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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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Remember the Fallen This Memorial Day
Monday, May 25, is Memorial Day – a day set aside to honor the more than 1.1 million Americans who have died in wars which the United States entered.
Please take a moment this weekend to remember these men and women who sacrificed their lives for us and for our country and consider participating in Memorial Day events in your community.
For more information about Memorial Day and its history, click here.
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Newburg Celebrates Memorial Day
Last Sunday, May 17, residents of Newburg Borough came together on the historic Monument Green for their 96th Annual Memorial Day Observance. This deeply moving ceremony honors the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
The event began with a worship service marked by patriotic readings, heartfelt prayer and the presentation of colors. It brought the community together in solemn reflection. Shippensburg Mayor Shaun Rogers delivered a thoughtful keynote address, expressing profound gratitude for veterans and their families and underscoring the importance of preserving their legacy
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McCormick Staff to Visit Our Carlisle District Office
On Thursday, May 28, a member of U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick’s staff will meet with constituents in our district office at 47 E. North St., Carlisle, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. That person will be assisting constituents who need help working with any of the following federal agencies:
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• U.S. Department of Defense
• U.S. Department of Education
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• U.S. Department of State
• U.S. Department of Transportation
• Internal Revenue Service
• U.S. Small Business Administration
• Social Security Administration
• U.S. Citizens and Immigration Services
• U.S. Department of Labor
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
No appointment is necessary; however, they will be operating on a first-come, first-served basis while they are at our office for the day.
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Policy Committee Hearing on Affordability Solutions to Housing
I participated in Thursday’s House Policy Committee hearing in Lancaster via Zoom. We heard testimony from Hess Homes, Landmark Homes and Acorn Homes on countless barriers that keep homes from being affordable in our state.
Outside of building codes and energy requirements, zoning constraints, especially the conditional use process that takes 6-12 months, have no checks and balances. Zoning density is seen as a barrier, as is the land development process (there are 11 regulatory bodies to go through), stormwater management and the permitting process. For example, a Pennsylvania developer has to go through a rigorous permitting process if they want to develop more than one acre of land. In surrounding states, that number is five acres. If a developer received approval from the Department of Environmental Protection(DEP), and DEP changes its regulations within the timeframe of the building process, the developer pays for additional costs to meet their specifications, which wasn’t in the original scope and cost of the project. All costs associated with the building process are passed on to the home buyer.
One testifier explained that greater alignment needs to happen between municipalities and county plans and the state must strive for consistency in land development plans. He suggested a statewide review of all ordinances for different styles of homes, so all home buyers can enter the market. Standardization of water quality for all building projects would also be very helpful.
In 2025, the median age of a new home buyer was 35 years old. Seniors can remember a time when a young home buyer could start out purchasing a condo, then sell it and buy a townhouse, then sell that and purchase a home. There was a path for a young couple just starting out.
Today’s extra costs for regulations and zoning reduce or eliminate profit margins for developers, making it almost impossible to build without subsidizing either the developer or the new home buyer. Reducing the regulatory burden and streamlining the development aspect of new homes would make the market more affordable for everyone. All panel members were willing to meet again with the committee to work on legislative initiatives that would help the process. In addition, Rep. Dave Zimmerman of Lancaster County has authored legislation that would help if passed.
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Mental Health Awareness Month
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and continuing the fight against the stigma people face when seeking help.
In Pennsylvania, mental health services are administered through county Mental Health and Developmental Services programs. To learn more about mental health care in Pennsylvania, click here.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
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Fish for Free This Sunday!
This Sunday, May 24, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will host a Fish for Free day to allow anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish on all Pennsylvania waterways. No license is required, but all other fishing regulations still apply.
This is the first of two dates set by the PFBC to enhance fishing opportunities. The next day is Independence Day, Saturday, July 4. This is a great way to expose the next generation of anglers to the outdoors. More information about fishing in Pennsylvania is available here.
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Bike Safely!
May is National Bicycle Safety Month. The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code considers "pedalcycles" as vehicles. That means bicyclists must follow traffic laws, such as obeying all traffic signals and riding in the same direction as traffic. If you ride in violation of the traffic laws, you greatly increase your risk of a crash and will likely be found at fault in the event of an accident.
Here are some additional safety tips for cyclists:
• Always wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet.
• Use proper hand signals when turning or stopping to communicate with drivers.
• Wear bright or reflective clothing to help drivers see you.
• Regularly maintain your bike to keep it working smoothly.
• Equip your bike with reflectors, a white headlight, and a bell or horn.
• Ride a car-door width away from parked vehicles.
Motor vehicles must allow 4 feet of distance when overtaking a bicycle and travel at a careful and prudent speed. It is the motorist’s responsibility to provide the distance, not the cyclist. For more bicycle safety tips, please visit penndot.pa.gov.
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Memorial Day Office Closures
Our offices are closed today (Friday, May 22), and Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. Regular business operations will resume on Tuesday, May 26.
We appreciate your understanding and wish you a safe and meaningful holiday weekend.
PennDOT driver license and photo centers will also be closed Saturday, May 23, and Monday, May 25, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.
Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, dmv.pa.gov. Services include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.
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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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