|
|||||
|
In this Update:
Why are Electricity Prices Rising, and What Can PA Do About It?
I recently chaired a Senate Majority Policy Committee hearing in Shenandoah to examine a problem that is hitting families and businesses across Pennsylvania: rising electric bills. The solution starts with a simple principle — we need more energy production, not more restrictions on producing energy. Pennsylvania has tremendous energy resources, including natural gas, coal, and coal refuse. At the same time, electricity demand is growing. If we continue retiring reliable power plants faster than we build new generation, consumers will continue to face higher costs and greater reliability concerns. That is especially true when neighboring states continue to shut down reliable generation and rely on the same regional PJM electric grid. We also heard about the important role Schuylkill County’s coal refuse power plants play. These facilities generate electricity while cleaning up mine-scarred land, restoring streams and creating good-paying jobs. We can meet our growing energy needs and protect our environment. Pennsylvania has made tremendous progress in cleaning up the environmental damage of the past, and we should continue that progress while making sure families can afford to heat and power their homes. The goal should be clear: more reliable Pennsylvania energy, fewer unnecessary regulations, and more affordable electric bills. Welcoming Temple President John Fry to Tamaqua
I was invited to tour the ongoing progress at the Temple Dental Education Center & Clinic and Student Apartments in Tamaqua with Temple University President Dr. John Fry, Dean of the Kornberg School of Dentistry Dr. Amid Ismail, and several other university leaders.
Construction continues to move forward, with dental suites nearing completion and interior framing now finished in the student apartments. Soon, 20 dental students will call Tamaqua home while providing dental care to patients throughout our region.
We also had the opportunity to meet Temple’s newly hired employees, who are currently training at Lehigh Carbon Community College’s Tamaqua Campus, alongside LCCC President Dr. Ann Bieber.
This will help address our region’s dental workforce shortage, expand access to care, create jobs, and provide new opportunities for students and families in our community.
It is incredibly exciting to see this vision becoming a reality. I’m grateful to President Fry, Temple University, LCCC, my elected colleagues, community partners, and the many people who believed in this project and continue working to get it across the finish line. Temple University is building something that will make a difference for generations to come… right here! Around the District
Thank you to the nearly 30 people who joined Rep. Dane Watro and our staff members in Hazle Township to replace damaged license plates. Special thanks to PA State Trooper Anthony Petroski of Troop N, Hazleton who assisted with the event and carried out the plate inspections.
Brenda Swank from my office recently participated in Rep. Tim Twardzik’s well-attended Community Resource Fair at the Fairlane Village Mall. Thank you to all the vendors that shared resources with local residents and to everyone that stopped by!
I stopped by the first-ever Great Pottsville Cleanup, organized by Councilman Andy Wollyung. Kudos to Andy, all the volunteers and the local businesses that came together to make this such a great community effort!
I also participated in “Pottsville at War: A Civil War Walking Tour,” sponsored by the Schuylkill County Historical Society and led by local historian Jake Wynn. The 90-minute tour included stops at the historic 1851 Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Passenger Depot, the Henry Clay Monument, St. Patrick’s Church on Mahantongo Street and several other sites that helped tell Pottsville’s story during the Civil War.
It was a great day to see people working together to improve the community while also learning more about the history that makes Pottsville and our region so special.
I was recently invited to attend “The Faces of Tragedy: Their Voices Live On” in Schuylkill Haven, an important event honoring lives lost to substance-related tragedies, supporting those in recovery, and raising awareness about the devastating impact of addiction. The stories shared were a powerful reminder that addiction can affect any family. These stories are why I co-sponsored Tyler’s Law. The Senate passed the legislation in a bipartisan 33-16 vote in April 2025, but it has remained in a House committee for more than a year. We need to hold accountable those who knowingly distribute fentanyl and other deadly drugs. At the same time, we must help people in recovery rebuild their lives. Organizations like Hope & Coffee in Tamaqua and Safe Streets of Tamaqua’s Little Feet are doing tremendous work providing opportunities, support, and education throughout our local communities.
I was recently invited to attend the ribbon cutting at the Pumpy Association’s new outdoor recreation space in East Union Township. The 110-acre parcel now features a new pavilion and will soon feature both a kitchen space to be used for community events and a fishing pond thanks to a state grant. It will also soon serve as the home for the local Boy Scouts. Congratulations to all the dedicated volunteers that made this project a reality!
Ashland’s National Night Out was well attended! Year after year, National Night Out builds stronger community bonds between police, firefighters, EMS, and all who work to keep our communities safe. Brenda Swank from my Mahanoy City office was there with information for children about safety and more. Need Help? Call my Offices!
Need assistance with a state-related issue? Call my district offices! Our common requests include providing help with property tax/rent rebate forms, driver’s license applications, obtaining birth certificates, filing unemployment, and retrieving unclaimed property. Since January, we have helped file over 600 property tax rebates and 275 birth certificate applications for the residents of Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties. If you ever have a state government related question or problem, we’re here to help! The locations and contact information for my district offices in Hazleton and Mahanoy City with Rep. Dane Watro, Pottsville with Rep. Tim Twardzik, and Weissport with Rep. Doyle Heffley can be found here. Reporting Suspected Benefits Fraud
You can help eliminate fraud in benefits programs such as cash assistance, food stamps, childcare, home energy assistance and medical assistance. Suspected fraud can be reported to the Office of the State Inspector General. A complaint should be completed only if an individual has been issued benefits that you believe the individual was not entitled to receive. Report suspected fraud to the State Inspector General here. Upcoming Events in Carbon & Schuylkill Counties
In partnership with the Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance, Rep. Tim Twardzik and I are hosting a scam seminar on Monday, August 31 at 1 p.m. at the Frackville Elks Lodge. With scammers becoming increasingly brazen and creative, we all need to be aware of how to protect ourselves from falling prey to these criminals. David Shallcross, the Director of the Senior Protection Unit of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, will lead the discussion. RSVPs are required for this event. Please call 570-773-0891 to reserve your spot today.
Did you know one in 10 Pennsylvanians have unclaimed property waiting to be claimed? Unclaimed property can include things such as forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payments, utility deposits, or the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes that have been turned over to the state for safekeeping. To return this property to its rightful owners, Rep. Doyle Heffley and I will partner with the Pennsylvania Treasury to host an unclaimed property event on Wednesday, September 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Palmerton Library. Questions and to RSVP—call (570) 773-0891.
Mark your calendars: Rep. Doyle Heffley and I are hosting our annual Senior Citizens Expo on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Co. in Lehighton. Exhibitors from local, county, and state agencies will be on hand with information about the services they provide. Free flu shots will also be available! Last year, we had more than 1,000 people join us – don’t miss it! For more information, please call 570-521-9441. Focusing on Our Local Communities: Meet Jim Thorpe’s Mike Yeastedt
Welcome to the latest edition of “Focusing on our Local Communities,” where we interview, on a bipartisan basis, a key local leader in one of the 102 municipalities that I represent in Carbon, Schuylkill, and Luzerne counties. This week, we focus on Jim Thorpe Borough Council Vice President Mike Yeastedt. A Lehighton native, Yeastedt graduated from Lehighton High School in 1974 and moved to Jim Thorpe in 1979 after marrying his wife, Annie McArdle. He attended Penn State Hazleton before beginning a long career with Conrail Railroad Corporation, working as an engineer in the civil construction department. After more than 40 years of service, he retired as the Director of Civil Construction. A dedicated volunteer firefighter, Yeastedt, a Democrat, decided to run for council to ensure that the town’s first responders had a strong voice in local government. “The main reason I wanted to get involved was to make sure that the fire departments and our other first responders had a voice on council. I wanted to protect our fire departments and make sure they had everything they needed to protect our community,” Yeastedt said. “I also wanted to perform my civic duty. Shortly after joining council, I was put in charge of major renovation and building projects at Memorial Hall, the new Public Works garage, and the various phases at Memorial Park, along with several other projects.” Yeastedt’s commitment to public service runs deep. He has served as a firefighter and EMT in Jim Thorpe since 1979. He is currently treasurer for both Onoko Fire and Rescue and the Mauch Chunk Fire Relief Association, and he serves as Vice President of the Lehighton Ambulance Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Jim Thorpers Bicycle Team, which raises funds through an annual 65-mile charity ride from Philadelphia to Atlantic City in support of the Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation. Now in his seventh year on council, Yeastedt is especially proud of the progress made by the streets department. “I’m proud of the work our streets department is doing. As the head of that committee, it’s been great working with the guys who are doing a great job for the borough. We’ve been able to increase our budget, purchase new equipment that allows us to handle more of the street work ourselves, and replace many of our older vehicles,” Yeastedt added. Quote of the Week
“The duty of the present is to build for the future, not for today alone” – President William McKinley |
|||||
|
|||||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2026 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://www.senatorargall.com | Privacy Policy |
