.jpg)
|
|
|
|
| |
| 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.
|
House Dems Fail to Construct Budget, Turn to Theater Instead
I have had several calls from constituents urging the House to pass a budget. The proper budget process is for the House to send a budget to the Senate for consideration, and the Senate to send one back for concurrence. The budget bill which the House sent to the Senate is $4 billion over revenues, and we already have a $3 billion deficit from last year. This is not a serious spending plan that we can afford. In response, the Senate sent back a flat-funded budget. Everything could be funded right now if the House Democrats would vote the legislation (Senate Bill 160). We went into session this week in anticipation of that happening and instead received theater in the form of gun control bills. I cannot vote on something that doesn’t appear on the calendar or get called up for a vote. But nothing to see here – let’s argue over the Second Amendment and use violent rhetoric in the meantime. It was a disappointing session week to say the least.
The Senate is not going to continue to vote to bankrupt the next generation, and neither am I. I will not vote to increase your taxes either. We must spend within our means or open up opportunities for additional revenue. We will be in session again next Monday.
This week, the House Labor and Industry Committee met to discuss House Bill 145. This would allow striking workers to also collect unemployment benefits. This is such a crazy notion, that even California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a similar bill. My comments during committee also highlighted the fact that the bill picks winners and losers, as police, fire and prison employees cannot strike by law. Please click here to view my remarks.
On Thursday, I attended the Cumberland County Association of Township Officials’ Annual Convention at the Bongiorno Conference Center. I delivered a speech on the current state of the budget and answered questions from attendees, mostly relating to data centers.
|
Food Processing Residuals Legislation Advancing
House Bill 587 advanced Wednesday with an amendment to give the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) time to draft the certification documents and training needed to address food processing residuals (FPRs), although it is the same as the manure hauler certification. I’m hoping the bill will be voted on final passage Monday. This is significant because we must have a chain of custody on the product in the event wells are contaminated. This is the first line of defense for homeowners.
House Bill 586 on best management practices for use of FPRs was held over for a redraft of an amendment that both the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and DEP could agree to. Everyone in the meeting agreed there is a need to promulgate regulations on this new practice. I look to help facilitate this amendment next week as well, so we can move forward with the bill.
|
Treasury Offers Loans as Budget Impasse Continues
The Pennsylvania Treasury is making $500 million in loans available to county governments and Head Start providers to help them meet the needs of the state’s most vulnerable citizens during the ongoing budget impasse.
The budget is now more than three months past due, and despite being back in session this week, Democrats – who control the agenda in the House – did not advance a budget bill to the governor’s desk. Senate Bill 160 would immediately get funds flowing, not only to counties and Head Start but to all programs and agencies funded by the Commonwealth.
Senate Bill 160 would also set this year’s funding at the same level as last year. Adopting this plan would allow state money to be disbursed while negotiations continue on specific areas of disagreement.
I appreciate the Treasurer for offering this funding option, but as lawmakers, we have a duty to act NOW and get a responsible and sustainable budget done for the Commonwealth.
|
Standing Up for Your Second Amendment Rights
This week, I voted no on four gun control bills before the House. Most people in the district understand it’s the person we need to be treating rather than the mechanism being used. We have a breakdown of societal norms, values and the family unit that are contributing to the increase in violent behavior. Taking guns, or parts of guns, from law-abiding citizens is not the answer.
Three of the four measures failed by a vote of 101-102. House Bill 1859, often called the Red Flag law, would have allowed for the confiscation of a person’s firearm without due process, a clear violation of the U.S. and Pennsylvania constitutions. House Bill 1099 would have limited the types of materials that could be used to construct firearms. House Bill 1866 would have banned so-called machine gun conversion devices.
I am disappointed a bill to expand background check requirements to include private sales of long guns narrowly passed. However, it is unlikely House Bill 1593 will ever be taken up by the Senate.
|
Carlisle Connectivity Project Continues
Starting this Monday, Oct. 6, Route 11/Hanover Street in Carlisle will be closed from Route 641/High Street to Clay Street so construction of a roundabout can be completed. Route 34 from Route 641 to Kerrs Avenue will also be closed.
Signed detours will be in place. Southbound Route 34 traffic will take K Street west to Pitt Street, south to Route 11 and north to Route 34. Northbound Route 34 traffic will take Route 641 east to East Street, north to Clay Street and north to Route 34.
Northbound Route 11 traffic will use Route 641 east to East Street and north to Route 11 north. Southbound Route 11 car traffic will use East Street south to Bedford Street, south to Route 641 and west to Route 11 south. A truck detour for southbound Route 11 will use Interstate 81 south from Exit 52 to Exit 49 (Route 641/High Street) and then west to Route 11.
These closures will be in place from Oct. 6-13. This work is associated with the Carlisle Connectivity Project, which you can find out more about by clicking here.
|
Supporting Our Emergency Responders
Local fire and EMS companies have until Monday, Oct. 20, to apply for state grants to help pay for facility improvements, equipment purchase and repair, debt reduction, training and certification, and more.
Please click here for details and an application.
|
October 15 Fall Fair Senior Expo
|
|
| Office Locations |
| District Office: 437 E North Street | Carlisle, PA 17013 | Phone: 717-249-1990 |
|
| 427 Irvis Office Building | House Box 202199 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2199 | 717-772-2280 |
|
|
|
|
