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In this update:
Bipartisan Budget Supports Students
After weeks of negotiation, the state budget was finalized last night with strong bipartisan support. It cut $740 million from Governor Shapiro’s original proposal and adds nearly $740 million to the state’s Rainy Day Fund to protect against future economic downturns. As the chair of the Senate Education Committee, I’m very pleased to see this state budget includes significant funding increases for all of our local students in Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties at all levels, from Pre-K to grad school. Career and technical schools, community colleges, and dual enrollment programs, which allow students in high school to take college courses, all received significant new investments. Holding Criminals Accountable, Despite Rogue Prosecutors
The lax attitude towards holding criminals accountable by rogue prosecutors has led to an explosion of crime in many of our largest cities, including in Philadelphia under District Attorney Larry Krasner. A recent talk by Charles “Cully” Stimson at Hillsdale College noted that in the five years prior to Krasner’s election in Philadelphia, retail thefts averaged 7,412 per year. Since then, that number has risen to 9,084. This serious rise in crime is why 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 perpetrators of organized retail theft to be charged with a felony. These new penalties target organized criminal opportunists who are looking to pad their pockets with stolen goods. This law also created a new task force in the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General to specifically target the sharp rise of this thievery. As part of the bipartisan budget approved this week, this team of prosecutors received more than $2.7 million to begin their important work. Tamaqua Railroad Station Approaches 150th Anniversary
The Tamaqua Railroad Station began making needed repairs to their roof this week, to ensure this local landmark can remain open for many decades to come. One thing is for certain – these repairs will be much less work than when I assisted many dedicated volunteers to fully restore the station in the 1990s. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the station. For those who remember when it was an abandoned wreck, this milestone has special meaning. Now, it continues to receive recognition after recognition, including by being immortalized on a stamp by the US Postal Service. I’m looking forward to celebrating with the whole Tamaqua community later this year! July 20: Pioneer Day in Ashland Celebrates Coal Mining Heritage
The Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train will host its annual Pioneer Day from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 20 in Ashland. This special event features local food vendors, music, and other activities in addition to the coal mine and steam locomotive tours which run every weekend. The Reading and Northern Railroad will host an all-day train excursion to Ashland, departing from the Reading Outer Station, Port Clinton, and Tamaqua. There is no better place to learn about the backbreaking and dangerous labor that our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents performed in the mines to feed our local families! Should Cell Phones be Allowed in Schools?
I spoke with Eyewitness News WBRE WYOU about the heated debate over whether cell phones should be allowed in schools this week. Study after study has shown that when students have too much access to their phones, their academic performance declines. As the chair of the Senate Education Committee, advancing legislation to continue this conversation has been one of my top priorities this year. The bipartisan budget approved this week includes a new grant program to provide schools with funding to purchase locked bags to store cell phones in during the school day. Schools that participate would also be required to share information with us about whether banning cell phones improved student academic performance and mental health. Jonathan Ulicny Assist Constituents as Summer Intern
Jonathan Ulicny, a Tamaqua native and political science major at Susquehanna University, is doing an excellent job as my summer intern. Since May, he has worked with constituents in my Mahanoy City office, assisting them with recovering thousands of dollars of unclaimed property and much more. He’s also traveled with me to many events in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties. In this photo, we met in Hazleton with former Major League Baseball Manager Joe Maddon and Rep. Dane Watro. Susquehanna University published an article highlighting his work. I look forward to seeing the amazing things he accomplishes in the future! 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 Wednesday, July 31 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 qualifies for free replacement. 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!
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