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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
Did you know Pennsylvania is the 14th-most regulated state in the nation? If you are a business owner, you feel it. We rank 46th in the nation for the number of regulations with more 164,000. According to the Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvania loses about 361 businesses and 5,195 jobs annually due to our economic burden. While the Shapiro administration posts on social media that they are getting stuff done, we know that we are racing toward the bottom and growing less competitive. We see major businesses leaving or passing us by, and innovation and growth are stifled.
On Monday, I met with multiple special interest groups which are requesting support for budget line items, and stood with the Pennsylvania State Police cadets for a photo on the House floor. I carried on with meetings after session related to House Labor and Industry Committee.
TUESDAY
6.17.25 House Labor & Industry Committee Voting Meeting focused on hotel safety and a second bill focused on buying vehicles and trucks that were made in America by union workers. We had a robust discussion about how unions only make up less than 10% of the workforce and thus, the bill left out the other 90% of workers in PA. Under the bill, taxpayer dollars would be funneled through a grant that other states could access.
Like the previous day, the House experienced technical difficulties with the voting system, and we voice voted until adjourned.
We have a short week this week due to the Juneteenth holiday. I will be working on local constituent issues in my district office and preparing for budget negotiations next week.
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Attorney General Announces New Reciprocity Agreement
Attorney General Dave Sunday, along with Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, announced the finalization of a reciprocity agreement with the Commonwealth of Virginia allowing holders of holders of licenses to carry firearms may do so in both states.
Under the agreement, a license holder from Pennsylvania may carry a firearm concealed on their person or in a vehicle in Virginia, and a license holder from Virginia may carry a firearm concealed on their person or in a vehicle in Pennsylvania.
This agreement is only applicable to the concealed carry of handguns and requires the following of permit holders:
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Carry photo identification.
• Present their concealed carry permit when requested by law enforcement.
• Not have a concealed carry permit previously revoked.
You can read the press release from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General here.
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Reining in Red Tape
The House Republican Policy Committee held a public hearing this week to examine the impact of excessive regulations on economic growth, job creation and government accountability in Pennsylvania.
The hearing featured testimony from Emily Greene, Pennsylvania state director with Americans for Prosperity, and Kevin Kane, director of legislative strategy with the Commonwealth Foundation, who both underscored how Pennsylvania’s over 164,000 regulatory restrictions – the 14th highest in the nation – are driving businesses, jobs and families out of the state.
According to the Commonwealth Foundation, by reducing regulatory requirements by 36%, Pennsylvania could see an increase of $9.2 billion in gross domestic product (GDP). That amounts to $1,760 per household and the equivalent of 180,000 new jobs each year.
Video of the hearing is available here.
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Preventing Theft of Benefits
Responding to a growing number of cases of stolen SNAP benefits, the state House recently approved legislation aimed at transitioning to chip-enabled Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
Since October 2022, Pennsylvania has recorded more than 23,000 cases of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits being stolen through skimming schemes. Unlike modern debit and credit cards, EBT cards currently lack chip security technology, making them highly vulnerable to fraud.
House Bill 1429 would require the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to work with the General Assembly to ensure an efficient transition to chip-enabled EBT cards. The legislation would require the department to deliver a report to lawmakers highlighting costs, fraud prevention efforts and relevant statistics to enhance the security of SNAP benefits.
The bill is pending consideration in the Senate.
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Hunting Licenses on Sale Monday
General hunting and trapping licenses for the 2025-26 season will be on sale starting Monday, June 23. Single-use antlerless licenses are on sale for all wildlife management units (WMU) and are guaranteed to PA residents in all WMUs through Sunday, July 13.
Starting Monday, July 14, nonresidents will have the opportunity to purchase unsold antlerless licenses on a first-come, first-served basis. Two weeks later, on Monday, July 28, sales of unsold antlerless licenses are open to both residents and nonresidents on a first-come, first served basis. Hunters are eligible to hold up to six antlerless licenses total, except in WMUs 5C and 5D which allow for up to nine more antlerless licenses per hunter – totaling no more than 15 antlerless licenses. Permits for the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) will be available starting Monday, Aug. 11.
Licenses are available for purchase in person at license issuing agents. Click here for a map of agents across the Commonwealth. Licenses also are available for purchase online at huntfish.pa.gov.
Visit pgc.pa.gov for more information about hunting in the Commonwealth.
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Hunter-Trapper Education Course
On Saturday, Aug. 9, the Pennsylvania Game Commission will be hosting an in-person hunter-trapper education course at the Carlisle Fish and Game Association, 1421 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle.
This is a six-hour training class required by law for all first-time hunters and trappers before they can buy a license.
Please use this link to register for the class.
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New Liberty Bell License Plates Available
Pennsylvania vehicle owners can now order new state license plates featuring the Liberty Bell, the quintessential symbol of the Commonwealth and our nation’s independence. Perfect timing as we prepare to mark the nation’s 250th birthday next year!
The new style is available for standard vehicles and trucks, including personalized plates. If you switch from a specialty plate (like a military, organization or special fund plate), it will be replaced with a standard plate in the new design.
PennDOT’s partners, such as dealers and online messengers, will use all existing standard issue license plate inventory before transitioning to the new plate design. If you want to ensure you receive the new plate design, order directly through PennDOT. The new license plates are optional for drivers with current license plates.
Click here for more information.
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An Ice Cream Lover’s Dream Getaway!
Looking for a way to sweeten your summer? Check out this year’s Scooped: An Ice Cream Trail to help find the best cool treats of the season.
A partnership of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s PA Preferred® program, the state’s Tourism Office and the Center for Dairy Excellence, the eighth annual ice cream trail will take visitors all across Pennsylvania to more dairy destinations than ever.
Participants can accumulate points by visiting trail stops and making purchases. Points accumulated from May 30 to Sept. 7 earn prizes through the trail’s digital passport. Prizes include a commemorative metal tumbler for six stops, and for 10 stops, an entry into a grand prize drawing to win an overnight getaway to Lancaster County to experience “life on the farm.”
Travelers on the Ice Cream Trail can plan their adventures, learn about participating creameries and sign up for the free digital passport at visitpa.com/scooped.
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Attention Students: House Fellowship Program Taking Applications
The Pennsylvania House Legislative Fellowship Program is accepting applications for its fall 2025 semester.
The program is based at Pennsylvania’s Capitol Building in Harrisburg where fellows are assigned to work in House standing committees or leadership offices; are compensated for their work (which may also include college credit); and are provided the opportunities to draft and present their own legislation, attend meet-and-greets with various public officials and staff, and tour some of the Commonwealth’s historic public spaces, to name a few.
Qualified applicants must be undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate students, or law school students; enrolled in a Pennsylvania college/university or a Pennsylvania resident enrolled in an out-of-state institution; and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
For more information or to apply, visit pahousefellowship.us. Applications can be submitted via email to pahousefellowship@pabmc.net. The deadline to apply for the fall term is July 1.
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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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OFFICE CLOSING
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Driver License Centers Closed for Juneteenth
All PennDOT driver license and photo centers, including the Riverfront Office Center in Harrisburg, will be closed Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth National Freedom Day.
Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services website, dmv.pa.gov.
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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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