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In this Update:
Senate Majority Policy Committee: Fighting Blight Revitalizes Neighborhoods
At the invitation of Sen. Lynda Culver, I chaired a Senate Majority Policy Committee roundtable discussion in Sunbury on Monday about best practices for addressing vacant and blighted buildings. For many of our older coal region communities, restoring or demolishing these dangerous, vermin-infested properties is a top priority. Blight can spread through a neighborhood like the plague, but the cure can also be contagious. We’ve seen in Jim Thorpe, Tamaqua, Hazleton, and other communities that the restoration or demolition of vacant eyesores drives up property values, encourages new employers to set up shop, and inspires further beautification of surrounding buildings. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions to this problem. Roundtable discussions like this one allow those in the trenches of this battle to share what strategies have worked for them AND what paths to avoid. We’ve created new laws to provide funding for demolitions and support local officials after similar roundtable discussions in the past. Thank you to everyone who joined us, including Reps. Michael Stender and JoAnne Stehr, Sens. Pat Stefano and Joe Picozzi, former Rep. Kurt Masser, and many local leaders from Sunbury, Shamokin, Bloomsburg, and other communities. The Good and the Bad in Governor Shapiro’s Budget
During his 97-minute budget address (a new record!), the governor proposed some ideas that I fully support, like helping childcare providers and supporting our students seeking real jobs in much-needed careers in the trades. However, other aspects of his new proposal are based on fantasy, not reality. President Pro Tempore Kim Ward recently noted that the governor is more of a politician than a “get stuff done” governor, stating in an interview that he has “26 people working in his office that, doing all that social media, following him around with cameras. Governor Wolf had 12. Governor Shapiro has 26, and there’s a reason for that, right?” With 26 people in his communications office, at least now we understand why the speech was SO long! We must spend within our means. The governor’s budget proposal plays games with numbers to hide future tax increases. Using realistic spending and revenue estimates, Shapiro’s spending plans would leave a $27.3 billion hole in the state’s finances in the next five years. Next week, the Senate Appropriations Committee will begin its review of the governor’s proposal, to determine what’s real and what’s fake and craft a realistic budget. Apartments at Historic Altamont Hotel Now Open
The first tenants have now moved into the new apartments at the historic 1924 Altamont Hotel, a few blocks away from my office in downtown Hazleton. The building now features 68 market-rate apartments, after being closed in 2012. The developers have done an excellent job at returning the building to productive use, while preserving its history. There’s no issue I hear about more from employers and employees than the need for more housing in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties. Transforming old, unused buildings into quality apartments is a strategy that has proven very successful in other local communities. Similar efforts are now underway at multiple locations in Orwigsburg, at the Schwab School in Weatherly, the Schuylkill Trust Company building in Pottsville, and what many of us remember as either Scheid’s or Tire Pros in Tamaqua. Demolishing Blighted Buildings, Creating a New Park in Tamaqua
Three blighted and decaying buildings on Railroad Street in Tamaqua – just across from the historic 1874 Tamaqua Railroad Station – are currently being demolished by the Schuylkill County Commissioners to build a new park showcasing a Liberty Tree. Rep. Jamie Barton and I visited with local leaders to see the progress. When I was growing up in a “half a double” on Arlington Street, I never would have imagined the new life that we now see in Tamaqua. This new park will honor the rich local history of the borough. Tamaqua Railroad Station visitors will be able to walk through the park to Stoker’s Brewing Company, the Tamaqua Arts Center, and beyond.
Funding to tear down these decaying buildings came from the Schuylkill County demolition fund. We’ve worked to secure millions of dollars in state grants and successfully written new laws to provide much-needed dollars to this fund, so we can repair some old buildings for new housing needs and tear down others to breathe new life into older neighborhoods. As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation in 2026, Liberty Trees are being planted across the country as symbols of our enduring freedoms. Visit Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton, Jack Frost Big Boulder in Lake Harmony for “Best Winter Ever”
Our local ski resorts in Carbon County – Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton and Jack Frost Big Boulder in Lake Harmony – are great places to visit in the next few weeks for skiing, tubing, and snowboarding. Beginners can visit Blue Mountain Resort on March 1-2 for Bunny Hill Weekend to receive special deals on lessons and beginner lift tickets – a great way to learn how to ski! Meeting with Local Employers about Growing our Economy
Last Friday, I joined many of our local state representatives for a discussion with employers about issues now before the Senate and the House, including the governor’s unrealistic budget proposal, the need for more affordable housing, and the bureaucratic nightmare at vacant state properties. Thank you to the Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Association for organizing this informative event! Joining me were Reps. Doyle Heffley, Jamie Barton, Dane Watro, JoAnne Stehr, Jim Haddock, Tim Twardzik, Jamie Walsh, Jonathan Fritz, and Brenda Pugh. Friday, Mar. 7: Scam Seminar in White Haven
Rep. Jamie Walsh and I are hosting a scam seminar on Friday, Mar. 7 at 11 a.m., at St. Patrick’s Church, located at 411 Allegheny St. in White Haven. With scammers becoming increasingly brazen and creative, we all need to be aware of how to protect ourselves from falling prey to these criminals. RSVPs are required for this event. Please call 570-773-0891 to reserve your spot today. Senate Votes to Strengthen Penalties for Harming PA Public Transit Operators
Legislation strengthening penalties for people who harm public transit operators was approved by the Senate and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 210 would create a new offense for interfering with the operation of a public transit vehicle. Offenders causing serious bodily injury or death would face a felony of the first degree, while interference resulting in bodily injury, or the fear of imminent harm would be classified as a felony of the third degree. The legislation aims to protect transit workers, passengers and the general public. It sends a strong message that violence against public transit operators will not be tolerated, and those responsible for putting others’ safety at risk will face severe consequences. This is an important step in safeguarding the well-being of public transit operators who serve communities across Pennsylvania. Senate Passes Bill Providing Military Benefits to Korean Americans Who Served in Vietnam
Korean Americans who served in the Vietnam War with the Korean Armed Forces would receive the same state veterans benefits as their U.S. counterparts under legislation unanimously approved by the Senate. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 173 would grant the same rights, benefits and privileges of U.S. military veterans to Pennsylvania residents who are naturalized U.S. citizens and who served in the Vietnam War with the Korean Armed Forces. There are more than 3,000 naturalized Korean American citizens who served in the Vietnam War as a part of the Korean Armed Forces and hundreds now live in Pennsylvania. The bill would apply to any Pennsylvania resident who is an American citizen, was an active-duty member of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces in the Vietnam War between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, and received an honorable discharge or equivalent. Emergency Alerts Keep You Safe and Prepared
You can sign up to receive CodeRed alerts about severe weather and emergencies at your chosen locations, building alerts, health notifications and other timely updates from state and federal agencies. A CodeRed weather warning will automatically alert you if your address falls in the path of severe weather, as determined by the National Weather Service. Get alerts by phone, text or email and using your home address and/or work by signing up online. If you no longer wish to receive alerts, you may opt out of certain or all alerts from CodeRed at any time. Happy Presidents’ Day!
On Monday, Feb. 17, we recognize Presidents’ Day. The holiday initially honored the birth of President George Washington, who established many of the traditions and precedents of the presidency. Now, it gives us an opportunity to remember all United States presidents. Because of the holiday, my offices will be closed with normal business hours resuming on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
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