E-news Updates - May 23, 2024

In this update:

Shapiro Energy Plan Hurts Working Families
Replace Damaged License Plates for FREE in Palmerton
Community Development Grants Awarded in Carbon, Luzerne Counties
Minersville Community Day Showcases Restored Steam Engine CNJ 113
Kielbasi Festival and Parade of Nations in Shenandoah
Hazleton Integration Project Open House Set for May 29^th
NorthPoint Development Logistics Center Brings New Jobs to Hazleton
Breathing New Life into Mahanoy City
PA Department of Environmental Protection to Host Public Hearing on BRADS Landfill
Honoring the Sacrifice of Our Fallen Heroes
‘Fish for Free’ on Sunday, May 26
Win Money for Your Child’s Education

Shapiro Energy Plan Hurts Working Families

Pennsylvania possesses the natural resources to lead our nation and grow our economy, but bad ideas jeopardize our future.

Governor Shapiro has proposed a new energy plan with legislative Democrats that would send family-sustaining Pennsylvania jobs to Ohio and West Virginia, strain the stability and reliability of our power grid, and increase costs for all of us. In the past month, West Virginia embraced a new natural gas plant that will create 1600 construction jobs and 60 permanent jobs, while our governor proposes a massive tax to scare away similar projects here in Pennsylvania.

His plan could undo years of bipartisan work to support our local electric power plants—we often call them our ‘cogens,’ which will cause the many black and grey wastelands left behind by past mining operations in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne Counties to continue to plague us for hundreds of more years.

Working families in Pennsylvania deserve better.

Replace Damaged License Plates for FREE in Palmerton

Is your license plate worn out? You can get it replaced for free at an event I’m hosting with Rep. Doyle Heffley on May 28th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Palmerton Public Works Building. A local police officer will be on hand to inspect your plate to determine if it’s illegible.

For more information or to RSVP, call 1-877-327-4255. I will be hosting more of these events in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counites soon – stay tuned!

Community Development Grants Awarded in Carbon, Luzerne Counties

Almost $2.5 million was awarded to community development projects in Carbon and southern Luzerne counties this week from Local Share Account programs. These highly competitive grants will reuse blighted and decaying buildings and help bring new visitors to the area. I’m thankful for my excellent partnerships with Reps. Heffley, Dane Watro, and Mike Cabell in turning these requests into reality.

In Luzerne County:

Dennison Township – $22,103 for improvements to Red Shale Pit Road and Peat Moss Road.
Freeland Borough – $100,000 for renovations to the borough building.
Hazle Township – $230,445 for the construction of a pole building for the Hazle Township Little League.
Hazle Township – $235,000 for the purchase of a wheel loader.
Hazleton City – $302,854 for the demolition of the abandoned and blighted former Matuella’s Dairy building located at 625 W 6^th
Hazleton City – $231,243 for the purchase of three vehicles with compartments for rescue equipment for the Hazleton City Fire Department.
Hazleton City – $102,249 for the renovations at the Hazleton Active Adult Center.
Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority – $257,133 for the construction of a new dining lodge at Camp Kresge.
Penn Lake Park Borough – $100,000 for the rehabilitation of the Penn Lake Dam.
White Haven Borough – $100,000 for further improvements at its multi-purpose library and heritage visitors center.

In Carbon County:

Beaver Meadows Borough – $150,000 to complete the construction of the Memorial Park pavilion.
Carbon County – $73,581 for improvements to the American Legion Post #314 building in Lehighton.
Carbon County – $68,423 to purchase propane training equipment to prepare first responders for how to safely navigate propane and natural gas emergencies.
Jim Thorpe Borough – $67,207 to purchase speed alert and safety message signs, helping to control traffic flow during the busy summer months.
Lansford Borough – $252,466 to renovate a former church into a muti-use public facility containing a Second Harvest food pantry, meal center, public recreational facility, local outreach office, job support, and county assistance services.
Lansford Borough – $33,362 to purchase new protective fire gear and a new radio for the Lansford Fire Company.
Packer Township – $100,000 to remove and replace storm sewer piping and culverts along Grist Mill Drive.
Summit Hill Borough – $56,800 to develop plans for a new visitor’s center operated by the Summit Hill Historical Society.

Minersville Community Day Showcases Restored Steam Engine CNJ 113

Railway Project 113 hosted Minersville’s Community Day on Saturday. Seth Hubler from my office and I joined one of the six rides on the fully restored steam engine CNJ 113 to the New St. Nicholas Breaker. We also met with Minersville Mayor Sean Palmer and Doug Taglieri of the Minersville Lions Club while visiting the many vendors at the event.

This is not the only positive development in Minersville – the borough has seen new life in recent years thanks in part to a growing number of ATV riders visiting the area, with revenue collected from this effort to fix local playgrounds. The increase in visitors has also been a boost for local restaurants and other small businesses.

Kielbasi Festival and Parade of Nations in Shenandoah

Despite the rain, this year’s Kielbasi Festival in downtown Shenandoah was a big success! I walked in the Parade of Nations with Rep. Watro and Schuylkill County Commissioner Larry Padora and presented a citation to parade Grand Marshall David “Lucky” Lukashunas, the owner of Lucky’s Corner Deli & Kielbasi Shop.

Year after year, Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. does a great job organizing the vendors, music and other attractions that make this festival so special. It’s one of my favorite annual events in Schuylkill County celebrating the cultural heritage of the area.

Hazleton Integration Project Open House Set for May 29^th

The Hazleton Integration Project is hosting an open house on Wednesday, May 29^th from 4-6 p.m. Rep. Watro and I will be there!

NorthPoint Development Logistics Center Brings New Jobs to Hazleton

NorthPoint Development invited me to a groundbreaking ceremony for their new logistics center in Hazleton and Hazle Township. Once completed, the center will create about 350 new jobs. NorthPoint has created over 2,500 jobs in northeast Pennsylvania in the past decade.

Why here? They pointed to one main reason why they continue to open new locations in the region – strong public-private partnerships. They noted the motivated leadership of Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat, Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo, CAN DO, Inc., the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, Rep. Watro, and other local officials as a key reason why they picked this site.

Breathing New Life into Mahanoy City

Rep. Watro and I joined Mahanoy City Borough officials for a walking tour of a section of Main Street that will soon see significant upgrades thanks to a highly competitive state grant. The funding will be used to install new curbs, sidewalks, crosswalks, new lighting, benches, trees and more.

When I first joined the Senate, one of the first decisions awaiting me was if I should maintain the downtown office established here by Senator Jim Rhoades. I agreed, as one small step in aiding the local efforts to get Mahanoy City back on its feet. I’ve never regretted that decision!

I’m thankful this highly competitive funding will help them take their next big step.

PA Department of Environmental Protection to Host Public Hearing on BRADS Landfill

On Wednesday, May 29^th from 6-9 p.m., the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will be holding a public hearing about renewing the permit for the Blythe Recycling and Demolition Site (BRADS) Landfill, located near St. Clair. Attendance is encouraged if you have any complaints to voice or concerns to raise.

If you suffer from noxious smells, please register the nature and the time of your complaint at the 24/7 DEP hotline at 570-826-2511.

Honoring the Sacrifice of Our Fallen Heroes

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, we will pay tribute to the fallen warriors who fought to preserve our American ideals. Today and every day, remember the valuable contributions and tremendous sacrifices members of our Armed Forces have made on behalf of our country and the freedoms we so deeply cherish. The legacy of the veteran cannot be lost.

‘Fish for Free’ on Sunday, May 26

On Sunday, May 26, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will host a “Fish for Free” day to allow anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish on all Pennsylvania waterways. No license is required, but all other fishing regulations will still apply.

This is the first of two dates set by the PFBC to enhance fishing opportunities. The next day is Independence Day, Thursday, July 4.

Win Money for Your Child’s Education

In honor of PA 529 Day on May 29, new PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) accounts opened between May 1 and May 31 with at least $10 in contributions are eligible for a chance to win $5,529 or $2,529. Current PA 529 GSP account owners are also eligible to win $5,529 if they had a balance of at least $10 as of April 30 and receive a contribution of at least $10 in May.

The PA 529 GSP helps families save for future college and career education expenses by keeping pace with rising college tuition. They offer tax-advantaged savings and the flexibility to pay for a wide variety of education expenses, including at any qualified educational institution, from K-12 to college and career training programs. Funds can also be used for room and board, tuition and books.

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