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In this update:

• Why Pursue Higher Education?
• Students Become “Senators for a Day” in New Argall Report
• Punishing Looters and Thieves
• Hazleton Mayor and City Council Sworn In
• State Grant Improves Water Service in Tremont and Porter Townships
• Officiating Opportunities Available Throughout PA
• Recognizing Law Enforcement in Our Communities

Why Pursue Higher Education?

When considering the big step of pursuing higher education, it’s easy to find reasons to be discouraged. Thomas P. Foley, the President of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania, recently wrote a piece for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette debunking some of the most common critiques of higher education. 

While there are still many jobs available without a degree, a lack of higher education can limit your options. It’s estimated that by 2031, 70% of jobs will require some form of post-secondary education.

Read the full piece here.

Students Become “Senators for a Day” in New Argall Report

During a recent “Senator for a Day” seminar, one local high school student noted, “I’m not a big fan of politics, but this totally changed my mind on just how politics works.”

The January edition of my monthly tv show highlighted events I hosted at the Career and Technical Institute in Jim Thorpe and at Penn State Schuylkill.

Hundreds of students from high schools in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne Counties were given the chance to discuss and debate actual legislation currently under consideration in Harrisburg, including bills to require later school start times, drug testing for welfare recipients, and voter ID.

Punishing Looters and Thieves

I spoke with 6abc Action News about my bill to crack down on looters and thieves that was recently signed into law.

It’s disturbing to watch the videos of people stealing armfuls of items with impunity, unafraid of facing justice for their brazen crimes.

We need to show these criminals that if they steal, there will be consequences.

Hazleton Mayor and City Council Sworn In

From Left to Right: Rep. Dane Watro, me, Mayor Jeff Cusat, Council President James Perry, Council Vice President Mark Ondishin

This week, Jeff Cusat was sworn in for his third term as the Mayor of Hazleton, along with two new members of Hazleton City Council. Rep. Dane Watro and I were on hand to offer our congratulations.

I look forward to working with you all to breathe new life into Hazleton!

State Grant Improves Water Service in Tremont and Porter Townships

A new state grant for more than $430,000 will support an important project to replace a water storage tank in Tremont and Porter Townships.

As Rep. JoAnne Stehr and I have often noted, no community can function properly without up-to-date, sound water and sewer systems. These upgrades do not just allow for reliable water – they are also a key piece of breathing new life into older neighborhoods.

This highly competitive grant is in addition to more than $14.2 million were awarded to water and sewer system improvement projects in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne Counties two weeks ago.

Officiating Opportunities Available Throughout PA

There’s a shortage of referees, umpires and other high school officials in almost every sport. High school officials protect the integrity of the games our kids love to play.

Hours are flexible, and it’s a great way to stay in good physical condition. Find out how to become an official.

Recognizing Law Enforcement in Our Communities

Tuesday, Jan. 9, is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Protecting our communities is a dangerous and demanding job, but men and women across the state answered the call to public service. They leave their families not knowing if they’ll need to give their lives to keep us safe.

I appreciate their selflessness and commitment to others and was proud to vote for legislation to help them.

Act 60 of 2023 expands the list of law enforcement entities covered under the Heart and Lung Act, which provides for salary and medical expenses to be paid when an officer or firefighter is injured on the job. Other new laws passed by the Senate allow municipal police to conduct fingerprint-based criminal history checks on police applicants and funds an additional 100 Pennsylvania State Police troopers to help make our communities safer.

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