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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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Barb’s Update
This was another busy session week, highlighted by a vote to allow death benefits for coroners’ families. I was able to meet with Cumberland County Coroner Charlie Hall prior to the vote, which resulted in House Bill 569 being passed by the House Labor and Industry Committee. We also debated fair pay and expansion of workplace violence laws.
Please click here to view a recording of the meeting.
I met with FFA members, career and technical education students, and representatives from Point Park University who were advocating for shared security services at schools. I unfortunately missed our Cumberland Valley High School cheerleaders being honored for their state championship due to speaking on a bill of which I’m the prime sponsor. House Bill 354 (“What’s Your Pennsylvania Story”) would request the Department of Education provide guidelines to social studies teachers on the 250th anniversary of our nation.
I met with the Department of Aging in Harrisburg this week to talk about their its funding issues. I also served on a panel at the Realtor’s Association legislative breakfast discussing housing and cyber security issues, in addition to meeting with a professor from Dickinson College and members of the Penn State Extension.
Finally, after attending a meeting Thursday evening, I learned that the historic Newville Bridge may be getting some tender loving care due to a federal grant. We are wrapping up the week with a ribbon cutting for History on High, constituent calls and meetings, and a meeting on Bitcoin legislation.
I introduced these two pieces of legislation this week:
Credit Transfer and Grade Point Average Policy for Children of Military Families
House Bill 1069 would require school districts to accept and incorporate grade point averages associated with transferred credits for children of military families. This policy ensures educational continuity and fair academic assessment for military children who frequently relocate due to their parents' service obligations.
Dissolution of Power from the U.S. Department of Education to the States
House Resolution 146 would urge Congress to fully cooperate with federal efforts to eliminate the United States Department of Education, thus reaffirming Pennsylvania's sovereign authority over its educational system and recognizing the need for state-led education solutions to improve outcomes for Pennsylvania students.
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House Education Committee Advances Bill to Protect Women’s Sports
I joined my colleagues, Reps. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) and Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton/Union), in applauding the Senate Education Committee for moving forward with legislation that protects fairness in women’s sports. The Save Women’s Sports Act would protect female athletes in Pennsylvania so they can compete on a level playing field.
As a co-prime sponsor of House Bill 158, I have been a strong advocate for maintaining the integrity of women’s and girls’ athletics. Biological males should not be allowed to compete in female sports. Doing so puts young women at a disadvantage, whether on the field or in the race for scholarships and other athletic opportunities.
This is not the first time the General Assembly has advanced this bill. In past sessions, it passed both chambers, only to be vetoed by the governor. I am committed to continuing the fight to make sure our daughters have the fair and safe competition they deserve.
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Future Farmers of America Breakfast
It was great to spend time with members of the Big Spring FFA (pictured with me), Cumberland Valley FFA and Shippensburg FFA at their leadership conference Tuesday in Harrisburg. More than 600 FFA students attended the conference from all over the state. They studied the legislative process and heard why government takes so long to enact legislation.
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Cumberland Perry Vo-Tech Visits the Capitol
These students from Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center have a bright future ahead of them. Thank you for visiting the state Capitol on Tuesday and sharing your current and future plans. Don’t forget that my office can help with letters of recommendation.
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Provisions of President Trump’s Executive Order “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.”
You may have seen coverage of the elections and voter registration executive order put out by President Donald Trump this week. You can read the full order is here.
Below is a summary of the executive order for your information. The order:
• Directs the Election Assistance Commission to, within 30 days, update the national mail voter registration form to document proof of citizenship and proper recording of such by state and local registration officials.
o For purposes of the order, proof of citizenship includes:
• A U.S. pPassport.
•A REAL ID-compliant identification.
•An official military identification card indicating citizenship.
•A valid federal or state-issued photo identification if such identification indicates U.S. citizenship or is otherwise accompanied by proof of U.S. citizenship.
o This requirement is forward-looking for new and updated registrations and not for currently registered voters.
•Directs the secretary of Hhomeland Ssecurity and secretary of Sstate to provide access to state and local officials to relevant federal databases that can be used to verify citizenship or immigration status of those registering or registered.
•Directs the Department of Homeland Security and DOGE to audit current voter registration lists for compliance with federal requirements.
•Directs that each voter registration agency under the National Voter Registration Act must assess citizenship prior to providing a voter registration form.
•Directs the United States attorney general to coordinate with state attorneys general to assist in review and prosecution of unlawfully registered aliens.
•Directs the attorney general to take action against states permitting the receipt of absentee or mail-in ballots after Election Day.
•Directs the attorney general and secretary of the Ttreasury to prioritize enforcement of laws prohibiting political donations and lobbying by foreign nationals.
•Conditions certain federal election funding on compliance with provisions of this order.
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New Online Petition Center for Taxpayers to File Appeals
A new online platform is now available for Pennsylvania taxpayers who are filing an appeal or submitting a request for a refund with the state Department of Revenue.
Key features of the new Online Petition Center include a more user-friendly, intuitive interface; a tracker feature to allow taxpayers to follow the status of their petition; improved security and accessibility; and simpler terminology to streamline the process.
The new Online Petition Center also involves a transition to the Keystone Login account management system, meaning users will need to sign up for a new username and password to access the new system. Click here to learn more about how to register for a Keystone Login account.
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Checks are in the Mail for Money Match Program Recipients
The Pennsylvania Money Match initiative, which automatically returns certain unclaimed property from the state, is disbursing more than $1.7 million to its rightful owners this week.
According to Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, 7,380 checks are being issued in this first round of the Money Match program. In May, as many as 40,000 additional checks could be issued to single owners of unclaimed property valued at up to $500, following a thorough identification and verification process.
This program was made possible by the bipartisan passage of Senate Bill 24, which was signed into law as Act 81 of 2024.
Pennsylvanians are encouraged to check the state’s unclaimed property database for any property valued at more than $500 that may be owed to them. A more formal claim process must be followed to have that property returned.
You need not pay anyone to help reunite you with property that belongs to you. For assistance with an unclaimed property claim call (800) 222-2046.
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New Turnpike Texting Service Launched
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) has officially launched a new text messaging service, offering customers real-time communication during unexpected traffic backlogs.
This service is free, available 24/7 and designed only for PA Turnpike customers experiencing unexpected backlog. By texting “info” to 47676, drivers receive automated, location-specific information about the incident, anticipated clearance times and roadway updates.
Here’s how it works: While at a complete stop in a location where it is safe to remain stationary, through hands-free devices and voice command, or through a passenger in the car, text “info” to 47676. Users will be walked through prompts to verify their backlog location using GPS. Once confirmed, the service provides automated updates every 15-20 minutes, including what happened, how long it will take to clear and other roadway updates. Texts stop after an incident clears. To reactivate the service for a new incident, text 47676 again. This is not used for daily commuter traffic or constructed-related delays.
Turnpike officials also remind drivers that Paul Miller’s Law goes into effect in June, prohibiting the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving. Drivers are expected to follow this and all other applicable laws and regulations related to the use of mobile devices in vehicles.
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Honoring Vietnam War Veterans
March 29 is National Vietnam War Veterans Day, but thanks and honors for these warriors will continue throughout the year, as 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of when the last U.S. personnel were evacuated from Vietnam.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that today there are between 6 million and 7 million U.S. Vietnam veterans throughout the world. In Pennsylvania, this number is nearly 217,000 Vietnam-era veterans.
The state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is reminding the men and women who served during the Vietnam War and all veterans of the services it provides, including assistance with locating lost military documents, particularly their DD Form 214, which is vital when it comes to receiving the benefits they deserve. Learn more by visiting the DMVA website.
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Digital Connectivity Technology Program Webinar and Breakout Session
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PDBA) is hosting a webinar in anticipation of opening the second round of the Digital Connectivity Technology Program. The webinar will provide an overview of the program, review FAQs and implement breakout sessions focusing on libraries, non-profits, workforce, and education. Each breakout session will include an awardee from round 1 of the program who will provide background on their project and highlight the key elements that contributed to their success.
You can find additional details for the Wednesday, April 2, webinar by clicking the link below. PBDA will be recording this session to post on their its website. Please click here to register.
Along this topic, Republican members of the House Labor and Industry Committee held a roundtable discussion Thursday. Although projects funded through the PBDA are subject to the PA Prevailing Wage Act, the PA Department of Labor and Industry has refused a request to create prevailing wage job classifications specific to the telecom industry. They are using the electric lineman classification, which applies to electric line construction.
This will increase the cost of individual projects and reduce the number of homes and businesses that will be connected through federal broadband development programs. I’ll have more information on this subject in the next Barb Wire.
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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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