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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
Food Processing Residuals Update: I began the week by meeting in my district office with representatives from seven county farm bureaus. The PA Game Commission made a presentation, as did the USDA farm bureau liaisons and representatives from the PA Department of Agriculture. The discussion turned somewhat heated when the topic shifted to food processing residuals (FPRs), which have been an issue in our district for at least four years while the farm bureaus are still caught up in the proper language of legislation.
The new bills are House Bill 586 and House Bill 587.
Farmers across the midstate are concerned that continued misuse of the FPR manual language by one or two farmers in the region is tarnishing the integrity of all farmers. My office is now receiving multiple calls from Fulton County, which is starting to experience the same smell and practices that we have been dealing with for four years.
If you have a complaint, please call the PA Department of Environmental Protection at 866-255-5158. You can also call the PA Farm Bureau at 717-761-2740.
Budget Appropriations Hearings: The Department of Human Services’ section on aging testified Tuesday and I am on that committee.
On Wednesday I attended the Navy JROTC’s 10th annual Military Review and Parade Ceremony at Chambersburg High School as part of their manager’s inspection. Many military- related stakeholders, superintendents, state representatives, parents and grandparents were on hand to watch more than 120 students’ drill team exhibitions, inspection and awards ceremony. The students were absolutely amazing and will most likely go on to win state and national recognition. Thank you to Ret. Senior Naval Science Instructor Bruce A. Apgar, Jr. CDR USN and state Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin) for the invitation to attend.
Also on Wednesday, I drove to Harrisburg and managed to make it in time to watch the Big Spring Middle and High School Choirs perform. If you have never had the opportunity to hear a GREAT choir sing under the Capitol Rotunda dome, you’re missing out on a memorable sound. We were able to get a group photo on the grand steps. Thank you for visiting our state capitol and gracing us with your beautiful gift of music.
On Thursday, I attended a public hearing in Newville, where borough officials are requesting funds from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) under Act 47 bankruptcy laws. The meeting went well with the following items listed in their application:
• Home rule study.
• Monetization of the water/sewer system.
• Independent auditor to continue through 2026.
• Big Spring connector study.
• Parking study.
• Ordinance codification.
• Grant audit if awarded (customary upon receiving any grant over $100,000).
DCED does have a budget and can amend the application or approve as is. The department testified that the borough’s application and plan is aligned with the law under Act 47.
Also on Thursday, I was honored to receive an appointment to the State Council on Interstate Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3) by House Republican Leader Jesse Topper. Military-related issues have arisen that relate to the transfer of military student GPAs within the state. Since the U.S. Army War College is in our district, we see issues which arise and warrant state involvement.
· Chambersburg NJROTC 10th Annual Military Review
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Budget Hearings Conclude
Energy costs, planned prison closures and growth in human services spending were among the topics addressed during the final week of budget hearings at the state Capitol this week.
During a Monday afternoon hearing with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), members of the House Appropriations Committee pressed officials with questions about the impact of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed energy policies on consumers and the stability of the electric grid. PUC officials also responded to concerns about federal funding for expanding broadband internet service in unserved and underserved areas.
Earlier in the day, members questioned the Department of Corrections about the impact of plans to close four facilities, including SCI Rockview in Centre County and the Quehanna Boot Camp in Clearfield County, as well as community corrections centers in Berks and Greene counties.
During a day-long hearing Tuesday, members questioned the Department of Human Services about significant growth in expenses, preventing theft of SNAP benefits, dealing with maternity care deserts and more.
Also testifying during hearings this week were representatives from the Pennsylvania Treasury and the Office of the Budget.
The governor proposed a $51.47 billion budget last month, representing a $3.57 billion (7.5%) increase over the current fiscal year. The proposed spending increase is significantly more than the anticipated $1.3 billion revenue increase.
Video and highlights of each completed hearing are available here.
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Free Admission Sunday at Several State Museums for Charter Day!
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) will celebrate the Commonwealth’s 344th birthday on Sunday, March 9, with free admission to several of the state’s museums and historic sites.
Pennsylvania was established when England’s King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn in March 1681. The 344-year-old charter, often referred to as Pennsylvania’s birth certificate, is written on parchment using iron gall ink. The Pennsylvania State Archives preserves the document in a high-security vault, shielding it from strong light and environmental fluctuations.
The 1681 charter will be on display on Sunday, March 9, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Pennsylvania State Archives facility, 1681 N. Sixth St., Harrisburg.
The following state-owned historic sites near the 199th House District will offer free admission that day as well. They include:
• Ephrata Cloister, Ephrata
• Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, Lancaster
• Pennsbury Manor, Morrisville
• Pennsylvania State Archives, Harrisburg
• Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg
• State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg
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Free Tax Filing Resources Available
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is reminding taxpayers of free online tools and resources it offers to help people seamlessly file their tax returns.
Roughly 2.1 million Pennsylvanians are eligible this tax season to use Direct File, an online tool offering taxpayers the option to file their federal and state tax returns at no cost directly with the IRS and Department of Revenue. It is the first time the program is being offered in the Commonwealth.
Direct File is currently designed for Pennsylvanians with common tax situations. The IRS offers an eligibility checker that will walk you through the steps to see if you’re eligible.
Taxpayer service and assistance is also available through the department’s Online Customer Service Center, which contains answers to hundreds of common income tax questions and allows taxpayers to securely submit a question to the department. Taxpayers may also call 717-787-8201 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for state tax assistance. In-person assistance is available at Department of Revenue district offices.
Click here for additional information. The tax filing deadline is April 15.
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Be Aware of Tax Season Scams
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is again warning taxpayers about tax season scams. They’ve identified the “dirty dozen” most common scams for individuals, businesses and tax professionals.
They include phishing scams via email or text, bad social media tax advice, fake IRS individual online account help, fake charities, false fuel tax credit claims, credits for sick leave and family leave that are no longer available, bogus self-employment tax credits and ghost tax return preparers, among others.
Click here to learn more about these scams and how to protect yourself. And remember, the IRS will never contact you using social media or text message. The first contact from the IRS usually comes in the mail. Taxpayers who are unsure whether they owe money to the IRS can view their tax account information at IRS.gov.
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Spring Ahead: Turn Clocks Ahead One Hour This Weekend
Daylight saving time will begin on Sunday, March 9, at 2 a.m. Be sure to turn your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night before going to bed.
This is also a good time to check and/or change batteries in both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. It is also recommended the alarms be replaced every 10 years.
As you adjust to the time change, PennDOT is reminding drivers to beware of drowsy driving. Driving while you are tired can make your driving worse than if you have been drinking alcohol. If you work shifts, you need to be careful that you are not too sleepy to drive. And if you are drowsy, pulling over and taking a 15-minute nap is long enough to lower your risk of a crash. Learn more here.
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$2,000 Dennis Lavery Memorial Grant-in-Aid Annual Scholarship
This grant-in-aid is open to students who reside in the following municipalities: Carlisle Borough, Dickinson Township, Lower Frankford Township, Middlesex Township, North Middleton Township, South Middleton Township, Upper Frankford Township and West Pennsboro Township.
Applicants also must be:
• Students who reside in one of the above townships.
• May, 2025 graduating high school students who are enrolled in an accredited college, or students who are currently enrolled in an accredited college with a 3.0 GPA, majoring in library science, education, journalism, communications, or English.
• Registered for at least 12 credits.
Family members of the Friends Board or Board of Trustees of Bosler Memorial Library are not eligible for this grant.
Click here to download the application.
The application deadline is May 1. Completed applications can be emailed to friends@friendsofbosler.org
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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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