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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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Honoring Dr. Donald Roeder
Earlier this week, I attended a meeting of the Cumberland County Honor Guard to present Dr. Donald Roeder with a House citation.
Dr. Roeder joined the Navy while at Jefferson Medical College and was commissioned as an Ensign during his junior year. After graduation and an internship, he served as a lieutenant and general medical officer in Iceland and Virginia Beach.
He later completed a four-year surgical residency and two years of thoracic surgery training at Bethesda Naval Hospital, caring for Marines and sailors who were wounded in Vietnam. After 12 years of service and reaching the rank of Commander, he moved to Carlisle in 1974, when he practiced general and thoracic surgery for more than 45 years.
In 2001, Dr. Roeder began volunteering with the Cumberland County Honor Guard as a bugler, sounding Taps for nearly 2,000 veterans. He is active in the Carlisle Town Band and Taps for Veterans(he is pictured above receiving a special recognition award from the Association of Concert Bands for more than five decades of service to the band).
Now 90 years old, he remains dedicated to honoring veterans and serving his community.
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Supporting Our Local Fire, EMS Agencies
Emergency responders in the 199th Legislative District are being awarded more than $172,000 in grants from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC).
The grant recipients are as follows:
• Citizens Fire Company No. 1 - $28,136.
• Cumberland Goodwill EMS - $15,000.
• Empire Friendship Firefighters Association - $15,000.
• Friendship Hose Company No. 1 - $14,281.
• Friendship Hose Company EMS - $15,000
• Newburg-Hopewell Fire Company - $14,281.
• North Middleton Township Fire Company No. 1 - $15,249.
• Shippensburg Area EMS - $15,000
• Upper Frankford Twp Fire Company - $13,250.
• West Pennsboro Fire Company - $13,044.
• Yellow Breeches EMS - $15,000
The funding comes from an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the OFSC and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. All funding originates from slot machine gaming proceeds, not General Fund tax revenue.
Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, recruitment and retention, public education about fire prevention and reduction of existing debt. All companies that apply and meet OFSC requirements receive funding. Companies must file a grant agreement with OSFC to receive their funds.
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A Closer Look at the Governor’s $53.26 Billion Budget
The House Appropriations Committee’s examination of the governor’s proposed 2026-27 state budget gets underway next week with the start of budget hearings.
The committee will hear from officials with the Judiciary, Department of Corrections, and Board of Probation and Parole on Monday. The departments of Health, Insurance, Agriculture, and Community and Economic Development, along with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, will round out the week.
The governor proposed a $53.26 billion budget earlier this month, representing a $2.72 billion, or 5.4%, increase over the current fiscal year. Under current law, revenues are projected to increase by less than $1 billion, or 1.9%.
Budget hearings will stream live at PABudget.com and PAHouseGOP.com. For a full schedule of hearings, click here.
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Pro-Consumer Auto Insurance Bill Now Law
Legislation designed to protect consumers who change auto insurance carriers was recently signed into law.
Act 3 of 2026 requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to create an online verification system to modernize its processes for ensuring motorists are carrying insurance on their vehicles, as required by law.
Under prior law, insurance companies would notify PennDOT when an auto insurance policy was canceled, but companies were not required to notify PennDOT when a driver acquires a new policy. If vehicle owners missed written notification from PennDOT to provide proof of insurance, those vehicle owners were then saddled with a three-month suspension of their registration.
The government will make sure that you have auto insurance, but you still do not need to show ID to vote.
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New Law Puts Cursive Instruction Back in Schools
Recognizing the educational and historical value of cursive handwriting, the General Assembly recently passed and the governor signed into law legislation to bring cursive instruction back to Pennsylvania classrooms.
Studies show that writing in cursive activates brain regions tied to memory, language and critical thinking. It also builds fine motor skills, improving coordination and dexterity. These are all benefits that extend well beyond the classroom.
Cursive is also a key to unlocking history. Foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were penned in cursive. Ensuring future generations can read and write in this style keeps those texts accessible, strengthening civic engagement and historical literacy.
Act 2 of 2026 takes effect in mid-April.
I have heard from many parents and grandparents that they are dismayed that their student cannot read notes written in cursive from them. This was much needed legislation.
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MCAP Offers Service, Education Opportunity
Students looking for an affordable higher education and an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth may be interested in the prestigious Military College Assistance Program (MCAP).
Available through a partnership with the Pennsylvania National Guard and Valley Forge Military College (VFMC), MCAP provides full tuition coverage for all four of a student’s undergraduate years in exchange for eight years of service with the National Guard. Students will receive a $420 monthly stipend as they complete their first two years of education at VFMC and then may transfer to another Pennsylvania school to continue receiving the MCAP tuition benefits.
Learn more about the program here. The deadline to apply is Feb. 28.
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Carlisle Events Meeting
We had a meeting this week in anticipation of major traffic delays starting in the spring. The National Guard is expanding operations off Cavalry Road, and Carlisle Borough is working on N. Hanover Street. Both projects may cause significant traffic delays when the car shows begin.
The meeting also included representatives from North Middleton Township, Sen. Greg Rothman’s staff and Sen. Doug Mastriano’s staff. There will be follow-up meetings held with the Department of General Services on the delayed project.
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Traffic Delays in South Middleton Township
Beginning this Monday, Feb. 23, and continuing all next week, utility pole replacement work is scheduled for York Road/Route 74 and Forge Road in South Middleton Township. The work limits on York Road are from Fairview Street to Connector Road and on Forge Road from Fairview Street to Forgedale Drive.
Work will be performed each day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and there will be lane closures under flagging on both roads.
Please be alert and drive with caution through the work zone.
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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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