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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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Session Week Update
Be careful about reading a bill headline and assuming it has the same meaning. Such was the case with House Bill 1678, which was debated heavily in the House. The heading would imply that seniors would get property tax relief if the state imposed a new tax on digital ads.
First, you can’t tax your way out of debt or property taxes either. Most property tax elimination efforts have been a dollar-for-dollar shift from eliminating one while increasing another to offset the revenue. Although being messaged differently by the Democrats, the bill is effectively a freeze. It imposes a 5% gross receipts tax on the sale of digital ads and claims to take the revenue as an offset to property-owning seniors over the age of 65.
After reading the policy, you’ll see you only get back the difference between your school property tax liability and what you paid at age 64. There are no stipulations for how money is distributed when demand exceeds funding availability, which is estimated at $500 million in today’s economy. I asked if the $500 million would be distributed evenly among the state’s 500 school districts, and the bill does not speak to that. The Department of Revenue would likely prorate each eligible claim. The bill is poorly written and clearly being used for propaganda purposes, especially if some receive the offset while others don’t receive anything, which is unconstitutional.
Over the years, the PA government has never delivered on promises to eliminate property taxes through the various gaming increases. As a matter of fact, multiple bills take from that fund to give to others in the form of “grants” to nonprofits - pet projects - while taxpayers foot the bill. Now they want another tax, promising relief with no mechanism to make sure it is fair and can’t be raided, not to mention revenue derived from digital ads is already subject to corporate net income tax. This means the proposed bill would tax the same activity twice. Finally, as stated by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, “The federal Internet Tax Freedom Act (“ITFA”) prohibits states from imposing discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce.” For all the above reasons, more than 60 of my colleagues and I, all of whom are familiar with the language, voted no.
In the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee meeting, I opposed House Bill 1611, a 104-page omnibus bill that would gut and replace the Older Adult Protective Services Act. It provides a process for the reporting and investigation of abuse of older adults, expands background check requirements for applicants of facilities, creates older adult fatality review teams and requires financial institutions to report suspected financial exploitation.
The behemoth bill lacks many policy agreements and stakeholder-suggested changes; however, the banking section is close to agreement. House Republicans suggested we move forward with the section that was mostly agreed to and continue working on the other sections in a separate bill. The legislation passed out of committee along party lines.
The House Labor and Industry Committee highlight of the week was House Bill 2014, which would fix a long-standing situation for junior firefighters who are allowed to work on scene but aren’t allowed to travel to that scene. It would also extend the hours they could remain in the firehouse to 10 p.m. with parental permission. This was my favorite bill of the week because it actually fixed a government issue.
The House Education Committee had the worst bill of the week with House Bill 1602, which would continue Democrats’ march to eliminate Pennsylvania’s cyber charter schools. After two sessions of cuts to cyber schools to the tune of more than $300 million, they decided to eliminate them through regulatory means. As committee Chairman Pete Schweyer stated, “Cybers are ours to regulate as we see fit,” apparently even if it closes them down or targets students. More than 65,000 students go to cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania, most for safety reasons; however, the chairman decided that all cyber school parents abuse their children, and out of an abundance of caution, these students “shall” have their monitors turned on at all times, “shall” take weekly benchmarks and pass them and “shall” have weekly wellness checks (or face elimination of funding).
This bill would only apply to cybers charters that were not affiliated with an Intermediate Unit, or a public school cyber, which obviously violates the separate but equal clause of the constitution. I was gaveled down for calling the bill “the bully bill,” because data shows most of the students who leave public school had been bullied. Now, through this bill, if they don’t do what the state says in their instruction, they will lose their school. This just sounds like more bullying. No other school in the state or nation tells a student they will be given an unexcused absence if they don’t meet academic benchmarks. Parents and their children should be allowed the choice of what is best for their educational journey, and I support students over systems.
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Bill to Expand Prescription Drug Repository Passes House
To minimize waste and improve access to medications for those in need, I recently joined a unanimous vote in the state House for legislation to expand our Cancer and Prescription Drug Repository Program.
Under House Bill 69, both healthcare facilities and individuals would be able to voluntarily donate unused prescription drugs (other than cancer drugs) to the program. The program would ensure safety by requiring donated drugs to meet strict criteria before being accepted under the program.
The existing Cancer and Prescription Drug Repository Program was created in 2008 to help low-income cancer patients receive access to life-saving medications. The proposed expansion is similar to laws already in place in 44 other states. House Bill 69 now heads to the Senate.
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Much More Than Bikers
It was an honor to speak at Monday's annual Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) rally in Harrisburg. The group, organized in 1983, is dedicated to protecting the individual rights of motorcyclists through political change, charitable works, and public education (in addition to promoting motorcycle awareness).
ABATE is divided into nine districts with 48 local chapters including the Blue Mountain, Highlanders, Keystone, Mason Dixon, Monterey Pass, Patriot Riders and Ridge Runners chapters here in District 6.
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Lehman-View Properties Added to Pennsylvania’s Growing List of Preserved Farms
Lehman-View Properties, a 173 acre dairy farm in West Pennsboro Township, is joining Pennsylvania’s growing list of preserved farms. The State Agriculture Land Preservation Board recently approved the protection of 1,775 acres on 22 farms across 16 counties.
With this addition, Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program has now safeguarded 6,726 farms totaling more than 667,000 acres in 58 counties, thus continuing the Commonwealth’s strong commitment to protecting agricultural land for future generations.
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Awesum Possum Lake Trail Adventure
What an honor it was last weekend to visit the Awesum Possum Lake Trail Adventure in memory of Steve Fealtman. Steve was a proud U.S. Marine, dedicated Friends of Opossum Lake Conservancy board member and true outdoorsman who poured his heart into Opossum Lake.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the race and to the conservancy for hosting such a meaningful event.
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Congratulations Graduates!
Congratulations to the Class of 2026. Graduates from Big Spring, Cumberland Valley, Carlisle Area, Boiling Springs and Shippensburg Area school districts, as well as Carlisle Christian Academy, have reached an important milestone, reflecting years of dedication and achievement.
As these students move forward to pursue higher education, careers, military service or other opportunities, I commend their hard work and wish them continued success.
Congratulations to all our graduates on this significant accomplishment!
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Marking Women Veterans Day
Today, June 12, is Women Veterans Day, marking the 78th anniversary of the 1948 Women’s Armed Services Integration Act.
While the law allowed women the right to permanently serve in the regular armed forces, women served in America’s wars and conflicts long before it took effect. According to the U.S. Veterans Administration, women played vital roles in the Revolutionary War, and more than 400 women fought in the Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. In World War I, about 35,000 women officially served, and by World War II, 350,000 women served in a variety of roles.
In Pennsylvania, drivers have the opportunity to further this recognition by purchasing an “Honoring Our Women Veterans” license plate, now available for passenger cars and trucks, as well as motorcycles. A portion of the cost for the plates goes directly into the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Trust Fund, which provides grants to organizations that serve veterans in need.
For more information about Women Veterans Day, click here.
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2026-27 Hunting Licenses Available Soon
The first day to purchase your 2026-27 Pennsylvania hunting and trapping licenses, as well as resident antlerless licenses for all Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), is Monday, June 22.
Like last year, all resident hunters are guaranteed an antlerless license in any WMU in the first round, as long as they are purchased prior to July 13. There is no need for hunters to wait in line, as you’ll have 21 days to get your guaranteed antlerless license.
One antlerless deer license per hunter can be purchased per round in the first three rounds. More information is available here.
Licenses are available for purchase online at huntfish.pa.gov or in-person at license issuing agents. Click here for a map of agents across the Commonwealth.
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Celebrate Flag Day
Sunday, June 14, commemorates the adoption of the United States flag. Since a 1916 proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson, this date has been marked as “Flag Day.” Congressional legislation designating that date as national Flag Day was signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1949.
From 13 stars to 50, the American flag has been a symbol of freedom and liberty throughout the world. To learn more about the history of the American flag, click here.
To learn more about how to treat the flag and how to display it, read the United States Flag Code here.
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Office Closures for Juneteenth
My offices as well as PennDOT driver license and photo centers, including the Riverfront Office Center in Harrisburg, will be closed Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth National Freedom Day.
Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services website, dmv.pa.gov.
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Telephone Town Hall
You are invited to take part in a telephone town hall meeting I’m hosting this Wednesday, June 17. Shortly before 5:30 p.m. that evening, you will receive a recorded message inviting you to remain on the line and participate in a discussion of state and local issues.
During the call, I will provide updates on recent developments at the state Capitol and answer questions on a variety of topics. You may stay on the line for as long as you wish; however, the event will conclude at 6:30 p.m.
To ensure that you receive an invitation, please register your name here. I look forward to speaking with you on Wednesday, June 17.
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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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