January’s ‘Argall Report’ highlights Berks County students becoming ‘Senators’ for a day 

My January television program highlights the inaugural ‘Senator for a Day’ program for Berks County high school students. This was my first-ever Berks County student government seminar at Penn State’s Berks Campus. I hold one each spring with Schuylkill high school students.

The November 19 event featured over 50 students from six Berks high schools, including Berks Catholic, Blue Mountain Academy, Conrad Weiser, Schuylkill Valley, Tulpehocken and Wilson.

You can see an image gallery from the event that I posted to my Facebook page and on my website.

Students are ‘sworn-in’ as Senators to start the program, and separate into four committees to debate and consider two mock Senate bills. The mock bills reflect actual legislation under review in the state Senate and House of Representatives, including local tax reform, education-related issues, welfare reform and others. The students are asked in advance to read news stories regarding the issues, oftentimes news reported from the state Capitol. 

This is an event I look forward to each year. We are already starting to plan the next Berks County ‘Senator for a Day’ event for later this year. 

The program is currently airing on local broadcast stations – you can find your local station and more information about the program here.

New law provides cosmetology students with streamlined licensing process in Pennsylvania 

Last week, I attended a ceremonial bill signing with Governor Corbett for a new law that provides cosmetology students with a streamlined process to obtain state licensure.  

My amendment allows cosmetology students to take one written examination after completing 80 percent of their coursework in an effort to boost licensure across the state.

Cosmetology students currently must pass a written and practical examination upon graduation from cosmetology school. The amendment incorporates aspects of the practical test into a single written test, providing students with a seamless transition from education to employment.

Joining me for the bill signing ceremony was Frank Schoeneman, Chairman and CEO of Empire Beauty Schools. Here is a link to the new law – Act 136 of 2014.

Thank you for following me on Twitter! 

Last week, I received my 2,000th follower on Twitter – I appreciate those of you who follow me on Twitter. I provide frequent updates from the state Capitol and around Schuylkill and Berks Counties. I also share information from other state, county and local agencies that you may find helpful. 

In the state Senate, I rank 11 out of 50 with the most followers. Thank you for following me! 

You can check out my Twitter page here, and I am also active on Facebook and Google+.

“Lagergate” 

As a proud Schuylkill County resident, I was disappointed to learn that one of the county’s chief exports was left off the menu at Governor Wolf’s inaugural festivities on Tuesday. I spoke with Dan Kelly of the Reading Eagle about the issue dubbed “Lagergate” and mentioned that the beer is brewed and enjoyed by both Republicans and Democrats. You can read the article, which appeared in Saturday’s Reading Eagle, here. (Subscription required)

Cheers!

Information on Pennsylvania’s new child protection laws

Based on feedback from local residents, I created a special link on my website with information to the state’s new child protection laws. These 23 pieces of legislation were passed in response to the Jerry Sandusky scandal this past session of the General Assembly. Here is a direct link to the new page. You can also access it on my website at www.SenatorArgall.com.

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