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In this Update:
WATCH LIVE TODAY: Roundtable on the Future of Penn State Schuylkill
This afternoon, I’m hosting a roundtable discussion with our local state representatives – Reps. Tim Twardzik, Jamie Barton, JoAnne Stehr, and Dane Watro – about Penn State’s plan to potentially close Penn State Schuylkill. If able, please join us today at 1 p.m. at Penn State Schuylkill’s John E. Morgan Auditorium (200 University Drive, Schuylkill Haven). There will be time reserved for public comments about the value of this campus to our communities and regional economy. You can also livestream the event here. The event will also feature Penn State Schuylkill leadership and local employers. This news hit our region like a shockwave when it was announced just over a month ago. We’ll be presenting the data from this hearing, as well as the more than 5,300 responses to our survey, directly to Penn State leadership along with our legislative delegation’s unified opposition to closing this campus.
On Thursday, April 10 at 1 p.m., I will be hosting a similar roundtable about the future of Penn State Hazleton with Sen. Lynda Culver, Rep. Watro and Rep. Jamie Walsh. Please join us at the Hazleton LaunchBox (13 W Broad St) – we want to hear from you regarding whether this campus should remain open and why. The event can also be livestreamed here. Red Carpet Breakfast: Breathing New Life into Hazleton
Thank you to the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce for inviting me to give remarks at their VERY well attended Red Carpet breakfast last week. In addition to the future of Penn State Hazleton, I discussed the continuing waste of taxpayer dollars at the vacant White Haven Center. In recent years, our state bureaucracy has spent more than $160 million maintaining empty buildings just to bring in the bulldozers. Rep. Walsh and I are hosting a community visioning meeting at St. Patrick’s Church in White Haven on April 10 at 5:30 p.m. to hear from the community about how can return this property to productive use as soon as possible. Please contact any of my offices for more information about this event. I also shared my excitement to see both the Altamont Hotel and the Hazleton Y fully restored. Residents are now moving into the 68 market-rate apartments at the Altamont, and the new Mericle Family Center YMCA will soon offer childcare to 150 local kids.
I’m grateful to have dedicated local partners – Sen. Culver, Rep. Watro, Rep. Walsh, Mayor Jeff Cusat, Congressman Rob Bresnahan Jr., and many others – who work with me to breathe new life into the area. Congressman Bresnahan now operates an office in the same downtown building as Rep. Watro and me. If you need assistance, 145 E Broad Street is now a one-stop shop for both state and federal issues – and it’s on the same block as Jimmy’s Quick Lunch! Honoring Vietnam War Veterans from Carbon County and Beyond
Together with Veterans NEPA hosted a luncheon in recognition of National Vietnam War Veterans Day at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe. I was honored to give remarks to the more than 300 veterans in attendance – thank you ALL for your service. Your sacrifices on behalf of our nation will never be forgotten. Senate Votes to Strengthen Crime Prevention, Keep Communities Safe
The Senate took decisive action this week to hold dangerous criminals accountable by approving three key bills to protect Pennsylvania communities. Senate Bill 92 would impose a mandatory minimum 25-year sentence on drug dealers who sell fentanyl resulting in a fatal overdose. Known as Tyler’s Law, after Tyler Shanafelter, who tragically died at the age of 18 after purchasing pills he didn’t realize were laced with fentanyl, SB 92 sends a strong message that those fueling the opioid crisis will face severe consequences. Senate Bill 471 would require prosecutors to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when a criminal defendant is identified as unlawfully present in the United States. The bill would ensure that individuals who commit serious crimes are transferred to federal custody for removal proceedings. It also would prohibit sanctuary policies that obstruct communication between local law enforcement and federal agencies. Senate Bill 490 would prohibit non-monetary bail for the most threatening individuals, including those who possess 10 grams or more of fentanyl, have a history of violent crime or assault a law enforcement officer. These bills reflect my commitment to fighting crime, protecting Pennsylvania families, and ensuring that our law enforcement officials have the tools they need to uphold justice. Each measure builds upon broader efforts to make Pennsylvania a safer place to live, work and raise a family. Senate Acts Against False Emergency Threats at Schools
The Senate this week approved legislation to crack down on false emergency threats targeting schools, a move aimed at enhancing public safety and reducing the strain on emergency responders. Lehighton Area High School, Tamaqua Area High School, and other local schools have been targeted by the hoaxes in recent years. Senate Bill 96 would establish new felony penalties for individuals who make hoax emergency reports involving educational institutions. The legislation comes in response to a troubling rise in hoax threats made against schools across Pennsylvania, causing fear among students and parents while diverting law enforcement and emergency personnel from real emergencies. Senate Bill 96 is part of a broader effort to safeguard schools and hold bad actors accountable. Protecting the Rights of our Corrections Officers, Supporting Long-Term Care Workers
Our corrections officers put their safety on the line to protect us all from Pennsylvania’s most dangerous criminals. Despite this, some of them have been unfairly suspended without pay, benefits, or the chance to defend themselves in the past. My bill to ensure these brave law enforcement officials retain their rights when they are accused of wrongdoing was approved with unanimous, bipartisan support by the Senate Labor and Industry Committee on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, my bill to encourage more employees to join the long-term care workforce was approved with unanimous, bipartisan support by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Too many of our families, including mine, have faced the difficult decision of moving a parent or grandparent into a long-term care center. The professionals who make sure they are cared for have an extremely important job yet are facing increasing challenges because of workforce shortages. This bill will support their important work. Both bills now advance to the full Senate for consideration. Supporting Valuable Education Programs in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne Counties
I was pleased to welcome five students from Schuylkill Technology Center (STC) to our State Capitol on Wednesday as part of Career and Technical Education Day. STC’s programs teach their students career-defining skills and connect them with in-demand jobs in our area. I’m committed to supporting and expanding career and technical education programs across Pennsylvania, including STC, because of the life-changing opportunities they offer to local students.
I also met with Dr. Carrie Rowe, the Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Our discussion mostly focused on Penn State’s plan to potentially close Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State Hazleton – a path that would reduce educational opportunities in our area instead of expanding them. I look forward to working with her to continue improving access to education in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties. Visiting Career Day at Pine Grove Elementary
I visited with more than 100 fourth grade students at Pine Grove Area Elementary School for their career day. I spoke to them about my job as the state senator for Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties and how school was an important piece of my journey – from elementary school all the way through so many years of grad school at night. Thank you for inviting me! April is National Donate Life Month
For the 23rd year, we recognize April as an opportunity to raise awareness about organ donation. In the season that represents new beginnings, we honor donors, recipients, their families, caregivers and the clinical teams that make it all possible. More than 6,000 Pennsylvanians are awaiting organ transplants. Organ donation can save up to eight lives, and tissue donation can enhance the lives of 75 others by helping them recover from trauma, spinal injuries, burns and vision loss. If you aren’t an organ or tissue donor yet but would like to be, there’s no need to wait until you get or renew your driver’s license, learner’s permit or photo ID. It’s easy to register online to donate. There are no costs to the donor’s family for donation. Paramedics, doctors and nurses remain committed to doing everything possible to save donors’ lives. Learn more.
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