Q&A with Michael Barley

This conversation has been edited and condensed for length and clarity. 

How did you get involved with government affairs?

In 2003, I began actively engaging in politics. I volunteered for the Republican State Committee on the ’04 presidential, senatorial, and row office races that cycle. Little did I know that my volunteer role would not only fuel my passion for politics but also serve as a catalyst for my career moving forward. My first career was answering the phones for the Republican State Committee, which led me to become Deputy Political Director, Communications Director, and eventually Executive Director. I left the state committee to serve as campaign manager and senior advisor to Governor Tom Corbett and Lt. Governor Jim Cawley. After my service with the governor and lieutenant governor, I joined Long Nyquist and Associates and served public and corporate clients, as well as associations, advocating for issues dealing with education, energy, broadband, gaming, and everything in between. It was a great experience for the role I currently occupy. Additionally, I worked as the general consultant on several statewide, congressional, legislative, and local elections. That experience has served as the bedrock for shaping the professional I am today.

What’s your favorite part about working in your current role?

After four years as a contract lobbyist, I began working with Pace-O-Matic in 2019 on the skill game issue. I had previously represented casinos, so I was familiar with aspects of the gaming industry. What drew me to Pace-O-Matic, and the skill game issue, were the stories of local businesses, fraternal clubs, and volunteer organizations who were benefiting from the supplemental revenue these games were providing. For the first time, a product was being offered that supported these businesses and organizations and made a real difference in their bottom line. During the pandemic, the revenue our games provided made the difference between keeping the doors open and closing. As a native of Pennsylvania who spent most of my life within the shadow of the Capitol, my current role has allowed me to see how state government works in multiple states and jurisdictions. Pennsylvania is one of the few full-time legislatures in the nation, so becoming accustomed to the pace, no pun intended, of other states, presented a learning experience. Additionally, my favorite part of my job is working with amazing colleagues and partners. Seeing the impact we make on real Pennsylvanians every day is inspiring.

What would you like people to know about Pace-O-Matic and Pennsylvania Skill?

Pace-O-Matic is a true success story. Our founder, Michael Pace, is a genius. He and his wife, Karmin, are civic-minded and truly committed to volunteer service and supporting local communities.

The future of Pace-O-Matic and Pennsylvania Skill is bright. For more than four years, we have advocated and led the charge to pass legislation to fairly regulate and tax the skill game industry. Throughout my 20 years involved in the Pennsylvania government, I have never heard of another industry operating a legal product raising their hand and asking for additional taxation and regulation. Thankfully, Gov. Josh Shapiro supports finding a solution to regulating the skill game industry that supports small businesses, fraternal and volunteer organizations, the Commonwealth, and hard-working Pennsylvanians.