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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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Happy Easter!
Wishing everyone celebrating Easter this weekend a blessed and holy day filled with hope and peace. In observance of Easter, my offices will be closed on Good Friday, April 3, and Monday, April 6.
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South Middleton Township Breaks Ground on New Water Storage Facility
I recently attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the new 3-million-gallon water storage tank. This facility will improve service for roughly 4,500 customers in the township and nearby municipalities, while also boosting fire protection capacity.
These enhancements will benefit local residents, farms and major employers.
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Making Child Care More Affordable
I visited the YWCA in Hanover on Monday for a policy hearing on making childcare more affordable in Pennsylvania. The discussion focused on commonsense solutions to reduce costs, expand access and support working parents while ensuring providers can continue to deliver quality care across the Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania is the third-worst state for childcare freedom, ranking 48th. Still, our state spending on childcare subsidies totaled nearly $500 million in last year’s budget. Testimony during the hearing proved that burdensome regulations focus on what is visible, that do not affect quality of care but increase the cost of care.
For instance, if a program decides to go to the pool, the state requires them to supply their own lifeguard, even if the pool already has one. Group supervisors must have a college degree, even if that same person has more than 25 years of childcare experience.
One testifier claimed that the PA Department of Education and Department of Human Services (DHS) are not in cinq, as school age children are not allowed to go to the bathroom by themselves (requiring a staff person to leave the room). DHS is over-regulating the care facilities, so much so that even the room temperature is an issue.
Group home childcare is facing extinction, even though it’s the most affordable. Insurance and zoning are huge issues, because they treat the home as a commercial operation.
There are more than 3,000 positions available statewide. York County has an Every Child Has Opportunities program which are innovative grants for expansion of childcare facilities and low interest loans. But 80% of families are subsidized by taxpayer dollars due to the increased year-over-year costs.
One of the most significant points discussed was the fact that a student can’t student teach in childcare for childcare. A student must teach in an elementary school to fulfill his or her student teaching requirements. This is not common sense, as are most of the regulations we heard hindering the industry.
Most of the employees in this field are doing it because they love children. That is evident by the amount they get paid. At the very least, we need to streamline excessive worker credentials, while reducing regulation that place additional costs onto facilities. I am sure there will be legislation coming out of this hearing that will be beneficial, while keeping children safe in a learning environment.
Please click here to view a recording of the hearing.
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Carlisle Chamber Sunrise with State Reps Breakfast Update
State Rep. Thomas Kutz and I attended Tuesday’s Sunrise with State Reps Breakfast hosted by the Carlisle Chamber of Commerce. We discussed several key issues that are affecting the 199th District such as Interstate 81 improvement projects, workforce development and apprenticeships and ways to continue to support the growth of Cumberland County’s economy.
In just about every meeting I have participated in over the last two months, the issue of data centers in Cumberland County is discussed. While this is a local issue and vote, there are standard regulations the state is discussing that would work to safeguard and protect the environment and pass through increased costs to consumers.
We talked about statewide energy policy as we produce an abundance of clean energy that is currently exported across state lines.
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Carlisle Regional Special Police Honored
On Thursday, I attended a Carlisle Regional Special Police meeting and honored all members who responded to 100 or more calls throughout 2025.
Our special police are essential to a safe and effective emergency response. They manage traffic, secure scenes and protect first responders so firefighters can focus on the job. Their behind the scenes work keeps incidents orderly, responders safe and the community moving smoothly during emergencies.
We can’t thank you enough for the important work you do.
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LIHEAP Deadline Extended to May 8
The deadline for Pennsylvanians to apply for help with home heating bills has been extended until May 8.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides home energy assistance grants to help with heating bills and crisis grants for emergencies, such as fuel shortages or broken heating equipment.
To qualify for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania, you must meet income requirements, which are set based on your household size. For example, the maximum annual income for an individual is $23,940 and for a family of four it is $49,500. For each additional person, add $8,520 to the income limit.
Residents may apply for LIHEAP online at dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS, by phone at 1-866-857-7095 or by contacting the County Assistance Office in their county of residence.
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Student Contests Celebrate America’s 250th
Students across Pennsylvania are encouraged to participate in contests created by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Historical Commission to mark our nation’s 250th birthday. The contests celebrate our state’s and nation’s history, while encouraging students to learn about the work and role of the courts. Winners will be notified May 8 and recognized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court at the May 18 oral argument session at the Capitol in Harrisburg.
The first is a coloring contest open to students ages 5-11 and gives young students the opportunity to create their own judge.
The second is an essay contest open to students in grades 3-12. The essays are being judged on creativity and overall quality when answering the following questions:
• Question (Grades 3-5) – Why is the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania important?
• Question (Grades 6-12) – Which Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice inspires you and why?
Instructions for the coloring contest can be found here.
Information about the essay contest can be found here.
Students and parents are encouraged to submit photo entries on Instagram by tagging @pennsylvaniacourts or essay entries can be submitted by email to CommunicationsOffice@pacourts.us or mail to: AOPC Communications, c/o Stacey Witalec, 601 Commonwealth Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17106. The deadline for entries is April 24.
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Trout Season Opens Saturday!
Good luck to all the anglers heading out this weekend for the opening day of trout season on Saturday, April 4. For everything you need to know about fishing in the Commonwealth, including licensing and stocking information, visit fishandboat.com or check out the FishBoatPA mobile app.
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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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