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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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House GOP Launches Effort to Cut Costs for Families
With Pennsylvanians facing rising costs on everyday essentials, House Republican policymakers launched their “Freedom Through Affordability” initiative – a plan to deliver tax relief and lower costs to help make Pennsylvania a more affordable place to live, work and raise a family.
The initiative, unveiled at a Capitol press conference earlier this week, includes a series of multi-billion-dollar tax cuts and sales tax holidays aimed at providing immediate relief to families and workers struggling under the weight of higher prices.
Anchoring the initiative are proposals calling for six-month suspensions of the state’s gas tax, which is one of the highest in the nation, as well as the Gross Receipts Tax on both electricity and cell phone services. Another proposal would reduce the state’s Personal Income Tax (PIT) rate from 3.07% to 2.99%, also for six months.
Additional sales tax holidays are being proposed on an array of items, from sports equipment to help make it more affordable for kids to participate in these valuable activities, to spring cleaning and gardening supplies and tools, to car seats, strollers and other items to help new parents with the rising costs of a growing family.
To highlight the importance of the effort and collect feedback from Pennsylvanians about the challenges they face, the Policy Committee is also launching the “Affordability Starts Here” tour starting in Hanover, York County, next week. For more information, visit policycommittee.com.
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Session Week Updates
Session week was packed with people, lobbyists and legislation due to a short session month because of special elections. During the week, I met with PA athletic trainers, the United Way (and our own Cate Mellen, along with 211 advocates), the PA Homecare Association, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Capital Area Intermediate Unit 15, a Royal Rangers badge recipient and Big Spring FFA.
Most of these meetings pertained to budgetary requests but it was great to hear the local issues and prepare to help. I will be giving a more in-depth report on legislation in next week’s newsletter.
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Cumberland County Farm Bureau Spring Meeting
I attended Monday evening’s Cumberland County Farm Bureau meeting at the Penn Township Fire Hall. We heard updates from local commissioners, FFA students, the conservation district and state representatives. I spoke about the status of the food processing residual bills, data center legislation, farmland preservation and upcoming legislation on National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting.
Other updates included where we stand in the state budget process and appropriations. The Cumberland County Farm Bureau discussed its upcoming policy initiatives and lobbying efforts.
Anyone can be a member of the county farm bureau and you can check out more of their information by clicking here.
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FFA Legislative Breakfast
I had a great time speaking with my local FFA chapters at the Pennsylvania FFA legislative breakfast. These students are given relevant issues of the day and taught how the legislative process works.
I let them know there are only seven full-time farmers out of 203 members in the House and we needed their input. I encouraged them to get involved in state government and thanked them for their participation.
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State Leaders Unite to Unveil Anti Human Trafficking Caucus
I am honored to be a member of the Anti-Human Trafficking Caucus and support its legislative efforts surrounding House Bill 910 and House Bill 1286. Carlisle is one of the top cities in PA where human trafficking is an issue due to the multiple trucking roads that converge here.
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Serving as Republican Chair for the Employment and UC Subcommittee
I am honored to be named the chair of the Employment and Unemployment Compensation Subcommittee of the House Labor and Industry Committee. Workforce development is a key focus of mine since being elected. My office was also instrumental in helping hundreds of people navigate COVID when layoffs happened, and we continue our work in that space even today.
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Bill Would Provide Another Tool to Combat Fentanyl Crisis
Legislation that would develop standards to certify police dogs trained to detect fentanyl passed the House of Representatives this week with my support.
The measure was introduced after law enforcement agencies asked that standards be established for training and certifying dogs to detect fentanyl, which is involved in one in four opioid-related overdose deaths in Pennsylvania. These standards would be developed in consultation with dog trainers and handlers, medical professionals, and veterinarians.
House Bill 1344 now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
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Saturday is Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day!
Just a reminder this Saturday, March 28, is Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day across the Commonwealth.
To participate, youth anglers (those under the age of 16) must have either a free Mentored Youth Permit or a Voluntary Youth Fishing License. More information about the mentored youth program, as well as a link to obtain a permit or license, is available here.
The following Saturday, April 4, is the first day of trout season. If you haven’t already, be sure to buy your fishing licenses and permits and get your gear organized. Visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) online at fishandboat.com or the FishBoatPA mobile app for more information.
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If your vehicle's license plate is damaged or hard to read, please mark your calendar for this event and get yourself a new plate.
Anyone planning to attend should click here to register in advance.
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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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