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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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Hearing on Restoring Energy Affordability and Reliability
Republican lawmakers from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia recently convened a multi-state policy hearing in Annapolis, MD, to address a growing regional crisis: skyrocketing energy bills, mounting threats to grid reliability and policies that prioritize political agendas over practical solutions.
Because our states share the same electric grid, transmission lines, and often the same challenges, energy policy decisions in one state inevitably ripple across the entire region. This interconnected reality demands a collaborative approach to ensure energy remains affordable and reliable for everyone. My comments following the hearing are in the video above.
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Recent Meetings
I recently conducted several meetings at my district office, including a discussion with the Carlisle Area School District regarding its budget challenges. Despite two years of reductions in funding for cyber charter schools, money following the student still strains the district’s budget. I provided counterpoints to their cost-per-student analysis, noting higher figures are influenced by expenses such as facilities and other operational costs, which impact the amount of money leaving the district.
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HHS Secretary Launches ‘Take Back Your Health’ Tour in Harrisburg
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited Harrisburg this week to kick off his “Take Back Your Health” tour. He discussed the new food pyramid which updates our country’s dietary guidelines.
The new food pyramid emphasizes eating “real food.” A heavy focus has been made on eating more nutrient-dense foods such as proteins, dairy, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats and whole grains, and reducing the consumption of highly processed foods.
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Buck a Book Reading at Hamilton Elementary
The Buck-A-Book Literacy Campaign, organized by the Carlisle Employment Skills Center, supports adult literacy programs while encouraging kindergarten through fifth-grade students in the Carlisle Area School District to develop an interest in reading and engage with their community. All funds raised directly benefit adult education initiatives provided by the center.
I had the privilege this week of visiting Hamilton Elementary School, where I read a book about farming to a fifth-grade class. I greatly enjoyed reading to the students about farming, which remains a vital and essential vocation in Pennsylvania.
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Gleim, Rothman Announce CFA Grants for Projects in Carlisle, Newville Boroughs
State Sen. Greg Rothman (R-34) and Rep. Barb Gleim (R-Cumberland) have secured $650,000 in Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) grants for Carlisle and Newville boroughs. The funding is administered through the authority’s Multimodal Transportation Fund and PA Small Water and Sewer programs.
“Maintaining and improving infrastructure are core government functions,” Rothman said. “These roadway and water projects will benefit many residents by improving safety, service and reliability for years to come.”
“This grant funding is essential for the health and growth of our communities,” added Gleim. “Ensuring residents have clean, reliable water and sewer services, as well as safe means of travel and transportation, are essential in every community, which is why I advocated for this funding.”
The grants recipients are:
• Carlisle Borough - $400,000 for completion of a planned shared-use path along Route 74 that will allow students to walk or ride to and from the Carlisle Area School District campus.
• Carlisle Borough - $150,000 for Carlisle Borough’s Basin 2 Sewer Rehabilitation Project, which will improve wastewater service for the Borough of Carlisle; and North Middleton, South Middleton, West Pennsboro, Middlesex and Silver Spring townships.
• Newville Borough Water and Sewer Authority - $100,000 for purchase of a back-up generator at its water and sewer treatment plant.
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National School Choice Week
National School Choice Week is an annual celebration dedicated to raising awareness about the variety of K–12 education options available to families, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, online learning, and homeschooling. This nationwide initiative emphasizes the importance of empowering parents and students to select the learning environment that best meets their unique needs and goals.
School choice plays a vital role in ensuring every child has access to an education that fits his or her individual learning style and aspirations. Throughout the week, families, educators, and communities across the country will participate in events and activities to highlight the value of educational options.
Click here for information on school choice in Pennsylvania.
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Applications Open for Youth Camp
The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), in collaboration with the Pennsylvania National Guard and American Legion, is seeking applicants for its annual youth camp. The Elmer Hafer-American Legion-State Police-National Guard Youth Camp will be held June 7-13, at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County.
The six-day program is for teenagers ages 15-17 who are interested in exploring careers in Pennsylvania law enforcement or the military. Cadets will take part in a wide range of hands-on learning experiences and physical fitness training designed to build their understanding of law enforcement, as well as their confidence, teamwork and leadership abilities.
Applicants must be 15-17 years old at the start of the camp. Candidates should be physically fit, in good health and maintain a strong academic record. Cadets are sponsored by local American Legion posts, so there is no cost to participate.
More information is available at pa-legion.com, where applicants also can access the online application.
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Applications for 2026 Pennsylvania House Scholarship Available
High school seniors interested in receiving financial assistance to help pay for college can now apply for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ Scholarship.
Each year the program awards a four-year scholarship to two students preparing for post-secondary education. It is open to graduating high school seniors who are Pennsylvania residents with plans to attend a Pennsylvania college, university or career school as a full-time student.
To qualify, students must have attained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in high school. Other factors taken into consideration for the awards are a student’s commitment to community, leadership qualities, extracurricular activities and financial need.
The scholarship program is administered through the Foundation for Enhancing Communities. Click here for more information and an application. The deadline to apply is April 15.
The scholarship is privately funded by individual and corporate donors; no tax or other public funds are used. Scholarships are awarded through an independent panel of judges chosen by the foundation.
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Be Prepared for Winter Weather
With some winter weather in the forecast this weekend for many areas of the state, it’s a good time to make sure your vehicle is ready for winter travel.
Make sure your vehicle is in good working order, such as checking fluid levels; that the heater and defroster are working properly, as well as your radio in order to receive weather and traffic reports; tires are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth; and wipers and lights are working.
Try to avoid traveling in severe winter weather, but if you have to go, bring a winter emergency travel kit, including a blanket and warm clothes, jumper cables, small shovel, first aid kit, medications for you and your passengers, and water and nonperishable food. A full list of suggested items is available here.
Also, keep these safe winter driving tips in mind: Slow down and increase your following distance; avoid sudden stops and starts; beware of black ice – roads that look wet but are actually frozen; use extra caution on bridges and ramps, as they tend to freeze first; do not use cruise control while driving on snow-covered roads; remove snow and ice from windows and mirrors; and do not pass or get between trucks plowing in a plow line.
Be sure to remove snow and ice from the hood and roof of your vehicle. Under state law, if snow or ice from your vehicle strikes a vehicle or person and causes death or injury, you can be ticketed. Click here for more information about winter driving safety.
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Telephone Town Hall
You’re invited to take part in a telephone town hall meeting I’m hosting this Wednesday, Jan. 28. Just before 5:30 p.m. that afternoon, you’ll receive a recorded message inviting you to stay on the line and participate in a discussion of state and local issues.
In addition to providing an update on the latest news from the state Capitol, I’ll be answering questions on various topics. You may stay on the call as long as you like; however, the discussion will end at 6:30 p.m.
To ensure you receive an invitation, please click here to register your name. I hope to speak with you on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
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Pizza & Policy
On Thursday, Feb. 12, I’ll be hosting Pizza and Policy from 6-7 p.m. at Newburg Hopewell Fire Company, 121 Lovers Lane, Newburg.
This is an opportunity for you to catch up on the latest news from Harrisburg, as well as ask questions on various topics.
If you plan to attend, please click here to register for the event.
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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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