please click here to view my remarks on the re-referrals.
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Protecting Against Image-Based Sexual Abuse
The state House unanimously approved legislation last week to expand penalties for the nonconsensual sharing of real or AI-generated intimate images.
Specifically, House Bill 2252 would ensure accountability for offenders regardless of their relationship to the victim, broaden the definition of intent to cover knowing or reckless distribution, and establish a tiered penalty structure that reflects both the severity of harm and the offender’s intent. The existing law only applies when the perpetrator is a current or former intimate partner of the victim and acts with the intent to harass or annoy.
The measure was also amended to establish enhanced penalties for those who create child sexual abuse materials that depict a child, stepchild or other relative.
House Bill 2252 now moves to the state Senate for consideration.
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Natural Gas Impact Fees Help Local Communities
In addition to supporting the state’s growing energy needs and providing good-paying careers, Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry contributed more than $243.8 million in impact fees in 2025.
Under Act 13 of 2012, impact fees are collected from natural gas drilling companies with 60% returned to counties and municipalities affected by drilling. The rest of the money goes into a Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund, a portion of which is provided to counties. The remaining funds are used by the state for emergency response planning, training and other activities; water, storm water, and sewer system construction and repair; infrastructure maintenance and repair; as well as statewide environmental initiatives.
Click here to view detailed reports of the funding distribution.
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Fun for All Ages Awaits at PA Fairs
Summer is in full swing, and so is Pennsylvania fair season! Communities across the Commonwealth are hosting dozens of fairs featuring food, fun and entertainment, as well as competitive exhibits highlighting animals, produce, crops, crafts, baking and more.
Fairs and festivals in the 199th District include:
• Newville Fountain Festival from June 19-20
• Carlisle State Fair from June 26 to July 4
• Carlisle Summerfair from June 26 to July 5
• Newville Lions Club Community Fair from July 9-11.
• Upper Frankford Fireman’s Fair from July 16-18.
• North Newton Township Freedom Festival on Aug. 1
To plan your fair visit, check out the 2026 PA Fair Guide here.
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Kids Fishing Derby in Carlisle
Get your rods ready! The 17th Annual Kid’s Fishing Derby is coming up on Saturday, June 20, at LeTort Park in Carlisle. Hosted by the Fraternal Order of Eagles #1299, this fun-filled community event invites young anglers to enjoy a morning of fishing and outdoor adventure.
Kids can participate in one of three age groups: 2–5, 6–10 and 11–15. Sign in runs from 8-9 a.m., and the derby will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration is completely free, and awards will be presented for each age category as well as for the event’s overall biggest fish.
Participants should bring their own rods, tackle, and bait. The derby will take place rain or shine.
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Prevention of New World Screwworm in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture recently issued a quarantine order limiting animal movements and urged Pennsylvania farmers and pet owners to tighten biosecurity to protect their livestock and pets following heightened risks of New World Screwworm (NWS). Although no cases have been detected in the Commonwealth, the parasite has recently reappeared in parts of the southern United States.
New World Screwworm larvae feed on living tissue and can have a significant impact on livestock and wildlife. While the parasite is unable to survive the winter temperatures in Pennsylvania, it could still enter the state through animals that have been infected during the warmer months.
The quarantine establishes movement restrictions and enhanced animal health requirements for susceptible domestic animals entering Pennsylvania from affected areas. The order includes provisions for veterinary inspection, animal health certification, and preventative measures designed to reduce the risk of NWS entering the Commonwealth through animal movements.
Animal owners, producers, veterinarians, transporters, and others moving susceptible animals should consult the quarantine order and work with state or federal animal health officials to ensure all applicable requirements are met before movement.
Anyone who suspects an NWS infestation should immediately contact their veterinarian and report the suspected case to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services at 717-772-2852. Prompt reporting is essential to protect Pennsylvania’s livestock, pets and wildlife.
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Entries Accepted for PA Agriculture Photo Contest
Pennsylvania agriculture is at the heart of our communities, and now is your chance to showcase it!
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is accepting entries for its 2026 Agriculture Photo Contest celebrating the people, places and traditions that make Pennsylvania agriculture important. Participants may submit up to four photos in the categories of On the Farm, PA Fair Season, Agritourism and Conservation.
Finalists will be featured on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Facebook page for public voting, and winning photos will be displayed in the Capitol in September. Submission deadline is June 30. Click here for more information.
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PGC Seeks Entries for Art Contests
Are you an artist with a love of the outdoors? The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) is seeking entries for two art contests: the Waterfowl Management Stamp Contest and the Working Together for Wildlife Art Contest.
Entries for the stamp contest must feature one of five eligible species: Bufflehead, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Redhead or Canada Goose. The winning artwork will be printed as the 2027 Pennsylvania Waterfowl Management Stamp and fine art print.
For the Working Together contest, the featured category is shorebirds. Qualifying submissions must include at least one of various types of shorebirds in an original, full-color horizontal or vertical painting. The artist whose painting is selected for the 2027 Working Together for Wildlife fine art print series will receive $5,000, plus 25 artist proof prints.
Participants must be Pennsylvania residents. For additional details and official rules for each contest, click here.
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Ice Cream & Issues
You are invited to attend an Ice Cream & Issues discussion I’m hosting on Wednesday, July 15, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at North Newton Township Park located at 528 Oakville Road, Shippensburg. The event will provide brief updates from the State Capitol and an opportunity to discuss topics of concern to you. I hope you will join me for conversation and complimentary ice cream.
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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