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In this update:
Meeting with Constituents in Sheppton and Beyond
Thank you to everyone who attended the two town hall meetings Rep. Dane Watro and I hosted this week! We discussed local roads and bridges that need repairs, fair funding for our public schools, and more. Over 700 people from northern Schuylkill and southern Luzerne counties joined us for a telephone town hall on Wednesday night. On Thursday morning, over 30 people braved the cold and joined us for an in-person town hall meeting in Sheppton. State Grant for Mine Reclamation at Ashland’s Pioneer Tunnel
Photo by Jacqueline Dormer/Staff Photographer for the Republican Herald A much-needed effort to reclaim long-abandoned mine lands near Ashland’s Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train was awarded a state grant for $605,849 this week. We will backfill about 10,000 feet of open mine pits and several deep mine openings. Part of the Mammoth pit will remain open at the end of the rail trail, including a fenced-in safety area for visitors to learn about the impacts of mine reclamation. Rep. Tim Twardzik and I both celebrated this exciting news, which will make the area safer for everyone who visits. There’s no better place to learn more about the backbreaking and dangerous labor that our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents performed in the mines to feed their families. How Can We Fairly Fund our Public Schools?
I spoke with WNEP-TV about the findings of the Basic Education Funding Commission. While there were many areas of bipartisan agreement, including the serious needs to repair and—in high growth areas, to build—more schools and provide more predictability for state funding levels received by school districts, the commission was unable to come to a clear consensus on several other proposals. That work, to seek a bipartisan agreement between the House, the Senate, and the Governor, must continue. Parks in Schuylkill, Carbon Counties Awarded State Grants for Upgrades
Photo from the Republican Herald Rep. Jamie Barton, Rep. Doyle Heffley, and I announced state grants this week that will fund major improvements at parks in Schuylkill and Carbon Counties. This highly competitive funding will be a huge boost for all four parks. Crucial repairs to the Deer Lake Dam can now move forward, ensuring the park will remain safe for visitors. East Brunswick Township Park in McKeansburg will soon have newly renovated tennis courts and a new pickleball court. Memorial Park in Jim Thorpe will soon have two new basketball courts. Christman Field, which serves as the main local Little League field, can now proceed with building a new Little League field, t-ball field, parking lot, walking trail, and more. Penn State Schuylkill Enrollment Increases, Despite Challenges
Penn State Schuylkill has bucked national trends by increasing its enrollment over the past five years. Across the country, enrollment in higher education is down, creating struggles for many colleges and universities. Ever since this campus opened, it’s had an incredible impact on Schuylkill County and the entire region. I’m pleased to see them continue to succeed, despite the serious challenges facing higher education. Best Wishes to Judge Kosciolek!
Yesterday, I congratulated Judge Casimir “Caszy” Kosciolek on his retirement. Judge Kosciolek served as a Magisterial District Judge in the Panther Valley for more than 24 years. Best wishes as you begin this new chapter and thank you for your many years of dedicated service to Carbon County. Students Become “Senators for a Day” in New Argall Report
During a recent “Senator for a Day” seminar, one local high school student noted, “I’m not a big fan of politics, but this totally changed my mind on just how politics works.” The January edition of my monthly tv show highlighted events I hosted at the Career and Technical Institute in Jim Thorpe and at Penn State Schuylkill. Hundreds of students from high schools in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne Counties were given the chance to discuss and debate actual legislation currently under consideration in Harrisburg, including bills to require later school start times, drug testing for welfare recipients, and voter ID. |
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