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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
I started the week meeting in Sen. Greg Rothman’s office with Attorney General Dave Sunday and discussing issues that matter to our district. Human trafficking is a concern we will be working on going forward. I then met with multiple constituents throughout the day and ended with representing our area at the Adams Electric annual dinner. It was great to see so many of you from the western end of the county.
On Tuesday, I had the honor and pleasure of meeting with Paula Scanlon, a UPenn swimmer who was forced to dress in a locker room, and compete against, a male competitor. We discussed the issue of protecting women in sports and advancing fair and safe competition. The rest of the day entailed multiple policy and local issue work. I was at the Capitol on Wednesday with three school tours, and a press conference on purple star school districts that help military students settle into our region as they move around the country. The rest of the day involved multiple education meetings to advance legislation.
We had an early start on Thursday at the Huntsdale Fish Hatchery, where we loaded trout for stocking and also received a yearly legislative briefing from the secretary of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. We also participated in an EITC scholarship presentation from the Bridge Educational Foundation, and I toured Rock City Learning Center in Harrisburg.
Today is busy as well with a ribbon cutting in Carlisle for Hungry Run Distillery. I also have a policy interview with CBS21, and then I will be attending the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference this evening and tomorrow. Back to a session week next week, where in-depth discussions will be happening around the budget, food processing residuals, apprenticeships, broadband contracts and more. Find a report on the Big Spring historical bridge meeting below.
A final note on expanded rent rebates: The governor expanded the eligibility of rent rebates; however, he failed to give his departments expanded capacity to serve those who apply. The Department of Aging has decided it can no longer process them because it does not have the staff to do it, and it has been giving people our offices as a resource. Ironically, our office has less staff than the department does. We are more than happy to help; however, we are going to ask that you make an appointment first, so we can accommodate you.
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Big Spring Historic Bridge Issue
I found out that PennDOT and an engineering company were having a meeting at the Newville Borough office regarding a project that is on the district TIP list (PennDOT’s list of impending projects slated for this region). What I found out was typical government bureaucracy is heading our way because Newville is in ACT 47. The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) worked with borough stakeholders to help them enhance their historic tourism outreach, emphasizing places like the Big Spring Newville Bridge, which appears on almost every borough mug and T-shirt. PennDOT, not knowing this, has the bridge slated for demolition, with new bridge renderings and possible work-arounds given they have had to repair it six times in nine years. As a taxpayer, you must be thinking that the repairs can’t possibly be as expensive as a brand new bridge that allows tractor trailers to navigate Newville, and you are probably right. However, after several phone calls, we are working on saving the bridge and rectifying the miscommunication between government agencies. I will be giving updates on this issue soon.
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EITC Funds Awarded
Yesterday, the Bridge Educational Foundation, through the support of M&T Bank, Malady & Wooten, and WM, donated $49,000 of EITC scholarships to the families in Cumberland County, including families at St. Patrick Catholic School in the 199th.
Scholarship funds are made possible through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program.
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St. Patrick Catholic School Visits the Capitol
It was a pleasure to welcome students from St. Patrick Catholic School to the Capitol on Wednesday!
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The Trout Are Stocked
Thursday, I was at the Huntsdale Fish Hatchery loading trout for stocking and also received a yearly legislative briefing from the Secretary of PA Fish and Boat Commission.
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Trout Season Opens Tomorrow!
Good luck to all the anglers heading out this weekend for the opening day of trout season on Saturday, April 5. For everything you need to know about fishing in the Commonwealth, including licensing and stocking information, visit fishandboat.com or check out the FishBoatPA mobile app.
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Voter Registration Deadline May 5
Pennsylvanians who are not already registered to vote but wish to participate in the May 20 municipal primary election should be sure to register no later than Monday, May 5.
To be eligible to vote in the primary, you must be a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the election; a resident of the election district in which you register to vote for at least 30 days before the primary; and at least 18 years of age on or before the date of the primary.
Under state law, only voters registered as Republicans or Democrats may vote for candidates in the primary election.
Citizens may register to vote online here or visit your county voter registration office. Not sure of your registration status? Check it here.
Voters who prefer to vote by mail-in or absentee ballot have until May 13 to apply for the ballot and until 8 p.m. on May 20 to return it. For more information, click here.
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Boost Your Financial Literacy
April is Financial Literacy Month, a reminder that it’s never too early – or too late – to learn more about managing your finances.
Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including personal financial management, budgeting and investing. When you are financially literate, you have the essential foundation for a smart relationship with money.
Learn more about the building blocks for managing and growing your money here.
Financial education resources for students are available here.
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PBDA Accepting Applications for Program to Provide Laptops
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) has announced the application period is open for the second round of its Digital Connectivity Technology Program.
The program provides laptops for use by eligible public-facing institutions such as libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations and other community anchor institutions that can offer internet access to individuals who otherwise lack the technology.
More than 9,000 laptops were distributed in the first round of the program late last year. It is funded through the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Online applications can be made through the PBDA website.
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Are You Prepared for the Next Storm?
Many people across the state have recently been affected by severe weather, including heavy rain, hail, high winds and even tornadoes.
In addition to the safety risks brought on by this kind of weather, many people also lose power in their homes. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency has some valuable tips for preparing yourself for a power outage. Check it out here so you’re ready for the next storm.
To stay on top of the latest weather forecast or other emergencies in your area, consider signing up for CodeRed alerts here. You can choose to receive alerts by phone, text or email.
Stay informed to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe!
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South Middleton is Hiring!
South Middleton Township is hiring a recreation program coordinator.
The application deadline is Friday, April 11, and can be found by clicking here.
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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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