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In this Update:
Labor Day: Why My Family is Thankful for REAL Workforce Progress
Labor Day is on Monday, an annual reminder of both the contributions and trials faced by generations of American workers. The story of my great-grandfather’s Uncle Thomas Argall demonstrates just what I mean by “trials”. First, he suffered a terrible accident while working in a coal mine near Pottsville when he was JUST 15. His leg had to be amputated on his family’s kitchen table. Then, (remember, there were no disability benefits in 1882), he took a job as a night telegraph operator at a railyard. Tragically however, at the age of 18, he fell near an oncoming train on the job due to his disability. He was buried in Pottsville, where I wondered why his gravestone above is marked with a telegraph key, of all things. Thanks to the Schuylkill County Historical Society’s research, I NOW understand. My wife’s great grandfather met a similar fate as a locomotive engineer. Many of us have similar tragedies in our past, especially those of us with family ties to PA’s coal regions. These tragedies are much rarer today because of stronger laws against child labor and other unfair practices. On Monday, I’ll remember Thomas and many others who have made so many sacrifices in building this nation. Welcome Home Coach Rhoades!
Narrow Valley Sports hosted a homecoming for Penn State Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Rhoades, a Mahanoy City native and son of Mary Edith and the late Senator Jim Rhoades, at their newly opened sportsplex last weekend. Rep. Doyle Heffley, Carbon County Commissioner Michael Sofranko, Narrow Valley Sports owners Kathy Kovatch Reaman and Ric Reaman, and I were all excited to join him for a tour of facility. We are very proud of you, Coach Rhoades! Will Gov. Shapiro “Get Stuff Done” or Focus on His National Ambitions?Will Gov. Josh Shapiro work with legislative Republicans and Democrats in Harrisburg, as he is often quoted, to “get stuff done,” or refuse to work with us to promote his national ambitions? Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington), a key member of leadership in the Pennsylvania House, wrote this op-ed for Broad and Liberty on the subject, noting that: “Shapiro was passed over for vice president after attacks by his party’s hard left, in part, over his support of school choice and his unapologetic stand on behalf of Israel. Their clear message: get in line or we’ll scratch you from the varsity roster. Special interests with a stake in status-quo education policy attacked without mercy. Even his religion made him a target of people who can’t bring themselves to support the Middle East’s only democracy.” Schuylkill County to Host Fall Cleanup and Recycling Event
Schuylkill County will host its annual fall cleanup and recycling event throughout the next two weeks. If you have scrap tires, appliances, scrap metal, or other bulky items, this is a great opportunity to dispose of them responsibly. One of my first bills to become law – as a younger, thinner State Representative (this picture doesn’t lie!) – created these efforts across Pennsylvania as Act 190, known as the Waste Tire Recycling Act/Small Business and Household Pollution Prevention Program Act. I introduced it after visiting a burning, illegal dump with fire fighters near Pottsville with 750,000 waste tires. Now, in part because of events like this one, many of these common waste products are safely recycled. Honoring 50-Year Voters in Carbon County
Rep. Heffley, Carbon County Commissioners Wayne Nothstein, Rocky Ahner, and Michael Sofranko, and I hosted a breakfast for citizens of Carbon County who have voted for 50 or more years. Congratulations to Robert Crampsie, Georgiann Davis, Dennis Frantz, Linda Guy, Jean Newton, William T. Newton, Rose Reese, James J. Sauka and Martha Francine Shemansik – you have all shown an exceptionally strong dedication to the civic duty of voting! Financial Assistance is Available to Struggling Veterans
Sometimes the people who defended our country fall on hard times and need a little help. Veterans who are experiencing unforeseen circumstances causing a financial burden can benefit from the Veterans Temporary Assistance (VTA) Program. The VTA provides temporary financial assistance of up to $1,600 in a 12-month period to veterans or their surviving spouses who reside in Pennsylvania for basic necessities like food, shelter, fuel and clothing. Eligibility guidelines are available here. Veterans interested in applying for a VTA grant should contact their county director of Veterans Affairs. Keystone Potato Products Nominated for National Award
Keystone Potato Products, a leading potato distributer based in Hegins, is a finalist for Food Processing Magazine’s Green Plant of the Year contest – a national competition! Please consider supporting them by casting your vote here. This poll closes on Labor Day. Upcoming Events
Rep. JoAnne Stehr and I are hosting a Coffee and Conversation event on Tuesday, September 3 from 8-9 a.m. at the Hegins Area Ambulance Association to hear directly from you about state and local issues – NO question is off limits. For more information or to RSVP, call 570-621-3400.
Rep. Heffley and I are hosting a Senior Expo in Lehighton on Wednesday, September 4 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. If you need assistance from local, county, or state agencies, stop by! More than 50 vendors will provide information about their services. If you have any questions about this event, please call 610-377-6363.
Rep. Dane Watro and I are hosting a Coffee and Conversation event on Friday, September 6 from 8-9 a.m. at the Strand Roller Rink to hear directly from you about state and local issues – NO question is off limits. For more information or to RSVP, call 570-453-1344.
Rep. Watro and I are hosting a seminar for senior citizens about how to avoid the latest scams on Tuesday, September 10 at 10 a.m. at the Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens Center. The seminar will be led by a representative from the Senior Protection Unit of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Information will be provided on how to look out for and avoid scammers posing as banks, caregivers, grandkids, government agencies, and more. RSVPs are required for this event. Call 570-773-0891 to reserve your spot today. |
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