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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 Weekly Update
Last Friday morning we held an educational breakfast for our local farmers and farming enthusiasts. We were given an update from Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Greg Hostetter, as well as a thorough analysis of the state of agriculture from Penn State Extension Educator Andrew Frankenfield. I gave an update on food processing residual legislation, and water quality and eminent domain issues were also highlighted by attendees. Thank you to everyone who attended, as well as the West Pennsboro Township Board of Supervisors for the location, and Country Butcher Shop for the great food.
I attended the Middlesex Township Fall Festival on Saturday and enjoyed speaking with local residents. It was a record turnout and the weather was perfect for the event.
This past Monday, I took part in the March for Life event in Harrisburg and later sat on a joint panel made up of legislators and pastors to discuss the state of the pro-life movement in Pennsylvania. I am a member of both the Pro-Life and Prayer caucuses in the House. I want to thank all the pastors who attended the meeting, as well as the White Rose organization, Pennsylvania Family Institute and the Church Ambassador Network for planning the event. Monday evening, I attended the Cumberland County Farm Bureau’s fall dinner meeting and gave a legislative update.
On Tuesday, I attended the annual Cumberland Community Economic Development Conference, as well as a breakout session on the need for affordable housing in our region. I also held constituent meetings in my district office in the afternoon.
On Wednesday, our new office manager, Trey Piper, celebrated his birthday. Unfortunately for him, we held a working lunch on event planning, so no resting there. Happy birthday, Trey! I also held several zoom calls regarding labor issues.
On Thursday, I traveled to the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce for a United States Small Business Association hearing on the agricultural meat processing industry and the role of small businesses in rural communities. We discussed regulatory solutions to supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and market access.
I have several Zoom meetings today (Friday) and a tour of the new Commonwealth Connections Academy building in Carlisle. We are scheduled to be back in session next week and continue the effort to pass a balanced budget. I anticipate reading a revised overall budget and corresponding code bills.
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Employment Skills Center Free Forklift Operator Training
The employment Skills Center (ESC) is once again offering a free forklift training course. This class includes seven hours of workplace skills training, followed by forklift safety instruction, hands-on training and certification at Dauphin County Technical School. A valid driver’s license is required. Please click here to apply.
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PFBC Now Accepting Applications for Boating Facility Grant Program
As a growing number of communities realize the benefits of having convenient boating access along their local waterways, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is excited to offer the next round of boating facility grants to help communities capitalize on the surge in new boating activity.
The program provides grants for planning, acquisition, development, expansion and rehabilitation of public boating facilities located on the waters of the Commonwealth.
Applicants can seek grants for planning, site acquisition, development, expansion, prevention of the spread of aquatic invasive species and rehabilitation of recreational boat access facilities. Eligible construction projects may include boat ramps, courtesy docks, restrooms, access roads, parking areas and signs. Applicants are encouraged to make facilities accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities.
The deadline for applications is Dec.1, 2025.
For more information and to apply, visit the PFBC website, or contact Statewide Public Access Program Manager Mark Morrison at 717-346 8196. Inquiries can also be emailed to RA-BoatGrants@pa.gov.
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Project SHARE is Partnering with Maranatha-Carlisle to Host Free Financial Literacy Class
Project SHARE is teaming up with Maranatha-Carlisle to bring a free financial literacy class to their warehouse in Carlisle! Lunch, a gift card and childcare will be provided for all participants. Topics to be discussed include saving, budgeting, credit building, debt elimination and more.
The course will have five sessions, beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Please click here for more information.
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PennDOT Invites Pennsylvania High School Students to Join Ninth Annual ‘Innovations Challenge’
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is inviting high school students throughout the state to participate in this year’s PennDOT Innovations Challenge, which encourages students to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to solve real-world transportation challenges in a competition among their peers.
For this year’s challenge, students are asked to develop a concept for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in work zones to dramatically improve safety for work crews and road users. The concept must outline how PennDOT can use smarter systems to prevent accidents and protect those who are working to build a better Pennsylvania.
The Innovations Challenge is open to all students in grades 9-12, regardless of their school’s learning model. For complete Innovations Challenge details, click here. The submission deadline is Jan. 30, 2026.
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Raising Cancer Awareness
Among many designations, the month of September is recognized as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Blood Cancer Awareness Month, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, and Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month.
It is an important reminder for all Pennsylvanians, regardless of age, to be aware of changes in their health that may indicate the development of cancer or other illness or disease. The American Cancer Society offers valuable resources to help people educate themselves on cancer risks and symptoms at cancer.org. Of course, you are encouraged to consult with a doctor for a specific diagnosis.
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Fraudulent Texts Target Pennsylvanians in Refund Scam
The Pennsylvanians Department of Revenue issued a warning this week about a phishing scam involving fraudulent text messages that impersonate Revenue officials and attempt to trick recipients into sharing sensitive personal and financial information.
Similar reports have surfaced in Philadelphia, where the city’s Department of Revenue has also seen residents targeted by deceptive texts. These messages often include links to fake websites and request banking details under the pretense of processing a refund.
Officials advise all taxpayers to verify the status of their refund only through official channels. Taxpayers can check the status of their refunds online by visiting the department’s official online tax hub, myPATH, or by calling 1-888-PATAXES. Taxpayers will be prompted to provide their Social Security number and requested refund amount to obtain the current status.
To protect yourself:
• Do not click on links from unknown or suspicious senders.
• Never share your Social Security number, bank account details or other personal information via text.
• Report suspicious messages or calls to the Department of Revenue at 717-425-2495, Ext. 72267.
To verify potentially fraudulent contact from the department or to report suspicious activity, visit revenue.pa.gov.
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Col. Robert M Kinney to Speak at Veterans Appreciation Breakfast and Expo
On Thursday, Oct. 30, Col. Robert Kinney will speak at our Veterans Breakfast, which will take place from 9-11 a.m. at the Bongiorno Conference Center, 430 Union Hall Road, Carlisle. Col. Kinney is the director of first-year studies at the U.S. Army War College. A 2003 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, he has served as a field artillery officer with extensive leadership and operational experience.
Col. Kinney previously commanded the 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment in Germany and held key roles including director of the Commander’s Action Group for CJTF–OIR, field artillery branch representative at West Point and deputy commander of the 82nd Airborne Division Artillery.
His deployments include Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Col. Kinney’s awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and badges for Master Parachutist, Air Assault, and Combat Action.
Col. Kinney holds degrees from the United States Military Academy, the School of Advanced Military Studies and the Army War College. He and his wife, Tara, have four children.
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Oct. 4 Concealed Carry Seminar
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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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