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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 was honored to stand with Jake Fealtman and his fellow marines on Saturday at the Opossum Lake Run as a memorial to Jake’s brother, who was also a marine. Many people braved the rainy weather to participate.
On Monday, I attended a policy hearing on Medicaid fraud in Pennsylvania and received important data on work requirements. More on that hearing below.
Among many of the bills coming out of the House Labor and Industry Committee that are not practically feasible to implement was House Bill 846, which would prohibit split rates and providing for custom fabrication on public works projects. I spoke against the bill on the House floor.
The Pennsylvania Cattlemen’s Association came to the Capitol Tuesday for a meeting on a budget line item that effects their work within the state. We also discussed the state of our beef industry.
A U.S. Army War College Capitol visit on Tuesday included the international online seminar graduating class and I was honored to welcome them to Pennsylvania.
I also participated in a joint informational meeting of the House Commerce and Aging and Older Adult Services committees. related to the financial exploitation of older adults and its connection to OAPSA (Older Adult Protective Services Act).
On Wednesday. The House Commerce Committee met to discuss the right to repair technology-based products and a bill that would limit overdraft fees for community banks. I still don’t understand why the majority Democrat party wants to tell businesses what to do, rather than teach financial literacy and how to avoid overdrafts in the first place. You can view my remarks here.
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Eagle Scout Honors
Congratulations to Christopher Oyler for completing the Mount Tabor Preservation Project in Mount Holly. His project created both a respite for prayer and contemplation, and an archway into the historic cemetery. Christopher completed all his badgework, but added bronze, silver and gold palms on top of his slew of awards. Congratulations Christopher!
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Cyber Charter Reform
I was asked by a few constituents why I voted no on a second cyber reform bill that would save school districts money, and I thought all constituents should understand the bill instead of the left-leaning rhetoric on social media. I do agree with cyber reform. We already made substantial changes last year, but House Bill 1500 would eliminate outside charters.
Apart from the fact that not one person could tell me how they arrived at the $8,000 figure, and that they keep harping on the dollars going out but not talking about the private school funding going in, there are many reasons to vote no to this legislation. They are not serious about the reform. Philadelphia’s ADM (cost per student) is $28,000 per student, yet they want the cybers to teach at $8,000. That would only cover the cost of the computer and perhaps the curriculum but not cover the teacher or administrator overhead. It would kill cyber education in Pennsylvania, and I won’t be a party to that. We’re talking about 65,000 students that would be negatively impacted.
Fund balance limits
• By the end of this year, the bill would require cyber charter schools to pay the Commonwealth a portion of their fund balances that exceed their total expenditures by a certain amount to cushion funding for the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program and the Solar for Schools Grant Program (both were Democrat priorities last session). Cybers are public schools, so they are demanding a certain fund balance from them while public schools have amassed almost $7 billion in fund balances.
• When the 2025-26 school year begins, cyber schools would be prohibited from holding a fund balance in excess of 12% of their total expenditures and would have to issue refunds to the school districts on a proportional basis if they go over the limit.
• Cyber charters are prohibited from using funds over the unassigned fund balance limit to give out bonuses, provide incentives to employees or transfer funds to a charter school foundation.
General Operations (or lack thereof)
• A moratorium is placed on the PA Department of Education (PDE) approving new cyber charter schools beginning with the upcoming school year through the 2029-30 school year.
• Any cyber school that is designated as needing comprehensive support is prohibited from expanding their enrollment beyond a 5% increase of its highest reported enrollment over the past three years.
• Potentially lower the amount of time a charter can be renewed. The current renewal is five years, the bill changes the time frame from 3-5 years at PDE’s discretion.
• There are eight instances in the bill in which failure to comply with a new requirement is grounds for nonrenewal or revocation of the school’s charter.
Legislative Oversight
• The bill would create a redundant six-person council to hold hearings and develop recommendations on functions and funding of cyber charter schools for the General Assembly’s consideration.
• Membership includes two individuals from the Department of Education and one member from each legislative caucus.
• There is no cyber charter representation on the council.
• After the council is established, the bill would make an additional 25 pages of cyber charter reform that may or may not be in alignment with any recommendations developed by the future council.
Unintended consequences
• The prime sponsor asserts that her bill is fixing a funding flaw in an “outdated” Charter School Law.
• The General Assembly enacted several meaningful cyber charter reforms that went into effect just six months ago.
• As part of last year’s budget, Pennsylvania invested $100 million in cyber charter reimbursements for school districts and made changes to the formula for special education tuition payments. These initiatives reduced cyber school costs by about $190 million annually.
o Note: while we expected the formula change to have an approximate $35 million annual impact, the figure is closer to $90 million.
o We haven’t seen a full year’s worth of data to determine how our recent reforms will impact funding yet.
• Act 55 also expanded ethics, transparency, and accountability standards, thus strengthening oversight across the board. Despite these actions, which were the result of a bipartisan negotiation, we are faced with the same proposal this year - cut cyber funding, by setting an unsustainable $8,000 tuition rate.
No matter what savings this bill creates for school districts, it does more harm to students who rely on a different form of learning. We know the funding formula is broken, which is the real reason schools are losing money, yet we keep raising taxes on homeowners and reducing choices for parents instead of having the fortitude to fix the formula.
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XPO Trucking Service Center Expansion
Congratulations to XPO Trucking on the grand opening of its new 273,000-square-foot, 281-door service center in Carlisle. The new service center will provide jobs for 450 local employees, including 49 veterans and 20 drivers who’ve each driven more than one million accident-free miles. Thank you for your contribution to our community!
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PA Must Do More to Restore Integrity of Medicaid Program
As the annual state budget deadline nears, the House Republican Policy Committee held a hearing Monday to highlight growing issues in the Commonwealth’s Medicaid program. Currently, more than 1 million able-bodied adults without dependents are enrolled in the program, while more than 14,000 disabled individuals remain on a waiting list for services.
Testifiers from the Foundation for Government Accountability testified about how Pennsylvania’s ability to deliver effective assistance to its neediest residents is being hampered by a lack of work requirements or accountability for able-bodied adults without dependents, as well as outdated verification systems that fail to detect ineligible enrollees and growing costs that jeopardize the sustainability of core services.
Republican lawmakers signaled a commitment to advance solutions that promote efficiency, transparency and compassion through reform—ensuring that taxpayer dollars are responsibly managed and prioritized for the truly vulnerable. Video of the hearing is available here.
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Celebrate Flag Day
Saturday, June 14, commemorates the adoption of the United States flag. Since a 1916 proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson, this date has been marked as “Flag Day.” Congressional legislation designating that date as national Flag Day was signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1949.
From 13 stars to 50, the American flag has been a symbol of freedom and liberty throughout the world. To learn more about the history of the American flag, click here.
To learn more about how to treat the flag and how to display it, read the United States Flag Code here.
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Application Deadline Extended for 2024 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
The deadline for senior citizens and Pennsylvanians with disabilities to apply for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2024 has been extended to Dec. 31.
Income limits for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program increased this year to $46,520 for both homeowners and renters. If you were earning too much to qualify before, you may be eligible now. Remember to exclude 50% of Social Security when determining your income. The law I supported to expand the program also increased the maximum rebate to $1,000.
The program is open to residents age 65 years and older; widows and widowers 50 years and older; and people with disabilities 18 years and older.
Remember – you do not need to pay anyone for assistance to apply for the rebates. Apply online at mypath.pa.gov, or contact my office for help. Additional information about the program is available here.
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West Pennsboro Fireman’s Fair This Weekend
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Cumberland County Public Safety Fair
The Public Safety 9-1-1 Summer Fair will be held on Friday, June 27, from 10 a.mv. to 2 p.m. at the Cumberland County Department of Public Safety, 1 Public Safety Drive, Carlisle. Click here for more information: https://www.cumberlandcountypa.gov/5097/Public-Safety-9-1-1-Summerfair
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June is National Dairy Month…Get Free Milk!
The Annual Glenn Peffer Free Milk Giveaway is this Saturday, June 14, from 8 a.m. to noon at 1446 Holy Pike in Carlisle.
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Major General “Harry” Harold Greene Bridge Dedication
Registration appreciated online by Friday, June 20 by clicking here.
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Offices Closed Thursday, June 19
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Happy Father’s Day this Sunday!
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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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