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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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2026-27 State Budget Enacted
On Sunday, July 12, the Legislature passed the 2026-2027 State Budget. I voted against the annual spending plan of $52.2 billion. The media and much of the Legislature will tout that it’s only a $50.8 billion budget, but, they conveniently left out the deferred Medicaid payments, one-time special fund transfers, and one-time gimmicks in other claw backs from reserve accounts. That deferred payment will also happen for next year’s budget, meaning instead of a $50.8 billion floor, you will see the floor begin at $53.5 billion next year.
Hardworking Pennsylvanians in our district don’t have the luxury of spending more than they bring in, and what makes it more egregious is that they leverage your money, increasing the structural deficit for future generations to deal with. We need to get serious about cutting costs like eliminating waste, fraud and abuse, and bringing our budget in line with revenue.
One thing to note for the taxpayer. The Gaming Fund is estimated to bring in $2.31 billion in 2026-2027. Of that amount, only half will go to offset property tax bills, due to monies being funneled to other line items in this year’s budget. Pennsylvanians were sold on casinos under Gov. Ed Rendell with the promise that they would provide real property tax relief, which I have fought for along with many of my colleagues. This is not right. I refuse to bankrupt the next generation or raise taxes on the people, increasing the affordability crisis that already exists and actually taking away from the one fund that most see as a means to relief.
I was glad the overall budget doesn’t touch the Rainy Day Fund, which is meant for emergencies like major flooding or storms. The Rainy Day Fund isn’t meant to be used to close a budget gap. I was also glad the food processing residuals (FPR) bill was negotiated into the fiscal code, along with data center transparency. Some $10 million was added for career and technical education, although that number could have been higher given our region gets very little from an increase in basic education due to the current school funding formula. In all, we must do better.
Click here to view my remarks on the budget passage.
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FPR Regulation Bill Passes as Part of Fiscal Code
House Bills 586 and 587 were adopted in this year’s fiscal code in the budget. These two bills were the culmination of five years of work to regulate food processing residuals being spread as a form of fertilizer on local farms.
The legislation was sponsored by Democrat Rep. Paul Friel, who also participated in monthly meetings for a year with me, along with all stakeholders ,to write regulations that would work in practice. I want to mention former Rep. Paul Schemel, Sen. Judy Ward, Sen. Doug Mastriano and Agriculture & Rural Affairs Minority Chairman Rep. Dan Moul, as well as Kerry Golden, manager of Department of Policy & Legislative Services staff, whose initial help five years ago was instrumental in the effort to get people to the table.
Too often it’s the last people into the mix that get the credit for such a fight as this one. As I wrote in a social media post, this wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for the people calling into the Department of Agriculture and my office to oppose the practice. I commend everyone in my district who brought awareness to the issue and now, we can look ahead to its implementation and expansion through the state conservation district. I will be writing more on the meat and potatoes of the bills in a press release next week.
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Overnight Paving Operations to Close I-81 Ramps Near Carlisle in Cumberland County
PennDOT recently announced that upcoming overnight Interstate 81 ramp closures and detours will be implemented to complete paving near Carlisle in Cumberland County. The work limits for this project are from Mile Marker 47 just north of the Hanover Street (Route 34) Exit in South Middleton Township to Mile Marker 52, just north of the Route 11 Exit in Middlesex Township.
Weather permitting, the crews will continue working Sunday through Thursday nights. All ramp work will be conducted from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM:
• Sunday, July 19: Southbound I-81 ramp to northbound and southbound Route 11 at Exit 52 (Ramp D) will be closed for paving. An overnight detour will be implemented using southbound I-81 to Exit 49 for Route 641 East to northbound I-81 to northbound and southbound Route 11.
• Monday, July 20: Northbound Route 11 ramp to southbound I-81 at Exit 52 (Ramp A) will be closed for paving. An overnight detour will be implemented using northbound I-81 to Route 114 West to southbound I-81.
• Tuesday, July 21: Southbound Route 11 to southbound I-81 at Exit 52 (Ramp E) will be closed for paving. An overnight detour will be implemented using southbound Route 11 to Route 34 South to southbound I-81.
• Wednesday, July 22: Route 74 (York Road) ramp to southbound I-81 at Exit 48 (Ramp N) will be closed for paving. An overnight detour will be implemented using northbound Route 74 to westbound Route 641 (High Street) to southbound Route 34 (Hanover Street) to southbound I-81.
• Thursday, July 23: Southbound I-81 ramp to PA 641 at Exit 49 (Ramp U) will be closed for paving. An overnight detour will be implemented using southbound I-81 to southbound Route 34 (Hanover Street) to northbound I-81 to northbound Route 74 (York Road) to eastbound Route 641.
• Sunday, July 26: Northbound I-81 ramp to Route 74 (York Road) at Exit 48 (Ramp O) will be closed for paving. An overnight detour will be implemented using northbound I-81 to southbound Route 11 to southbound I-81 to westbound Route 641 to southbound Route 74.
This project consists of asphalt resurfacing, asphalt patching, minor drainage improvements, guiderail updates, line painting, sign updates, structure repairs, and other miscellaneous construction.
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2026 Pennsylvania Defense & Innovation Summit
I was honored to attend the Defense & Innovation Summit that occurred this week on the War College grounds, which U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick organized and President Donald Trump attended. There were over 156 defense-related businesses, universities, military and entrepreneurs showcasing their efforts to bring next generation defense manufacturing to Pennsylvania.
President Trump and Sen. McCormick announced an additional $10 billion investment in PA and plans to expand the Philadelphia port into a ship manufacturing hub. More than 1,500 good-paying, sustainable jobs are expected to be added right here in our central region.
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Culvert Work This Weekend on SB Route 11 Near Carlisle in Middlesex Township
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has announced that work is scheduled on a culvert on southbound Route 11 in Cumberland County this weekend.
Work includes replacing a concrete slab on a culvert on southbound Route 11 at the southbound Interstate 81 off-ramp to southbound Route 11 in Middlesex Township near Carlisle.
Weather permitting, this work will be performed from 9:00 PM Friday, July 17, to 5:00 AM Monday, July 20. The two right-hand lanes of southbound Route 11 will be closed. The left lane will remain open.
Due to the lane closures on southbound Route 11, the Interstate 81 southbound off-ramp to Route 11 southbound will be closed. A detour will be in place. Travelers should continue south on I-81 to Exit 49 (Route 641/High Street), exit at Route 641 then return on northbound I-81 to southbound Route 11.
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Thank you to Those who Attended Recent Ice Cream & Issues
Thank you to everyone who attended our Ice Cream & Issues event at North Newton Township Park. I appreciated the opportunity to speak with constituents about recent developments in Harrisburg and to hear firsthand about the issues impacting our community. Key topics of discussion included the state budget, food processing residuals, and Interstate 81.
Our next Ice Cream & Issues event will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at North Middleton Township Park. I look forward to another productive conversation and hope to see you there.
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PennDOT Seeking Workers for Winter Maintenance Program
While we are still feeling the summer heat, PennDOT is preparing for cooler temperatures by gearing up for its winter maintenance program.
Positions available may include CDL equipment operators, mechanics, dispatchers, tradesman helpers and semi-skilled laborers. The positions pay between $17.73 per hour to $28.94 per hour. The winter maintenance program runs from September through April.
Anyone wishing to apply should visit employment.pa.gov and go to the PennDOT Winter Maintenance Program posting.
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Enjoying the Great Outdoors!
July is Outdoors for All Month in Pennsylvania, and no matter where you live in the Commonwealth, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy it!
Pennsylvania is home to 125 state parks and millions of acres of forestland, as well as county and local parks that provide everything from active adventures to peaceful walking trails and picnic areas.
Find your favorite activities or a nearby park or forest by visiting the outdoor recreation section of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website.
Looking for an event to attend this weekend? The National Wild Turkey Federation Michaux-Yellow Breeches Chapter is hosting a Jakes and Mentor Day at the Newville Fish & Game on Saturday, July 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is for Jakes (17 years and younger) as well as novice hunters of any age.
Attendees will receive instructions on various aspects of hunting turkeys.
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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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