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In this update:

• Basic Education Funding Commission Report Recommends Property Tax Reform
• Telephone AND In-Person Town Hall Meetings with Rep. Dane Watro
• Misguided Plan to Remove William Penn Statue Quickly Scrapped
• 2024 Pennsylvania Farm Show Ends Saturday
• Overnight Accommodations at Eckley Miners’ Village?
• Anthracite Heritage Month Events Showcase Local History
• Themed Train Rides Coming Soon

Basic Education Funding Commission Report Recommends Property Tax Reform

The Basic Education Funding Commission wrapped up its work this week after 14 public hearings, 92 testifiers, and over 1,100 public comments.

Hundreds of people from across Pennsylvania asked us to either eliminate or significantly change our unfair and archaic school property tax system. To me, that is the most important piece of the education funding puzzle.

The issues before the commission were wicked problems – problems with multiple conflicting definitions and no clear solutions. This debate will continue as the Senate and House approach the 2024-25 state budget process.

Read the reports here. 

Telephone AND In-Person Town Hall Meetings with Rep. Dane Watro

Next week, Rep. Dane Watro and I will be hosting a telephone town hall AND an in-person town hall to hear your questions about our state government.

Our telephone town hall will be taking place on Wednesday, January 17. Just before 6 p.m., residents of Rep. Watro’s 116th State House District in southern Luzerne and northern Schuylkill Counties should receive a phone call inviting you to participate in the discussion. You can ask us a question or simply choose to listen to the conversation. If you do not receive a call, dial 1-877-229-8493, and when asked for the ID Code, please enter 122199.

See the information above about our town hall meeting in Sheppton on January 18.

Misguided Plan to Remove William Penn Statue Quickly Scrapped

In a quick reversal, the National Parks Service has withdrawn its highly controversial plan to remove a statue of William Penn from the site of his former home in Philadelphia.

It’s baffling that the federal government even considered removing this monument. Penn was not just the founder of Pennsylvania – his tolerance and defense of religious freedom helped shape our nation.

I have introduced legislation with several other PA State Senators to protect our historic monuments, memorials, markers, and statues from those who seek to erase our history. It’s time to turn this bill into a law!

2024 Pennsylvania Farm Show Ends Saturday

The 2024 Pennsylvania Farm Show ends on Saturday. This year’s event showcased many local farmers and employers. Thea Sten, a student from Blue Mountain Middle School, sang the national anthem at the opening ceremony.

Special congratulations to Schuylkill County Commissioner Boots Hetherington, who won first prize for his ornamental Indian corn; Benigna’s Creek Vineyard and Winery, who won a double gold medal for their 2023 Traminette; and Stoker’s Brewery in Tamaqua, who won awards for their KINDLING KWAD Belgian Dark Strong Ale.

Congrats to all!

Overnight Accommodations at Eckley Miners’ Village?

Eckley Miners’ Village Museum was awarded a grant this week to assist with their ongoing efforts to preserve their historic patch-town homes, while also beginning the process of adapting several of the existing homes into a research center and overnight lodging for visitors. This will not only assist Eckley in further rehabilitation efforts but will also provide much-needed—and very unique—accommodations for visitors to White Haven, Jim Thorpe, and beyond.

Want to learn more about how our parents and grandparents who worked in the coal mines lived in the days when coal was king?  Find more information about everything at Eckley here.

Anthracite Heritage Month Events Showcase Local History

January marks Anthracite Mining Heritage Month.

Throughout the month, the Anthracite Heritage Foundation will be hosting events so we can all learn about the backbreaking and dangerous labor that our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents performed to feed our families.

January 18: The Penn-Anthracite Society of Mining Engineers will host a program on “The History of Anthracite: Past, Present and Future” at 6:30 p.m. at Mountain Valley Club House in Barnesville.

January 25: The Reading Anthracite Public Program will feature Eric Bella, a mining engineer, on the “History of Philadelphia and Reading Coal & Iron Company and Reading Anthracite” from 6:30 to 7 p.m. at the Reading Anthracite Building in Pottsville.

January 27: The No. 9 Coal Mine & Museum in Lansford will be hosting a special tour led by their president, Zach Petroski, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., including a lecture and book signing by Mitch Troutman, the author of “The Bootleg Coal Rebellion.”

January 31: The Pennsylvania Anthracite Society of Mining Engineers will host speaker David Williams on “The Sheppton Mine Disaster of 1963” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hazle Township Municipal Building.

Themed Train Rides Coming Soon

Themed train rides courtesy of Reading and Northern Railroad are coming soon!

Since the passenger train rides started again, they have proven to be a significant boost for all the communities they travel through, helping to breathe new life into White Haven, Tamaqua, Jim Thorpe, and Port Clinton by bringing new people to the area who visit local small businesses and restaurants.

Learn more about these rides here.

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