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In this update:
Protecting Young Children from Sexually Explicit Material in Schools
As my colleague Sen. Michele Brooks asked, why can our youngest students be banned from drinking whole milk yet allowed to easily access pornographic materials in our public schools? I chaired a public hearing of the Senate Education Committee this week reviewing a bill that would require parental permission for students to view sexually explicit content. These inappropriate materials are not rumors – we saw real examples of explicit pictures and stories available to some of our youngest students. If you would like to see the proof, here it is: Viewer discretion is advised! After the hearing, the committee voted to send the bill to the full Senate. Parents deserve to decide when or if their children are exposed to this material. Free Scam Seminar in Hazleton
Rep. Dane Watro and I will be hosting a free scam seminar at 10 a.m. on October 27 at Faith Assembly of God Church in Hazleton. A representative from Pennsylvania State Police Troop N-Hazleton will present information and answer questions. With scammers becoming increasingly brazen and creative, we all need to be aware of how to protect ourselves from falling prey to these criminals. Tamaqua Hi-Rise Awarded State Grant for Critical Repairs
Photo by Jill Whalen, staff for Times News The Tamaqua Hi-Rise was awarded a state grant of almost $5 million to make crucial repairs and upgrades. One of the most important factors in any healthy downtown is quality housing—it’s important for the residents and it’s important for the entire community. When I would visit my grandmother Argall in this building, we would often walk down the street for pizza or a hoagie. The residents here are frequent customers of local shops, restaurants, and the supermarket. If we let important buildings like the Hi-Rise decay, we’re hurting the whole community. Senate Backs Israel, Condemns Hamas
Following the murderous attacks of innocent people by the terrorist group Hamas, the Senate approved a resolution condemning Hamas’ Oct. 7 carnage. Senate Resolution 185 shows Pennsylvania’s support of the Jewish people as they defend against this terrorist threat. It’s been heartbreaking to see the horrific stories of Hamas’ war crimes against the innocent people of Israel – thousands of civilians have been senselessly murdered. We must support Israel as they fight to defend themselves from these evil, despicable attacks. St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church Celebrates 100 YearsSt. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church of Frackville celebrated its 100th anniversary. The parish was organized on January 1, 1923 by about 40 local Polish families. Thank you for inviting Rep. Tim Twardzik and me to be a part of celebrating this important milestone. It takes inspired leadership and dedicated people for any organization to make it to 100 years. For my Polish American constituents: Gratulacje! (Congratulations!) Welcoming Williams Valley Students to the Capitol
I welcomed students from the Williams Valley School District to the Capitol this week and introduced them on the floor of the Senate. The students are part of the transition class which offers daily instruction in areas including social skills, independent living, preparing for post-secondary education and employment, and more. They provide services to local community members including writing thank you cards for Veterans Day for the residents at the Lebanon VA Hospital, making Christmas gifts and quilts for residents at Heritage Mills Personal Care Center in Tower City, packing food for students in need at Williams Valley, and providing over 900 Christmas Cards to residents in local nursing facilities in Dauphin and Schuylkill Counties. Improving Emergency Water Storage in Schuylkill CountyRep. Twardzik and I announced that the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority was awarded a loan to construct a second water storage tank at the Broad Mountain Water Filtration and Treatment Facility in New Castle Township. The new tank will provide additional water storage, improving the ability of the municipal authority to prevent interruptions in water service in case of emergencies or required maintenance. No community can function without clean, reliable drinking water. I’m thankful this important project won state support. Argall Report: Honoring our Coal Mining Heritage
The October edition of my local TV program highlights the recent dedication ceremony for Staudenmeier Station at Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train. This new train station named in memory of Schuylkill County Commissioner Frank Staudenmeier is a fitting tribute to a man who cared so much about this place, his hometown of Ashland, and our region. To learn more about the hard work, backbreaking and dangerous labor that our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents needed to perform in the mines to feed their families, visit the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train. In October, they’re open on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Bill Enhancing School Bus Safety Receives Senate Support
The Senate passed a bill to improve school bus safety by increasing penalties for those refusing to follow the law. Senate Bill 897 would give judges the discretion to increase fines above the current $250 for refusing to stop for a school bus when red lights are flashing or a stop arm is extended. It would also require repeat offenders to complete a PennDOT Driving Improvement School. Additionally, it would establish a new penalty for individuals who fail to proceed with caution past a school bus with flashing amber lights. Last Chance to Register to Vote in the Nov. 7 Election
If you wish to vote on Election Day on Nov. 7, you must be registered to vote by Monday, Oct. 23. There are four ways to register to vote: online, by mail, in person at your county voter registration office and at PennDOT and some other government agencies. Find the details about each of these methods here. |
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