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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
Last weekend, I attended Newburg’s Memorial Day service on the square. Thank you to everyone who participated and organized the event. It was a beautiful day and the guest speaker, Kirby Kiefer, had personal knowledge and experiences with the local fallen hero.
After the Memorial Day service, I attended a “thank you” luncheon for local EMS and first responders who fought the latest forest fires in the western part of the county. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania State Police and other state agencies were also represented. Their professionalism and training kept everyone safe and for that, we are truly grateful.
On Monday, I attended a House Republican Policy Committee hearing on the fiscal and educational outcomes of the Philadelphia School District after years of increased funding. We don’t have an adequacy gap; we have an honesty gap. The school district has increased administrators by 12% as its population has declined.
I attended Jr. Achievement and the BizTown event with Middlesex Elementary fifth graders. I was honored to swear in “the Mayor of BizTown” and be interviewed by the local paper. This event teaches students about how business works, and the responsibilities involved. Local businesses also sponsor the event, which is a fun way to learn about real world experiences and develop a thought process for workforce possibilities in their future.
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Capitol Tours
Welcome, Moreland Elementary School, to the Capitol.
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Real ID Issues at PennDOT
Our office has had issues and complaints regarding the inconsistencies of obtaining a Real ID. One person moved in from another state and went to get a PA drivers license and was told their Real ID in another state did not transfer into PA - so the DMV told this person they had to go through the entire process again. This is a federal mandate and should be acceptable in all 50 states. Another person had the DMV tell them they didn’t need Real ID if they were traveling domestically. This is only true if you have a valid passport or another form of federal ID, like a military ID. Finally, there still seems to be a void in the process when a woman gets married and needs to change her name, but also wants a REAL ID when she goes through this process. What comes first, the chicken or the egg? Do you change your name on your Social Security card first, or get the Real ID first? Both agencies are saying it’s the other agency that has to come first. I am sure there are more who haven’t called our office, but we will voice your frustrations as we pass along the information to PennDOT.
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Handheld Devices Ban Takes Effect June 5
A new Pennsylvania law banning the use of handheld devices while driving takes effect on June 5.
Paul Miller’s Law limits the use of handheld cellphones or other communication devices while operating a motor vehicle. The law is named for a young man who was killed in a crash involving a distracted tractor-trailer driver in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, in 2010.
Under the law, driving while holding a mobile device is a primary violation, meaning police can pull over drivers solely for the violation. For the first 12 months, the penalty is a written warning. Effective in June 2026, the penalty is a summary offense, which carries a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees. If a driver is convicted of homicide by vehicle and driving while distracted, they may be sentenced up to an additional five years in prison.
Drivers can still use their phones if using hands-free technology, such as a docking station, Bluetooth or speaker technology. You may also use your phone to contact emergency responders.
According to PennDOT, more than 11,000 crashes were the result of distracted driving, leading to 65 deaths and 6,700 injuries in 2023. Pennsylvania joins 28 other states with hands-free laws.
Read more here.
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Remember the Fallen This Memorial Day
Today is Memorial Day – a day set aside to honor the more than 1.1 million Americans who have died in wars which the United States entered.
Please take a moment to remember these men and women who sacrificed their lives for us and for our country and consider participating in Memorial Day events in your community.
For more information about Memorial Day and its history, click here.
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Prevent Lyme: Check for Ticks
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. As you spend time outdoors, it is important to check yourself, loved ones and pets for ticks and be aware of the symptoms of Lyme disease and other tick-related ailments.
The first line of defense against Lyme is to take precautions outdoors by treating clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin, using insect repellent, and avoiding wooded and brushy areas with high grass or leaf litter. When you return indoors, check your clothing, gear and pets for ticks; shower as soon as possible after being outdoors; and check your body for ticks, particularly in areas such as under the arms, in and around the ears, back of the knees and other similar areas.
If bitten, an individual should monitor the area for the appearance of a bull’s eye rash, though the rash does not develop in all cases. Early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, fatigue, headache and muscle aches. However, symptoms may progress to arthritic, neurologic and cardiac symptoms if not treated.
Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by the bite of a blacklegged tick or deer tick. If you pull a tick from yourself, a loved one or your pet, you may have it tested to determine if it carries Lyme or other tick-borne diseases. More information about how to get a tick tested at the East Stroudsburg University Tick Lab is available here.
Learn more about Lyme disease symptoms, treatment and prevention here.
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New Sextortion Scam Blackmails Children
A disturbing new scam involves organized groups of Nigerian cybercriminals targeting American children online. After befriending them – sometimes even posing as their classmates – and exchanging nude photos, the criminals blackmail them and demand money.
Organized Nigerian criminals have increased this practice, known as sextortion, by 1,000% in the last 18 months. It can cause unthinkable consequences, including suicide, after a child is told the images will be sent to their family, friends and everyone in their school if they don’t pay.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offers a helpful tool to anyone facing this overwhelming scenario. Take It Down is a free service that allows a child to have a “hash value” – essentially a digital fingerprint – assigned to the photo being used against them. The “hash value” is then sent out to participating sites such as Instagram, Snapchat and even pornography sites that put a block on the image so it cannot be seen, shared or spread, rendering it useless for the blackmailer. A child never has to upload the photo to the service, nor does anyone ever view the image in the process.
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MG Harlod “Harry” Greene Bridge Dedication Ceremony
Click here to register.
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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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