MAR LIN – The May edition of the local TV program hosted by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) highlights a bipartisan public hearing about the serious issues facing rural childcare providers in Pennsylvania. The hearing was hosted by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania at the Schuylkill County Technology Center – South Campus, and featured state legislators, local business leaders, and childcare professionals.
“Quality childcare is a necessity not just for families in our area, but across Pennsylvania,” Argall said. “Strong Pre-K education programs help parents return to and remain in the workforce. As the chair of the Senate Education Committee, I will continue to support the dedicated teachers and childcare professionals who do this important work, day in and day out.”
Argall held a press conference last week with a coalition of state and federal legislators, after-school directors, and school district administrators from northeast Pennsylvania to fight for the continued funding of the SHINE and ACHIEVE after school programs. These programs serve nearly 2,000 children and were recently denied funding by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
“If we do not receive concrete assurances from Education Secretary Dr. Khalid Mumin or the Governor’s office that these programs will be funded, I have a new gavel as the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and I know how to use it,” Argall said. “Public hearings will be convened to demand a solution.
“The thousands of children who will soon lose access to these proven educational programs deserve nothing less.”
This edition of the Argall Report will air on:
- Blue Ridge Communications (Channel 13) every Monday at 10 a.m. and every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m.
- Service Electric Cablevision: Hazleton, Mahanoy City; Shenandoah – on Hazleton’s WYLN TV 35 Channel 507 and MetroCast Communications Channel 10. Please check local listings for airtimes.
- Berks Community Television (Comcast – Channel 15 and Service Electric – Channel 19) on Thursday at 10 p.m. and Friday at 8 p.m.
The Argall Report is also available online at https://www.senatorargall.com/argallreport/
CONTACT: Jim Brugger