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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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Community Turned Out for Big Spring Fish and Game’s Saturday Night Meat Raffle
Last Saturday night, I attended a meat raffle hosted by Big Spring Fish and Game. Events of this nature are a great way to support local organizations and volunteer fire companies. Similar upcoming events in the 199th District include:
• Newburg Hopewell Volunteer Fire Company Meat Raffle on Saturday, Feb. 28.
• Upper Frankford Fire Company Meat Raffle on Friday, March 6.
• Friendship Hose Company No. 1 Meat Raffle on Thursday, March 19.
• Newburg Hopewell Volunteer Fire Company Meat Raffle on Saturday, March 28.
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Yellow Breeches Anglers to Hold Fishing and Outdoor Show
The Yellow Breeches Anglers and Conservation Association will host its 2026 Fishing and Outdoor Show tomorrow at St. Patrick’s Activity Center on 87 Marsh Drive in Carlisle. Doors open at 8 a.m.
This annual event brings together local anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can browse fishing gear, learn from experienced anglers in various seminars, and much more!
Community members of all ages are invited to attend.
The Yellow Breeches Anglers and Conservation Association is part of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Cooperative Nursery Program raising fingerling trout to supplement state stockings.
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Happy National FFA Week!
This week, we celebrate the students, advisors and volunteers who make FFA such a powerful force in our communities. Through agricultural education, leadership development and hands-on experiences, FFA members are preparing for their future in the agriculture industry.
The National FFA Organization continues to inspire the next generation of leaders in agriculture, teaching responsibility, teamwork and the value of hard work both inside and outside the classroom.
Thank you to all members of the FFA. Your dedication ensures a strong and sustainable future for the Commonwealth. Happy National FFA Week!
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State Budget Hearings Continue Next Week
The House Appropriations Committee’s examination of the governor’s proposed 2026-27 state budget got off to a late start this week due to weather-related cancellations on Monday and Tuesday. The postponed hearings, including ones with the Department of Health and the Judiciary, are being rescheduled.
Next week, the committee will hear testimony from several key departments, including Education (Tuesday) and Human Services (Wednesday), whose budgets make up a very large portion of the state’s annual spending. The Office of Attorney General and departments of State, Labor and Industry, Environmental Protection, and Conservation and Natural Resources will also offer testimony and answer questions next 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 and video of prior hearings, click here. .
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Recognizing Rare Disease Day
Saturday, Feb. 28, we recognize Rare Disease Day, a nationally and internationally observed day dedicated to raising awareness for individuals and families affected by rare diseases.
In Pennsylvania alone, an estimated 1.2 million people are living with a rare disease. Behind every number is a child, a parent, a neighbor or a constituent navigating complex medical systems, delayed diagnoses and limited treatment options, and behind that person is a family tirelessly advocating for a better quality of life.
The Pennsylvania Rare Disease Advisory Council works in a bipartisan manner to elevate awareness, improve access to resources and ensure that the voices of the rare disease community are heard across our Commonwealth. Recognition matters. Visibility matters. Your voice matters.
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State Police Seek Applicants for Law and Leadership Academy
The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) is now accepting applications for its 2026 Law and Leadership Academy.
The free, 15-week program is for individuals 18 years or older who have graduated from high school or earned their GED and are interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement.
Participants meet twice a week from May through August, with occasional Saturday sessions, and experience what it’s like to train as a cadet. They undergo educational and physical fitness training similar to that provided in real-life police academies, including running, swimming and marching within a structured paramilitary environment.
Those interested can find more information about the program here. The application period is open until April 3.
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Barb’s Briefing: Education Tax Credits
A new federal program would allow YOU to donate up to $1,700 directly to organizations supporting education and get a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for it!
This means that you could use your money to support LOCAL students. For example, you could donate to Carlisle’s Bison Foundation, Cumberland Valley’s Eagle Foundation, or South Middleton’s Bubbler Foundation (if approved) to help student programs, services and initiatives INSTEAD of sending your HARD-EARNED money to Washington, D.C.
There’s one problem. Gov. Josh Shapiro has so far refused to enroll PA in the program. While our neighbors just across state lines in Ohio and West Virginia will get to enjoy this, Pennsylvanians will continue to see thousands of their tax dollars sent to D.C.
It’s time for PA to join the majority of the country and offer this relief to Pennsylvania taxpayers and students. This is why I have introduced House Bill 1763, which would opt PA in this program. I call on PA House Democrats to bring it up for a vote!
Click here to learn more.
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Report Potholes to PennDOT
‘Tis the season for potholes on our roads and bridges.
To help combat potholes and prevent them from becoming a danger to vehicles and drivers, you can report potholes on state-owned roads to PennDOT. Simply call 1-800-FIX-ROAD or click here to file a report online.
Be prepared to provide specific information to help crews find the pothole, including the name of the county and municipality in which it is located, name of the road, and the closest intersection.
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Utility Pole Work Next Week
PennDOT announced that utility pole replacement work is schedule for next week on York Road (Route 74) and Forge Road (Route 2003) in South Middleton Township, Cumberland County. The work limits on York Road are from Fairview Street to Connector Road and on Forge Road from Fairview Street to Forgedale Drive.
Weather permitting, this work will be performed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting Monday, March 2, and continuing through the week, including Saturday and Sunday, if needed.
There will be lane closures under flagging on both roads. Travelers should be alert and drive with caution through the work zone.
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Emergency Programs Can Save Lives
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation offers two voluntary programs aimed at saving the lives of residents in emergency situations. Participation in both programs is free of charge.
Under PennDOT’s Yellow Dot program, participants fill out a program form with emergency contact, medical contact and medical information, insert it in the program’s folder along with a photo of their face, and then place it in their vehicle’s glove compartment. A yellow dot sticker affixed to the rear window alerts emergency responders to the availability of information to help them provide better care to crash victims.
The Emergency Contact Information program offers Pennsylvania driver’s license and PennDOT-issued ID holders the opportunity to log into a secure database and list two emergency contacts. Participants can update their records as needed, but only law enforcement officials can view the information in the system. In the event of an emergency, law enforcement can use a participant’s ID to find his or her emergency contact information.
The Yellow Dot program is used only in vehicle crashes, but the Emergency Contact Information program can be used in other emergencies as well as crashes.
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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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