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In this update:
Do You Have Unclaimed Property, from $10 to $10,000?
My staff in Pottsville, Mahanoy City, Hazleton, and Harrisburg assist the people of Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties every day with state-related issues. Recently, we began a new project – connecting people with their unclaimed property. In the last few weeks, my offices have contacted more than 150 people and worked to return more than $400,000 in unclaimed property directly to their bank accounts. Many of them were not aware that their money was just waiting to be claimed. The amounts we’ve assisted with range greatly, from less than $10 to more than $10,000. Unclaimed property can include dormant bank accounts, abandoned stocks, uncashed checks, and more. Essentially, it is YOUR money that the state is holding on your behalf. I would MUCH rather see it back in your pocket than sitting in a state government bank account. This week, Melissa from Tennessee stopped by my Mahanoy City office for assistance with her mother’s unclaimed property. Her mother lived in the Minersville Area over 70 years ago. With some research, my office was able to connect her with this money, which will soon be back in her hands! If you would like us to check if YOU have unclaimed property, contact any of my offices. Protecting PA College Campuses from Antisemitism
I will convene a public hearing of the Senate Education Committee about the impact of rising antisemitism on Pennsylvania college campuses later this month at the State Capitol. It has been deeply troubling to witness the antisemitic protests at many college and university campuses here in Pennsylvania and across the country after the terrorist attacks on Oct. 7. The committee will hear directly from those affected to determine how we can better protect our students. On Oct. 7, 2023, more than 1,000 Israelis, mostly civilians, were murdered by Hamas terrorists. U.S. college campuses experienced volatile antisemitic protests that called for the complete destruction of Israel. Students were required to shelter in place in their dorm rooms out of fear for their lives. This should NEVER happen. Should Cell Phones Be Allowed in Schools?
Students are facing a significant decline in academic achievement. Research shows a clear correlation between this trend and the rise in cell phone use. To improve student performance, legislation to support schools that limit access to cell phones during the school day was approved by the Senate this week with strong bipartisan support. As the chair of the Senate Education Committee, advancing this legislation was one of my top priorities this year. Senate Bill 1207, sponsored by Sen. Ryan Aument, would create a pilot program to provide state funding to schools to purchase lockable bags to store cell phones in during the school day. Philadelphia Crime Worsened by Police Shortage
Philadelphia police officers need our help. A recent op-ed by my colleague Sen. Mike Regan of Cumberland County highlighted the serious issues plaguing the department which have caused a shortage of 1,500 officers, among them that the district attorney refuses to prosecute criminals. These issues are part of the reason I introduced legislation to strengthen the ability of law enforcement to hold looters and thieves accountable. This bill was signed into law last year as Act 42 of 2023, after receiving strong bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House – something you don’t see often in Harrisburg. Because of this new law, it is now easier for these thieves to be charged with a felony. We’re not talking about punishing a mom who steals baby formula to feed her children – these new penalties target organized criminal opportunists who are looking to pad their pockets with stolen goods. Argall Report: Talking to Marian Catholic Students About Delaying School Start Times
The July edition of my local TV program asks Marian Catholic students if schools should delay their start times. Rep. Jamie Barton and I hosted a question-and-answer session with seniors from Marian Catholic High School who traveled to Harrisburg for a tour of the State Capitol. This edition also features a public hearing of the Senate Education Committee that examined the issue of delaying school start times in detail. Neurologists and psychologists from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh testified that students’ test scores will improve if the school day is pushed back to 8:30 a.m. On the other side of the issue, the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, the Pennsylvania School Bus Association, and the PIAA shared their concerns about mandating a later start time for all schools. Congratulations to New Carbon County Eagle Scouts!
Two young men from Carbon County earned the rank of Eagle Scout last weekend: Phoenix Kalavoda and Philip Cicchinelli, both of Troop 555, Jim Thorpe. Congratulations! I was joined by Rep. Doyle Heffley, Commissioner Michael Sofranko, and Jim Thorpe Borough Council President Greg Strubinger to congratulate them on Saturday. Celebrating the Pottsville Maroons – Schuylkill County’s NFL Team
The Schuylkill County Historical Society is continuing their celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Pottsville Maroons – our very own NFL team that played from 1925-28 – next weekend. They will be hosting a meet and greet with Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Ron Jaworski at their location in Pottsville. Learn more about this event here. Replace Damaged License Plates in Schuylkill Haven
Is your license plate worn out? You can get it replaced for free at an event I’m hosting with Rep. Tim Twardzik on July 31st from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Schuylkill Haven Borough Hall, 333 Center Ave. 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 570-773-0891. I will be hosting more of these events in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counites soon – stay tuned! Happy Independence Day!
This week always has a special meaning for my family. Way back on July 8th, 1848, Thomas Argall arrived in New York Harbor on the Roscius with his wife, Jane, and three children after leaving their home in Cornwall, England. He was 28 years old. He would become an American citizen 20 years later. I’m proud to be his great-great-great grandson. When I asked a very distant Cornish cousin why my ancestors left their beautiful little seaside village, the answer was simple: the Irish Potato Famine also devastated Cornwall, the local mines were closing, and they left so they would not starve. The result: Hello, Pottsville! As we celebrate the July 4th holiday, it’s important to remember how many of us share similar stories about how we became Americans. Enjoy this special holiday and remember its meaning.
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