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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 Saturday, I supported the nonprofit “Selfless Service” in our area, which provides much-needed home services to active duty families and veterans, at its annual bingo. Thank you to their sponsor Kingsley Blasco for putting on a great fundraiser for our service members.
On Monday, I traveled to the Valley Forge area with the Senate Maternal and Infant Health Caucus on a tour of Genesis Women’s Clinic in Phoenixville. Genesis Women’s Clinic has been serving their community since 1984, with offices in Pottstown and Phoenixville. They provide a comfortable, confidential, non-judgmental atmosphere where women can process the complex thoughts and emotions they encounter during pregnancy. Since August of last year, Genesis has supported and served over 580 women and families across more than 1,900 appointments. Their whole-person approach empowers women with the tools, knowledge and support to make fully informed decisions regarding their pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care—helping to ensure the best possible outcomes for both mothers and their children. Their licensed medical team offers a variety of services, including medically verified pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, sexually transmitted infection testing, and prenatal education and support. Their counseling services focus on developing parenting and relationship skills to ensure women seeking their help are as equipped as possible to navigate their next chapter in life. They also provide free supplies, including diapers, formula, clothing and accessories, to help parents with the material challenges they may be experiencing. There were many takeaways, but one being that a woman who has taken a chemical abortion pill, can actually reverse that with a consultation, with above-average results.
On Tuesday, Veterans Day, I attended the Newville Veterans Day Ceremony. It was an honor to call out Newville veterans no longer with us and have their families receive a service flag with their loved ones on it to be displayed in the borough. It was a cold blustery day; however, we had a large representation from the Marines, who didn’t even notice. I was told that next year, they will challenge Army veterans to match the turnout (in kind jest). The House was called into Harrisburg for a budget caucus in the evening.
Wednesday there were many budget meetings on bills; however, I was able to hold onto my scheduled Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) meeting regarding several issues in the 199th. DEP is still working through the concerns from the last open meeting in Penn Township regarding the warehouse issue and the Big Spring Watershed. The food processing residual (FPR) amendment to House Bill 587 is in progress. I was also working through two issues with Sen. Rothman’s office on water issues at Kings Gap Store and Ritner Steel warehouse. Face-to-face meetings are very helpful, and I was happy to work with the legislative liaison to the department and department water personnel. The state budget passed four months past the deadline (more below).
On Thursday, I attended a Labor and Industry Committee roundtable on Workers’ Compensation cost containment. Testifiers included Alex Herper of the PA Chamber, Jonathan Greer of the Insurance Federation, Ramona Tanabe from the Workers Compensation Research Institute, Neil Dombrowski and Stephen Moore from the PA Defense Institute, and Paul Fires from the PA Chamber, speaking on the impacts of the increase in costs to the Workers’ Compensation process. After constituent meetings that afternoon, I also attended the Carlisle Borough Council’s meeting to speak about their codification of their “Carlisle community trust and local autonomy” ordinance. Many residents and businesses attended to speak against the borough protecting and welcoming illegal aliens, after just recently learning about the final vote to be taken. Most of the speakers who agreed with the ordinance were fearful of racial profiling of legal residents. In the end, there was one “no” vote to adopt the ordinance, along grounds that the borough could lose federal funding. The ordinance can be found at the borough council’s website at Carlisle, PA, and the testimony can be viewed here.
Today, I toured Arche Classical Academy off Walnut Bottom Road and met with students, administrators and teachers. I was surprised to learn they take Latin classes at an early age, and that almost every student in second grade is above reading level. As a private Christian school, they struggle with transportation and funding, but their program remains robust. They will be holding several fundraisers soon so keep an eye out if you are looking to help the school and receive a tax deduction in the process.
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2025-26 State Budget Completed
More than four months after the June 30 due date, the House, Senate and governor came together earlier this week to complete the 2025-26 state budget process. The final plan spends $50.1 billion, exceeding revenues by nearly $4 billion. In just two years, this administration has gone from over $6.6 billion in reserves to just $200 million. We received the Fiscal Code at 10:10 a.m. and we took the vote to proceed at 11:30 a.m. It was 150 pages, so you can imagine very few representatives read everything that was in it.
Beyond the numbers, and thinking positively, the budget agreement makes several policy changes that will hopefully help in the future:
• A major roadblock for the state’s energy industry is removed as Pennsylvania is officially withdrawn from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Due to uncertainty and the threat of higher costs with RGGI, our Commonwealth has missed out on 22,000 direct energy-related jobs and nearly $8 billion in economic development. With this policy change, we will see more jobs, greater energy production, a more reliable electric grid and stabilized utility costs.
• Reforms to the state’s permitting process will enhance economic growth opportunities and increase our competitiveness while holding bureaucrats accountable. Key permits will be deemed approved if not reviewed and processed in a timely manner, and each state agency is required to establish a secure permit tracking system.
• An additional $50 million will increase the number of children in economically disadvantaged schools (EDS) who are eligible for assistance to go to the school of their choice through the EDS scholarship program. The budget plan also aims to boost literacy rates across the Commonwealth through the use of evidence-based reading instruction curriculum in schools, along with required screenings and reading intervention programs for any K-3 student who is identified as having a reading deficiency.
• Taxpayer dollars are protected and directed to those most in need through several initiatives to ensure the integrity of benefit programs such as Medical Assistance and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Taxpayer dollars will be returned to working Pennsylvanians through the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Tax Credit Program. The credit will equal 10% of their federal Earned Income Tax Credit.
All of the above depend upon the future revenue generation to close the gap. To put this in perspective, “you purchase a yacht, in the hopes of a bonus and a raise next year.” I doubt most of us budget that way at home. Over $1 billion went to the public school funding formula, including cuts to cyber charters for the second year in a row. These cuts are sure to close cyber schools, as they won’t be able to operate under the circumstances. Pennsylvania continues the march backward as it relates to parental choice.
Local schools in the 199th District will receive under the new formula:
• Big Spring: $499,498, plus an increase in cyber funds retained.
• Carlisle: $2,494,113, plus an increase in cyber funds retained.
• Cumberland Valley: $4,018,445, plus an increase in cyber funds retained.
• Shippensburg: $1,648,848, plus an increase in cyber funds retained.
• South Middleton: $277,867, plus an increase in cyber funds retained.
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Veterans’ Trust Fund Grant Applications Now Open
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is inviting applications for the 2026-27 Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF) grant awards.
Funding up to $40,000 is available to veterans’ service organizations and other nonprofit organizations with a mission of serving veterans. Funding up to $15,000 is available to county departments of veterans affairs to support their outreach mission.
Grant applications must be received no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19. Click here for more information about the program and how to apply.
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Oh, Say, Can You Sing?
The Pennsylvania Farm Show is less than two months away, and the Department of Agriculture is inviting Pennsylvania singers to enter “Oh, Say, Can You Sing?” a star-spangled sing-off to win a chance to sing live at the event.
Each morning, from Jan. 10-17, the Farm Show will start by featuring an individual or group singing the national anthem live. Top vote-getters may also be selected to sing at special events and competitions.
The contest is open to Pennsylvania residents of all ages, both individuals and groups, and the deadline for submissions is Nov. 24. For details, including how to enter, click here.
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Improving Guardianship Law
A new state law aims to protect incapacitated Pennsylvanians by requiring courts to promptly conduct a hearing on any petition to modify or terminate guardianship.
This change recognizes the unfortunate truth that there are times when an individual’s appointed guardian exploits, neglects, abuses or otherwise fails to act in their best interests, and the family of that individual is compelled to petition the courts to modify or terminate the guardianship. To ensure timely and just outcomes for the individual and their family, the law requires such petitions to be heard within 30 days.
The law, Act 39 of 2025, will take effect in late December.
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Support for Family Caregivers
November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize the nearly one quarter (23%) of adults in Pennsylvania who are providing largely unpaid and unsupported care to older parents, spouses and other loved ones.
According to AARP, family caregivers provide $22 billion in unpaid care each year in the Commonwealth, helping family members live independently at home and in their communities. Caregiving duties may range from bathing and dressing to grocery shopping, meal prep, managing medications, arranging transportation and more.
Both new and experienced caregivers can find help and support through the PA CareKit, unveiled earlier this year by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. It is available here.
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Go ‘Glamping’ in PA in 2026!
Love the outdoors but not into “roughing it?”
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recently announced it is teaming up with Timberline Glamping Company to offer “glamping” at eight state parks starting in 2026!
Each glamping site (short for “glamorous camping”) features safari-style tents with real beds, heat and air conditioning, lighting, décor and outdoor seating. Each park with glamping sites will include one ADA-accessible tent, ensuring access for all visitors. Add-ons – such as local experiences, firewood bundles, games and gourmet s’mores kits – are also available.
Learn more 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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