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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
The House was back in session this week, though no substantive action was taken on the past-due state budget. Once again, overall spending is a key sticking point, as House Republicans believe we should be spending within our means. The plan put forth by Gov. Josh Shapiro and House Democrats who are in the majority spends far beyond that.
We will continue advocating for policies that build a better Commonwealth for future generations by growing the economy, boosting the energy industry, eliminating fraud and waste in the state’s benefits programs, and ensuring our students – the future leaders and workforce of our Commonwealth – get the kind of education they need to succeed.
As no agreement has been reached on the state budget we will be in session again next week.
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Ensuring Fairness in Women’s Sports
Recognizing the unfair advantage biological males have when competing in women’s sports, I joined my fellow legislators this week in launching an effort to force a House vote on Senate Bill 9, the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.
Since passing the state Senate in May with bipartisan support, the measure has sat idle in the House Education Committee. We attempted to use a discharge resolution (House Resolution 281) this week to get the bill out of committee so it can be debated and voted by the full House. Unfortunately, House Democrats responded by re-referring the bill to the House Health Committee, effectively avoiding a vote …for now.
The decision by House Democrat leaders and members of the House Education Committee who voted in favor of shifting Senate Bill 9 to another committee are ignoring the core purpose of Title IX, which guarantees equal athletic opportunities for females. They are turning a deaf ear to the voices of an overwhelming number of Pennsylvanians who do not want biological men participating in women’s sports or have males in females’ private spaces. When asked why they voted to re-refer the bill, the chairman had no reasonable answer. Girls and women in sports, parents, and grandparents should take note of who is and isn’t fighting for them.
House Democrats are disregarding President Donald Trump’s executive order which opposes male competitive participation in women’s sports more broadly. Furthermore, they are risking the rescindment of all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities.
Senate Bill 9 would help preserve the increased opportunities that female athletes have gained over the past half century by prohibiting participation by biological males in women’s sports. I will continue fighting for our female athletes and this commonsense piece of legislation.
Video:
Rep. Gleim’s committee remarks.
Rep. Gleim speaking after the committee meeting.
On Tuesday, July 1, I was invited to attend a press conference in Washington, DC for the announcement that the University of Pennsylvania entered into a resolution agreement on Title IX and women’s rights at the university. UPenn, where the fight began with Riley Gaines and Paula Scanlon, has agreed to change its athletic policy to ensure “no female athlete will ever compete against, or suffer the indignity of being forced to share an intimate facility with, a biological male.”
The resolution also included personal apologies to every female athlete who’s been forced to compete against a man, and the removal of all records set by a man in women’s sports. I, along with many others who know our Civil Rights laws, applaud UPenn’s decision to change its policies. I am hopeful all other universities and K-12 schools follow suit.
On Saturday, June 28, we dedicated the Middlesex Township bridge which crosses Interstate 81 in front of the Army Heritage Education Center in honor of Maj. Gen. Harold (Harry) Greene. He was the highest-ranking officer killed in the Afghanistan War and since Vietnam. Maj. Greene served his country in the U.S. Army for more than 34 years, with nearly a third of his career contributing to the Army’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C-5-I-S-R) enterprise in countless impactful ways.
Both Maj. Gen. Greene and his wife, Susan, worked and taught at the Army War College and their children attended Carlisle High School. Adj. Gen. John Pippy, Sen. Greg Rothman (R-34), Congressman Scott Perry (R-10) and Father Eric Albertson from the college all spoke at the dedication. Maj. Greene’s Army fatigues are on display at the United States Army Heritage and Education Center in commemoration of his service to our country.
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In The News
tristatealert.com/after-stonewalling-by-pa-house-dems-republicans-look-at-discharge-petition-for-statewide-save-womens-sports-act/
House Republicans push for debate on Save Women's Sports bill - AOL.com
Pennsylvania Legislature | National News | goshennews.com
Gleim Leads House Effort to Force Vote on Legislation That Would Protect Women's Sports
Reps. Solomon, Gleim legislation asks students 'What is Your Pennsylvania Story?'
State Affairs
Solomon, Gleim Legislation Asks Students 'What is Your Pennsylvania Story?'
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus
Gleim, Solomon Legislation Asks Students 'What is Your Pennsylvania Story?'
Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
cumberlink.com/news/state-regional/pennsylvania/article_2627ad4d-ee52-5c4a-bf8f-fc383d01ec97.html#tracking-source=home-top-story
abc27.com/pennsylvania-politics/pennsylvania-republicans-force-vote-on-bill-banning-transgender-girls-in-sports/
thecentersquare.com/issues/education/article_d88c0f13-a703-4a79-b0e4-3ec9225e2233.html
cumberlandvalleynews.com/stories/673349702-bridge-dedication-honors-maj-gen-harold-harry-greene
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If You Live Big Spring School District…
Our office received calls regarding the billing errors this week. We have been informed that the district is aware of the omission of clean and green deductions from the 2025 School Real Estate Tax bills. Those residents enrolled in the program will receive revisions. The revised tax bills were to be mailed, July 8, 2025, and will read “Corrected Real Estate Tax” above the recipients’ address.
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What’s Your Pennsylvania Story Legislation
Encouraging Pennsylvania students to more actively examine their role in our state’s past, present and future is the subject of legislation I co-authored with Rep. Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) that was passed overwhelmingly on Monday, May 30, by the state House.
House Bill 354 would create the “What’s Your Pennsylvania Story” Act to celebrate the unique lived experiences of Pennsylvania students and their families in anticipation of the country’s upcoming semi-quincentennial. The bill would require the Department of Education to develop materials that a school entity may incorporate into social studies instruction.
Our legislation would provide an excellent opportunity to plant seeds for the future as we prepare to celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Inspiring our young people to research their past and realize the important role they will play in shaping the years ahead is a great way to grow and enrich both our state and our country.
House Bill 354 now goes to the governor for consideration.
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Burdensome Child Care Regulations are Failing Families, Businesses
The availability of affordable, quality child care is a significant challenge facing many families across the Commonwealth. Overregulation of the industry is a big reason why.
The House Republican Policy Committee recently held a hearing about the issue, taking testimony from Aaron Riggleman of the PA Chamber of Business and Industry, Jen Segelken of the YMCA of Greater Philadelphia, and Ambria Salavantis of Small Wonders and Wilkes-Barre Academy.
All agree Pennsylvania’s child care regulations are not only excessive, but they also lack flexibility and common sense. As a result, child care providers are being driven out of business. At the same time, the child care crisis is taking an immense toll on parents – especially working moms and dads – who are desperate for safe, reliable child care but are met with waitlists and closures.
Watch the hearing here.
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Legislation to Protect Firefighters’ Income Passes House
Last week, I joined in the unanimous support of a bill to exempt length-of-service awards for volunteer firefighters from state income taxes.
At a time when fire companies are struggling to meet personnel needs, length-of-service awards are a valuable recruitment and retention tool. The hardworking men and women who put their lives on the line to protect public safety in communities across the Commonwealth should not have to give up a portion of that award to state government.
House Bill 1306 would exclude distributions from a length-of-service award program from the definition of income for purposes of the Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax.
More than 90% of Pennsylvania’s 2,400 fire companies are volunteer based. We owe a debt of gratitude to these dedicated men and women who sacrifice their time and personal safety to protect us.
The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
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Public Comments Accepted Through Aug. 15!
The public comment period for the Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS) 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and the HATS 2025 Public Participation Plan (PPP) began on July 1 and runs through Aug. 15. To view both the draft HATS 2050 and PPP plans, please click here.
To formally submit a public comment for either plan, please email planning@tcrpc-pa.org.
As part of the public comment period, HATS staff will host an in-person public meeting on Wednesday, July 23, at the Strawberry Square Atrium, 320 Market St., Harrisburg), from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition to the in-person public meeting, virtual public information sessions are being held on Tuesday, July 15 at 2 p.m. and Thursday, July 17, at 6 p.m. Please click here to register for either session.
Recordings of each session will be made available.
The HATS 2050 Regional Transportation Plan is the federally required, long-range transportation plan covering Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties. The RTP documents feature current status of transportation projects and programs, identify long-term needs, and recommend projects to meet those needs while setting a framework and priorities for the expenditure of federal transportation funds over a 25-year period.
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Fun for All Ages Awaits at PA Fairs
Summer is in full swing, and so is Pennsylvania fair season! Communities across the Commonwealth are hosting dozens of fairs featuring food, fun and entertainment, as well as competitive exhibits highlighting animals, produce, crops, crafts, baking and more.
To plan your fair visit, check out the 2025 PA Fair Guide here.
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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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