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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 Wire
As an update to the Big Spring historical bridge, stakeholders at the local, county and state levels came together to agree that issues can be resolved without spending $2 million of taxpayer dollars for a new bridge. We attended the HATS technical committee meeting last Friday via Zoom to voice our concerns. West Pennsboro Township and North Newton have agreed to petition PennDOT District 8 to lower the speed limit on the bridge so it becomes geographically efficient. Our office will keep you updated, and we want to thank everyone for their time helping Newville.
I participated in a fundraiser for the Midwest Food Bank last Friday and witnessed care and thanksgiving, as donors gave nearly $100,000 to support this Christian-based outreach. Midwest Food Bank was not affected by the federal funding freeze because it does not take federal dollars or use brokerage firms.
The Pennsylvania Family Institute gave a summit for some members of the House on Saturday, which included guest speakers discussing faith and family legislation, generational issues, education, and the intent our Founding Fathers had for our nation. It was truly inspirational and personally grounding as we grapple with a divided state.
I worked on a comprehensive bill to limit cell phone use in schools and introduced it this week. House Bill 1238 limits cell phone usage in schools during instructional time, with exceptions listed. There are nine states that have passed a bill that bans cell phones in K-12; Virginia was through executive order. California and Ohio have limited cell phone use in schools (that’s where my bill falls), and in three states the Board of Education has encouraged their state to limit them. Most schools in our region already have policies in place. This bill was also accepted by the American Legislative Exchange Council as model policy for the nation. So far, the biggest pushback on the bill has been from big tech companies that want the clicks.
I will highlight other meetings of the week below; however, I want to express that no matter how frustrating life can be, we should never elevate that frustration to open violence on any entity or person. Just like the assassination attempts on President Donald Trump, what happened at the governor’s mansion this past week, and during Passover, was hateful. There are plenty of services, faith-based organizations and nonprofits in our region to help anyone deal with anger or unchecked emotions. I encourage going off-grid now and then and spending quality time with family and friends.
This Thursday, we will be hosting Congressman John Joyce in Upper Frankford township for an Agricultural Roundtable with county commissioners, local supervisors and farmers to discuss ag-related issues in our district. Congressman Joyce is a strong proponent of protecting farmland from foreign adversaries. We are grateful to have him listening to our local concerns.
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BETHANY HOUSE TOUR
I toured Bethany House last week and pledged my support for its work and needs. This is a residential program for young women) who have aged out of the foster care system and are at risk of homelessness. Bethany House has received grant dollars from Partnership for Better Health, but continued funding is needed in order to help these young women get jobs, satisfy medical needs and maintain stable housing. In prior newsletters, I have written about the Launchpad in Newville for young men. This is the equivalent for young women.
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BICAMERAL FOOD PROCESSING RESIDUAL HEARING
On Monday of this week, I attended a hearing in Antrim Township hosted by Sen. Doug Mastriano on food processing residual (FPR) legislation. Staff members from Sen. Greg Rothman, Rep. Rob Kauffman and Rep. Chad Reichard were also present, as well as Antrim Township officials. My legislation, along with Rep. Paul Friel, (House Bills 586 and 587), was discussed, as well as Sen. Mastriano’s bill that totally bans the use of FPRs (Senate Bill 624). Three families testified as to how their lives have been impacted in every way due to their wells being contaminated. If you did not get the opportunity to tune in, please go to the link provided to hear their four-year journey, and let me know your thoughts in an email at bgleim@pahousegop.com.
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In the News
My Face the State interview
ABC 27 aired a report on my legislation to limit cell phones in schools
Cumberland County Conservation District 2024 Annual Summary
PennWATCH: The Fight to Save Women's Sports with PA Rep. Barb Gleim
The American Legislative Exchange Council published this recent article
An article from the Lock Haven Express: Borowicz, Others Applaud Committee Passage of PA Senate Bill
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Stay Alert in Work Zones
Next week, April 21-25, is National Work Zone Awareness Week, a time to remind drivers to be cautious, alert and respectful while traveling through areas of roadway and bridge construction. This year’s theme is “Respect the Zone So We All Get Home.”
The message is all the more poignant after a highway worker was killed in a work zone crash on Route 581 near Harrisburg earlier this week.
When you encounter work zones, PennDOT offers the following tips: drive the posted work zone speed limit; stay alert and pay attention to signs and flaggers; maintain a safe distance around vehicles; use flashers if traveling slowly; avoid distractions; and be patient.
State law requires motorists to travel with their headlights on in all posted work zones, not just active work zones. Daytime running lights are not sufficient; drivers must have their headlights on to also activate their taillights.
Drivers also should be aware that interstate work zones with a project cost exceeding $300,000 will have a speed-monitoring device to alert motorists of their speed prior to entering the work zone.
For more information about work zone safety, click here,
Remember: The men and women working on our roadways are parents, children, siblings and spouses. They deserve to return home from work each day safely.
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Help Limit Spread of Spotted Lanternfly
With the state’s spotted lanternfly quarantine now expanded to 56 counties, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is encouraging everyone to destroy lanternfly eggs in the coming weeks to help protect valuable food and ornamental crops.
Adult insects die off over the winter after laying tiny rows of eggs, covering them with a putty-colored protective coating. The egg masses, which can be on any outdoor surface, from trees and rocks to equipment and lawn furniture, each contain 30-50 eggs approximately the size of a pinhead and have survived winters in sub-zero temperatures. Scraping and smashing them is easy and requires no special tools.
To learn how to recognize and report spotted lanternflies, control them on your property and keep from taking them to new homes when you travel, visit agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternfly.
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PGC Opens Shooting Range Grant Program
The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Shooting Range Improvement Program is now accepting applications for shooting range projects.
The program seeks to provide funding to sportsmen clubs to develop new or unique projects that will positively impact Pennsylvania’s hunters and recreational shooters.
A maximum of $50,000 will be awarded per project. Eligible projects could include training, storage and clubhouse facilities; new construction, renovation, relocation; construction of backstops and safety berms; signage; lead remediation; and more.
Submissions are due to the Game Commission by June 1 with project selection by July 1. Click here for more information.
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PennDOT Invites Pennsylvanians to Share Feedback on Winter Services
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is seeking the public’s feedback on winter services through an online survey.
The survey is available now through April 28 and should take about five minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous.
The 16-question survey asks respondents about their timeline expectations for safe and passable roadways, how they rank snow-removal priorities and how they rate PennDOT’s winter services.
Click here to take the survey.
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Offices Closed Good Friday
Our district office will be closed this Friday, April 18.
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Happy Easter!
Wishing everyone celebrating Easter this weekend a blessed and holy day filled with hope and peace.
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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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