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In this update:
Vacant White Haven Center MUST be Sold or Reused
I demanded the sale or reuse of the vacant White Haven Center due to the lack of progress at the site. The center was shut down in 2023 by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services without community or legislative input. Since then, it has sat unused, leaving taxpayers on the hook to maintain empty buildings. Spending millions of taxpayer dollars each year maintaining vacant structures with their future uncertain is completely irresponsible. I introduced legislation this week to require a detailed plan on how the center will be utilized as soon as humanly possible. Pennsylvania Stands with the People of Israel
I was proud to support bipartisan legislation, approved by a vote of 41 to 7, to show that Pennsylvania stands with Israel and its people in the face of rising antisemitism. As the Senate’s Education Chairman, it’s been deeply troubling to witness the antisemitic protests at many colleges campuses across the country after the terrorist attacks on October 7. Senate Bill 1260, introduced by Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) and Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), would take every penny of state funding away from any Pennsylvania college or university that gives into the demands of these protesters and boycotts or divests from Israel. Amelia Zhang Argall visits Tamaqua!
Amelia Zhang Argall, the daughter of Frances and my son AJ, traveled north from Virginia to be baptized in the same Tamaqua church where her Argall great-great-grandparents were married almost 100 years ago. Beth and I were VERY busy grandparents last weekend! Require Parental Consent for Virtual Counseling, Notify Parents of Weapons in SchoolsToo many parents feel they have been cut out of the classroom. This week, I guided legislation to expand parental rights in Pennsylvania schools to final passage in the Senate as the chairman of the Senate Education Committee. Both bills now advance to the House of Representatives. Senate Bill 913, sponsored by Sen. Wayne Langerholc (R-35), requires parental consent for students under 18 years of age to receive virtual mental health services while at school. Many parents have expressed serious concerns to me about the materials their children can freely access in public schools without their knowledge. Senate Bill 971, sponsored by Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-16), would require schools to notify parents and school employees of an incident involving the possession of a weapon on school property. Broadening the rights of parents to decide how their children are educated will continue to be a key focus of the Senate Education Committee. New Trail from Pottsville to Tamaqua to Jim Thorpe?
I met with members of the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance team to discuss a plan to create a new trail that would travel from the Pottsville area to Tamaqua to Jim Thorpe, connecting the Delaware and Lehigh Trail to the Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail and beyond. Creating this trail would bring new visitors to nearby towns. As we’ve seen in Jim Thorpe and White Haven, these destinations can breathe new life into our older communities. As a frequent biker of the MANY great trails here in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties, I’m excited to help bring this idea to life! Honoring Fallen PennDOT Mechanic Joseph Zienkiewicz
A ceremony was held in Union Township to dedicate a bridge in memory of Joseph Zienkiewicz of Pattersonville, a PennDOT foreman who was killed in a crash while working at a Berks County project in June 1981. The bridge carrying Little Mountain Road over Little Catawissa Creek is near a former garage where he once worked as a mechanic. I was proud to introduce the legislation that dedicated this bridge in his honor with Rep. Dane Watro. That law named ten bridges in northeast Pennsylvania after PennDOT workers who lost their lives while on the job. Pictured here are Loretta Zienkiewicz, Joseph’s widow, David Zienkiewicz, his son, and my Chief of Staff, Christine Verdier. Providing Specialized Support to Children with Autism
The Senate passed Roman’s Law this week, a bill I introduced with Rep. Watro and Rep. Mike Cabell to help parents find the best educational path possible for their child with autism. Rep. Watro brought this idea to me after meeting Roman DeAngelo of Hazleton. Roman has autism and is making significant progress receiving early intervention services. He is working on becoming verbal, among other everyday skills so many of us take for granted. But his parents and his physician know he is not ready to go to school full-time. An extra year of specialized support can make a world of difference for Roman and other kids like him. I was proud to introduce this bill on their behalf. Watch my remarks about this important legislation on the floor of Senate here. Congrats to Blue Mountain Eagles Softball State Champions!
The Blue Mountain Eagles Softball team visited the State Capitol this week to celebrate their second straight state championship! Led by head coach Mike Rollman, the team finished their season with a stellar record of 27-1. Independence Day Charity Event in Hazleton Supports Kids, Veterans
Schuylkill County Dairy Princess Spotlights Local Dairy Farmers
I met with Schuylkill County Dairy Princess Lyma Dunbar and her mother Heather in my office at the State Capitol this week. They traveled to Harrisburg to celebrate National Dairy Month – a great reminder of the impact dairy farmers have on our communities and local economy. Pennsylvania is home to nearly 5,000 dairy farmers, contributing $11.8 billion in economic revenue and supporting 47,000 jobs. Lyma attends Tamaqua Area High School, where she is VERY active in extra-curricular activities. She also works at her family’s farm, Lil-Rus Farms, and is involved in Girl Scouts. Replace Damaged License Plates in Schuylkill Haven
We replaced many damaged license plates at an event Rep. JoAnne Stehr and I hosted in Pine Grove last week. Despite the heat, we had about 30 people stop by. Thank you to Officer Michael Dissinger for inspecting plates and assisting people with their forms. If you missed this one, I will be hosting another with Rep. Tim Twardzik on July 31st from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Schuylkill Haven Borough Hall, 333 Center Ave.
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