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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
Session week in Harrisburg began with a House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee informational meeting to examine a bill which would limit scams on the elderly by putting a temporary hold on bank accounts until a quick investigation could take place. One of the testifiers said allowing simple information sharing could help. We know seniors are targets for scams and many have lost their life savings, so the discussion was insightful.
I also met with stakeholders on the food processing residual bills, which are currently being amended. These amendments are making the bills better from a policy standpoint, and I am grateful the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, as well as House staff, are engaged. The bills are slated to run in the House on Wednesday, April 23. Along those lines, Tuesday was Farm Bureau Day, and I met members of the Cumberland County Farm Bureau and listened to Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding speak at a luncheon. We passed controversial bills out of the House Commerce Committee, including one which deals with a new method of cremation called alkaline hydrolysis.
On Wednesday, I joined a House Labor and Industry Committee meeting when another controversial bill was voted along party lines on the subject of misclassification. You can see my comments here.
After session, I had multiple meetings on bills I am working on in Harrisburg.
On Thursday, my staff loaded up my schedule with meetings every 30 minutes throughout the day to catch up in my district office. One of those meetings was related to the Historic Newville Bridge.
On Friday, I toured Bethany House, met with representatives from PennDOT to discuss work in my district, and visited a local food bank.
On Tuesday, I met with faculty members from Messiah University, as well as a group of about 30 graduating seniors who wanted to discuss how they can best interact with the General Assembly in their soon-to-be roles as teachers. They were also interested in finding ways to advocate for issues that are important to them. I also attended the annual Pennsylvania Farm Bureau luncheon.
I helped the Hungry Run Distillery cut the ribbon on its new location in downtown Carlisle last week. Welcome!
It was my honor last Saturday to serve as keynote speaker at the 228th Motor Transportation Battalion, 213th Regional Support Group’s “Drive to Victory Ball.” Thank you all for your service and your hospitality!
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More Farmland Saved
The State Agriculture Land Preservation Board voted this week to preserve more than 3,100 acres on 29 farms in 17 counties, protecting them from future residential or commercial development. The Farmland Preservation Program now includes 6,529 farms and more than 651,000 acres across the Commonwealth.
Congratulations to Gordon and Amy Holl, owners of a 600-acre crop farm in Lower Mifflin and Upper Frankford townships in the 199th!
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Get Ready for REAL ID
The deadline for enforcement of the federal REAL ID Act is less than a month away.
As of May 7, federal law will require you to present a federally accepted form of identification to board a commercial domestic flight or visit a secure federal building that requires ID at the door. Federally accepted forms of identification include a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a U.S. passport or passport card, or a military ID.
While all Pennsylvanians must comply with the new law, obtaining a state-issued REAL ID is not mandatory. PennDOT will continue to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs for those residents who do not want or need one. If you’re not sure, PennDOT is offering the REAL ID online wizard to help you decide.
In light of growing reports of long lines and limited hours at the state’s driver license centers, House Republican leaders have called on the Shapiro administration to expand evening and weekend hours to ensure those who choose to obtain a REAL ID are served more efficiently. PennDOT is currently offering a series of dedicated REAL ID Days on Mondays at many driver license facilities. Check the schedule here.
To learn more about REAL ID and how to obtain one, visit penndot.gov/REALID.
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Expanded Call Center Hours for Late-Season Tax Filers
As the deadline for filing 2024 Pennsylvania personal income tax returns nears, the Department of Revenue is extending customer service hours in its call center to provide additional phone assistance to taxpayers. The deadline is April 15.
Taxpayers can call 717-787-8201 to connect with the Department of Revenue's Customer Experience Center (CEC). Extended hours will be:
• Through Friday, April 11: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, April 12: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Monday and Tuesday, April 14-15: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Assistance is also available through the department's Online Customer Service Center and through the department’s district offices.
The department is also reminding taxpayers of free filing resources, including myPATH and Direct File.
For more information, visit the Department of Revenue online.
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Heating Assistance Program Extended Through April 18
While the cold weather is finally waning, residents who are struggling with their home heating bills are reminded they can still apply for assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through next Friday, April 18.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service.
The income eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP are set at 150% of the federal poverty income level. For example, the gross income limit for an individual is $22,590 and for a family of four it is $46,800.
Residents may apply for LIHEAP online at compass.state.pa.us, by phone at 1-866-550-4355 or by contacting the County Assistance Office in their county of residence.
Click here for additional information.
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Easter Egg Hunts in the 199th this Weekend
Saturday, April 12
• Carlisle East Side Neighbors Association will host its Easter egg hunt at Biddle Mission Park on E. North Street at 2 p.m.
• The Meeting House Church in both Carlisle and Dillsburg will host its Easter egg hunts from 1-3 p.m. There will also be games and activities. To register, visit the church’s website at www.tmh.church/kids.
• The Middlesex Township Egg Hunt will take place at 10 a.m. at Middlesex Township Park, 50 Beagle Club Road, Carlisle. The event is rain, snow or shine.
• Newburg First Church of God and Hopewell Township will host Easter at the Park at Hopewell Township Park on Route 696 from 2-4 p.m. There will be activities, snacks and egg hunts for children ages 1-4, 5-7 and 8-12.
• North Middleton Township will host its Easter Egg Hunt at 1 p.m. at Village Park, 1830 Suncrest Drive, Carlisle. The hunt is for children up to age 10, and representatives from Bosler Memorial Library will also be present. The event is held rain or shine. In the event of rain, there will be a “drive-thru” for Easter bags.
• South Middleton Township Parks and Recreation will host its Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. at Spring Meadows Park Pavilion No. 5. The Easter bunny will be in attendance for the hunt, which is for children aged 2-8.
Sunday, April 13
• South Fairview First Church of God will host its Easter egg hunt at its 1212 Centerville Road church in Newville at 10:30 a.m. The event will start with an Easter story, snacks, games and crafts in the all-purpose building before the egg hunt begins at 11:30 a.m. for children up to 12 years of age.
• Bethel Assembly of God on the Holly Pike in South Middleton Township will host its Easter Candy Scramble at 3 p.m. for children aged 12 and younger. The event will be held rain or shine and there is no need to register in advance.
• Barnitz Church, 23 Church Lane, Carlisle, will host a Community Easter Egg Hunt starting with registration at 1 p.m. and egg hunts at 1:15 p.m. The egg hunts are open to all children up to fifth grade.
• The Shippensburg History Center, 52 W. King St., Shippensburg, will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt at 1 p.m. for children aged 12 and under. There will be two areas marked for the egg hunt - one area for children aged 7 and younger and the other for children 8-12. There will also be prizes for anyone who finds a special egg.
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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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