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In this Update:
Should We Save Our Local Penn State Campuses?
This week, I met with James Bell, a biology major at Penn State Schuylkill, at our State Capitol as part of Undergraduate Research Day. James grew up in Saint Clair and plans to attend veterinarian school. Students like James are why so many are fighting to save Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State Hazleton. These campuses have provided local opportunities to earn a college degree to thousands of people, changing so many lives for the better. Closing them now would jeopardize local jobs, harm the regional economy, and make it much harder to earn a college degree in northeast Pennsylvania. Congressman Rob Bresnahan Jr. of Luzerne County summed this up in a recent letter to Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi about the importance of these campuses to northeast Pennsylvania. He wrote, “Attempts at decreasing access to the services that are provided at our local PSU campuses only threaten to hinder our economic revitalization. Therefore, I am calling on you — to keep these regional campuses fully open, preserving full access to the PSU student experience for our local students. This decade is NEPA’s opportunity to put itself back on the map as an economic and knowledge leader for our Commonwealth and our country. I hope PSU’s NEPA campuses will be a part of that story.” I agree 100 percent! What do you think? Take our survey here. Another Successful Sportsmen’s Expo in Carbon County!
Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Sportsmen’s and Outdoor Expo which Rep. Doyle Heffley and I hosted on Saturday at Penn Forest Township Volunteer Fire Company #1. We had about 500 people join us to learn more about the many outdoors-focused organizations operating in Carbon County and beyond. As a mountain biker, hiker, kayaker, and skier here, I really appreciated the valuable information on display! Celebrating Elks of the Year in Hazleton
Hazleton Elks #200 honored three of their members for their service to the community at their annual Elks of the Year dinner last weekend. Congratulations to Citizen of the Year Billie Shaffer, Elk of the Year Maurice Dembrosi, Jr., and Officer of the Year Matt Gimmer! Rep. Dane Watro and Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat joined me at the dinner to congratulate this year’s awardees. Organized Retail Theft Ring Busted in Schuylkill County
Four people were charged for their participation in an organized retail theft ring that targeted stores across the state and beyond, including in Pottsville and Luzerne County. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, the group has operated since at least May 2023, stealing thousands of dollars of goods on at least a dozen different occasions. Because of the increased number of major retail thefts, I wrote a bipartisan law that strengthened the penalties these thieves were charged with and gave law enforcement more resources to hold them accountable. This law was approved by a vote of 45-5 in the Senate, 179-24 in the House, and signed into law by Governor Shapiro near the end of 2023. This crime ring shows exactly why I advocated so strongly for this change. Theft at this scale doesn’t just hurt employers – it results in the loss of jobs and makes our communities less safe. Senate Committee Votes to Preserve Women’s Sports
This week, with my support, the Senate Education Committee passed legislation to preserve integrity and fairness in women’s sports, progress that was hard fought decades ago with the creation of Title IX. The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Senate Bill 9, known as the Save Women’s Sports Act, would require public schools and colleges to label sports teams as male, female or coed. It would only permit biological females to join teams designated for women. Notably, Senate Bill 9 would allow students to take legal action if they are harmed by violations of this rule. Female students who compete in high school and college sports deserve a level playing field. This bill would protect this opportunity for them, allowing fair and equal access to the personal enrichment, character development and fitness sports provide. Meeting with Schuylkill, Carbon County Farmers
I was invited to meet with the Schuylkill-Carbon County Farm Bureau at Leiby’s Ice Cream House & Restaurant in South Tamaqua to discuss issues confronting our local farmers. When our farmers succeed, our communities grow stronger. As a member of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and from what I have observed for many years at my wife’s family’s farm, I know that agriculture remains a KEY piece of our local economy. Joining me were Reps. Jamie Barton, Doyle Heffley, JoAnne Stehr, Tim Twardzik, and Dane Watro, and Schuylkill County Commissioner Boots Hetherington. Capitol Visitors from the 29th DistrictDuring Senate session this week, I welcomed many visitors from the 29th district in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties to our State Capitol.
All-star football players, cheerleaders, and coaches from across Pennsylvania visited for a press conference recognizing the Big 33 Football Classic, an all-star football game pitting the best players from Pennsylvania against the best from Maryland. Congratulations to Kelsey Witmer from Tri Valley Jr/Sr High School (pictured here), Gavin Mentzer from North Schuylkill Jr/Sr High School, and Michael Gelatko from Marian Catholic High School for being named to this year’s roster! The 68th annual game will be played on Sunday, May 25 at Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field in Mechanicsburg.
I met with representatives from Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21 to learn more about their work to support local children and families. Their programs to guide students toward in-demand careers and prepare them to be productive members of society are very valuable to our communities.
Congratulations to the Nativity BVM High School boys track and field team, comprised of Noah Dolbin, Alek Gorski, Nolan Daynorowicz, and Michael Stank, on winning the 2024 state title in the 1,600-meter relay! Reps. Jamie Barton, Tim Twardzik, Dane Watro, and I congratulated them on their VERY impressive season.
Representatives from the Hidden River Clubhouse, a community-based mental health rehabilitation facility in Pottsville, shared how their program helps adults recover and return to the workforce. Thank you for the work you do on behalf of the most vulnerable members of our communities. Youth Invited to Go Fishing on Saturday
Pennsylvania’s Mentored Youth Trout Day gives young people early access to the state’s stocked trout waters. This year, it will be held on Saturday, March 29, from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Youth anglers need a free Mentored Youth Permit or a Voluntary Youth Fishing License, which can be purchased for $2.97, from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Both are available online or at licensing agents across the state. To participate, youth anglers must be accompanied by a licensed adult angler, which are anglers 16 years of age and older. Adult anglers need a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License and a current Trout Permit. Youth with a license or permit can take a total of two trout (combined species) with a minimum length of seven inches. Adult anglers may not possess trout. March 29 is Vietnam War Veterans Day
Nine million Americans served during the Vietnam War era and 58,000 gave their lives. Sadly, because many people didn’t view the war favorably, Vietnam War veterans received a cold reception when they returned to American soil. Some were even deeply mistreated. March 29 marks the day in 1973 when the last United States troops left Vietnam. That same day, 591 American prisoners were released and returned to the United States. Let us recognize those who fought valiantly for our freedoms. We are grateful for their courage and sacrifices. April 9: Concealed Carry Seminar in West Hazleton
Rep. Dane Watro and I are hosting a concealed carry seminar on Wednesday, April 9 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the West Hazleton Borough Building. Join us to learn more about how to exercise our Second Amendment rights safely and lawfully from Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce and Luzerne County Sheriff Brian Szumski. Reserve your spot today by calling 570-453-1344 or by visiting Rep. Watro’s website. April 3: Senior Scam Seminar at the Fairlane Village Mall
Rep. Tim Twardzik and I will host a scam seminar on Thursday, April 3 at 11 a.m., at the Fairlane Village Mall. With scammers becoming increasingly brazen and creative, we all need to be aware of how to protect ourselves from falling prey to these criminals. Joining us will be the Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance and David Shallcross, the Director of the Senior Protection Unit of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. RSVPs are required for this event. Please call 570-773-0891 to reserve your spot today. |
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