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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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Accountability and Justice in Second-Degree Murder Sentencing
The House Republican Policy Committee held a hearing this week to examine second-degree murder sentencing in Pennsylvania. The discussion focused on establishing a constitutional sentencing framework that would hold offenders accountable, protect our communities and ensure victims’ families have a meaningful voice in the process.
Testifiers provided insight into sentencing standards, parole eligibility and the safeguards necessary to protect the public and prevent dangerous offenders from returning to Pennsylvania communities.
Please click here to view my questions from the hearing.
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Setting the Record Straight – Online Lies re: Data Centers and Me
1. I am married to Tracy Gleim, a full-time farmer in Middlesex Township.
2. John Gleim, the excavator, is my brother-in-law.
3. Tracy never bought “a whole bunch of brand new blue tractors with his kickback money from data centers.”
There is/was no “kickback money.
Tracy has never owned a new tractor in his life.
Tracy hasn’t bought a tractor in at least 20 years.
If he were going to buy one, it’d be green, since he only uses John Deere. This lie would be laughable if it weren’t so insulting and ludicrous.
4. I was not recently, nor ever, “at a Porsche dealership buying a Porsche with kickback money from the data centers.” Again, there is/was no “kickback money” from anything and I’ve been driving the same vehicle for the past seven years.
5. We never “worked with the data center company,” nor are we “working with them,” nor are we “in bed with the data centers.” Quite to the contrary, part of our farmland was taken from us by PPL by eminent domain and we’re still forced to pay taxes on that land! We are no fans of data centers taking farmland.
6. Tracy was appointed to the township planning commission, on which he has served well and honorably for 28 years. No one has said a negative word about him or his service until - ironically - the data center company purchased the land rights to PenTerra recently; however, the planning commission’s only role in this was in 2005 to approve the land use plan for a housing development.
7. The Gleim family has served the township for more than 50 years and is an exceptional steward of the land.
8. Middlesex Elementary School currently sits on John Gleim’s farm, land that was also taken through eminent domain by the Cumberland Valley School District. In fact, Leida Drive was named after his mother!
9. The data center issue is a local/township government decision. Neither the state nor federal government has a vote on its adoption. The state may regulate data centers, which I voted to do and is public record. Anything reported in the mainstream or social media to the contrary is an abject lie.
10. I voted to allow townships to place a moratorium on data centers. I also voted to tax them and prohibit them from taking farmland.
11. My recent visit to Powerhouse Data Center in Ashburn, VA, was to see firsthand/ educate myself on this issue. I drove my personal vehicle and paid all associated costs myself. I did not, as alleged, use “taxpayer dollars” for that trip. Had I done so, it would be a matter of public record.
12. I recently was accused of cancelling a data center town hall and “conveniently not rescheduling.” This is also a lie. The original town hall was held at the Middlesex Diner and couldn’t hold all the people who RSVP’d. I had to cancel it and almost immediately thereafter scheduled a telephone town hall, in which more than 300 people participated. This summer, I’ve hosted multiple in-person gatherings completely open to the public. I have always made myself publicly available and my office is always open.
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Penn State Ag Progress Days
Earlier this week, I attended Penn State Ag Progress Days, one of Pennsylvania’s premier agricultural events, bringing together farmers, agricultural organizations, industry leaders, and policymakers from across the Commonwealth.
As part of this event, I participated in the Government and Industry Day Luncheon, an opportunity for leaders in agriculture and the government to connect and discuss the issues and opportunities facing Pennsylvania’s ag community.
Ag Progress Days are always a great opportunity to connect with the people who work every day to keep Pennsylvania agriculture strong. Hearing directly from our farmers and agricultural leaders helps ensure their priorities remain part of the conversation in Harrisburg.
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Agricultural Innovation Grant Recipients Announced
The second round of grants through the nation’s first Agricultural Innovation Grant Program were recently announced. The $9.7 million investment will support 97 projects and leverage $4.8 million in private investment — putting innovative technology into practice to help Pennsylvania agricultural businesses enhance profits, efficiency, and production, protect soil and water resources, and generate clean, renewable energy.
Congratulations to the following projects that have been awarded a grant:
Destiny Farmstead – $48,896 for precision dairy automation and behavioral monitoring
Land O’ Lakes – $310,000 (regional impact) to enhance processing facilities for butter and regional milk-balancing
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Weekend Route 11 Culvert Repairs in Middlesex Township
Repairs are scheduled on a culvert on Route 11 north next weekend (Aug. 21-24). Work includes replacing a concrete slab on a culvert on Route 11 north at the northbound Route 11 ramp to southbound Interstate 81 in Middlesex Township near Carlisle.
This work will be performed from 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, to 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 24. Route 11 north will be closed during this time.
A detour will be in place using the ramp to I-81 south to Exit 49 (Route 641/High Street) to exit at Route 641 to I-81 north before returning to Route 11 north.
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AG Warns of Imposter Scams Involving County Sheriff Offices
Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning Pennsylvanians to be aware of an uptick in government imposter scams in which callers pose as members of local county sheriff’s offices. The calls appear to come from the county sheriff’s offices due to the use of number spoofing, making their phone number appear legitimate on caller ID.
The caller may claim to be a sheriff and say an arrest warrant has been issued because you failed to appear for federal grand jury duty or missed a court hearing. The scammer then demands payment for “bail” or a “bond” to avoid arrest.
According to the attorney general, no legitimate law enforcement agency or court will demand immediate payment over the phone. No law enforcement agency, government office or court will ask you to pay any outstanding fees with gift cards, Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency. If you receive one of these calls, hang up, verify the information independently and report it to local authorities, as well as the attorney general’s office.
Click here for more information about red flags to watch out for, and what to do – and what not to do – if you receive one of these calls.
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College Savings Program Fees Waived
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity has announced that asset-based fees for the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) will be waived for the fifth consecutive year, saving Pennsylvania families $5.9 million between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. The fee waiver is funded through surplus earnings of the GSP fund.
The PA 529 GSP allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to help cover tomorrow’s tuition costs.
The PA 529 College and Career Savings program has been helping Pennsylvania families steadily and strategically save for more than 30 years. PA 529 accounts can be used for a wide variety of qualifying technical, collegiate, apprenticeship and credential expenses like tuition, fees, books, equipment, room and board, and more.
Treasury also offers the Morningstar Gold-Rated PA 529 Investment Plan (IP), and together both plans have helped nearly 343,000 account holders save more than $10 billion for future education expenses.
To learn more about PA 529, visit pa529.com or call 800-440-4000.
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School Bells Will Soon Be Ringing!
Classes begin for students in the 199th Legislative District as follows:
• Big Spring School District - Tuesday, Aug. 25
• Carlisle Area School District - Wednesday, Aug. 19
• Cumberland Valley School District - Tuesday, Sept. 1
• Shippensburg Area School District - Thursday, Aug. 20
With school bells soon ringing, this would be good time for a refresher about sharing the road with school buses and how we all play a role in keeping our kids safe.
Click here for more information and tips on school bus safety.
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Elk Cam Fires Back Up!
With the September peak of Pennsylvania’s elk rut right around the corner, you can get a jumpstart on viewing some of those bugling bulls through the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Elk Cam.
The camera is located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s elk range, an area totaling more than 220,000 acres including State Game Lands 311 and Elk State Forest. Video and sound from the camera will be livestreamed here, and viewers can expect not only to see elk, but turkey, deer and other wildlife as well. The top times to view elk on camera are mornings and evenings.
If you’d like to see the bugling season in person, the PA Game Commission reminds visitors to always be “Elk Smart” by giving elk space, never feeding elk and doing your part to ensure the welfare of the herd. Learn more here.
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Trinity Farmers Market Tractor Show
I attended the Trinity Farmers Market’s Annual Tractor Show on Thursday. A big congratulations to Randy Hair and Steve Armstrong for winning first and second place in this year’s contest.
It was great to see such enthusiasm and support for our local agricultural community!
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Upcoming Events
You’re invited to attend any of the upcoming events I’m hosting designed to bring neighbors together, share helpful information and enjoy good conversation. Registration is encouraged for all events and we hope to see you there.
Ice Cream & Issues
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
North Middleton Park Pavilion #1, 1701 Waggoners Gap Road, Carlisle.
Join us for a relaxed evening of ice cream and conversation. This is a great opportunity to discuss local issues, ask questions and connect with others in the community.
Please click here to register.
Farmers Breakfast
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 9-11 a.m.
West Pennsboro Fire Company, 20 Park Road, Plainfield.
Farmers and agricultural professionals are invited to a complimentary breakfast and discussion focused on local farming needs, resources and upcoming initiatives.
Please click here to register.
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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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