Senator Argall E-Newsletter

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In this email edition:

  • Senate, House of Representatives vote to follow Berks and Schuylkill voters, end emergency declaration
  • The continued fight for school property tax elimination
  • Boy Scouts honors healthcare workers, Lisa Scheller of Silberline Manufacturing for their service to the community
  • Alvernia University: expanding to Pottsville
  • Williams Valley students study the 50 states
  • Congrats to all new high school graduates!

Senate, House of Representatives vote to follow Berks and Schuylkill voters, end emergency declaration

6/10/21 - House Resolution 106

After Berks and Schuylkill County voters approved two constitutional amendments limiting the Governor’s emergency powers in a landslide, the Senate and House of Representatives voted Thursday to end Gov. Tom Wolf’s emergency declaration.

The continued fight for school property tax elimination

In recent years, I’ve spent more time on Senate Bill 76 than any other issue.  Unfortunately, repeated head counts in the Senate have proven that we do not have the 26 votes necessary to pass it, much less the 34 votes needed to override Governor Wolf’s promised veto.  That’s why I teamed up with Senator John DiSanto to introduce a constitutional amendment that would set a hard deadline for the state House and Senate to FINALLY eliminate school property taxes for good. 

My colleague Senator Mario Scavello, who is a steadfast supporter of property tax elimination, said the following in a recent article on the issue: “Some will even point their frustration at me as the sole reason nothing has happened. But, no matter how many times you repeat something, it doesn’t make it true. Some may choose to attack and berate me for my work on reform, while letting legislators who have been silent on this issue off the hook.”  Read Senator Scavello’s full message here.

There is one thing I want to make abundantly clear: I will not give up this fight.  

Read an editorial from the Times News about the fight to eliminate school property taxes here.

Boy Scouts honor healthcare workers, Lisa Scheller of Silberline Manufacturing for their service to the community

From Left to Right: Roseanne Bumbulsky – St. Luke’s Miners Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, David Gibson – St. Luke’s Miners Campus, Lisa Scheller – Silberline, Stephen Behun – Troop 755, Clamtown, Erin Martinez – Geisinger St. Luke’s Campus, Danielle Morgan – St. Luke’s Emergency Services Department, Brenda White – Lehigh Valley Hospital Schuylkill Emergency Room

Last week, I attended the Hawk Mountain Scout Council’s annual Service to Youth and Community Breakfast along with Rep. Jerry Knowles, Rep. Tim Twardzik, and Rep. Joe Kerwin.  This year’s event honored frontline healthcare workers from Schuylkill County hospitals including Geisinger St Luke’s Hospital, Lehigh Valley Health Schuylkill, and St. Luke’s Hospital Miners Campus.  The event also recognized Lisa Scheller of Silberline Manufacturing as this year’s Distinguished Citizen Honoree.  I had the chance to introduce Lisa, who I have known for much longer than both of us would probably care to admit!

This year’s scout speaker was Stephen Behun, the grandson of the late George Pinkey, another old friend.  Congratulations to Stephen, Lisa, and all the other honorees from this year!

Alvernia University: expanding to Pottsville

Members of the Pottsville Community meet about the forthcoming Alvernia campus

Alvernia University, whose primary campus is located in downtown Reading, is looking to make Pottsville the home for a new campus.  This will be the second “CollegeTowne” campus tied to Alvernia and will serve as a business incubator for students and budding entrepreneurs.  More details will be forthcoming on this project in the future, so stay tuned!  Read more here.

Williams Valley students study the 50 states

I recently visited students of the Williams Valley School District Life Skills Class who have been working on a history project where they have been studying each of our country’s 50 states.

The students had written to each of the 50 states to gather information. Several states, including Pennsylvania, sent information back to the students. When information was received, the student who wrote the letter shared the information they received with their class members.

To reward all their hard work, I presented each student with a congratulatory certificate and commended them for taking such an interest in learning not only about the Pennsylvania, but all 50 states.

Congratulations to Mr. Paul’s class:

  • Isabella Clark – grade 12
  • Austin Koons – grade 12
  • Anna Miller – grade 10
  • Brian Deeter – grade 10
  • Tyrell Koons – grade 9
  • Neketa Hartman – grade 8
  • Michelle Riley – grade 8
  • Britney Etzweiler – grade 7

Congrats to all new high school graduates!

As another school year, albeit a very unusual one, comes to a close, I wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate all of Schuylkill and Berks County’s new high school graduates!  When I graduated, I received a letter from the state senator who represented me at the time: Senator Frederick H. Hobbs.  I would like to echo his words about the importance of completing a high school education: it is truly a landmark event which in future years will take on added importance.  Read the full letter from Senator Hobbs above.

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