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In this Update:
Can PA Duplicate the “Mississippi Miracle” in Young Student Reading Instruction?
This week, the Senate Majority Policy Committee, which I chair, held a hearing to review how new requirements for reading instruction have benefited students in Mississippi. I advocated for similar new laws in Pennsylvania which passed in 2024, requiring schools to identify struggling students early and provide new resources to teachers. These laws were enacted after Mississippi increased its reading scores from among the lowest in the country to far above the national average, a low-cost turnaround often called the “Mississippi Miracle.” Read more here. Dental Care at Temple’s School of Dentistry – From Philadelphia to Tamaqua and Beyond!
The Senate Majority Policy Committee convened at Temple University’s Kornberg School of Dentistry in Philadelphia this week to discuss new strategies to improve dental care and access across PA, including Temple University’s plans for a first-ever Rural Dental Clinic and Education Center in Tamaqua. The new 24-chair education center and clinic, once complete, will train 20 dental students who will live in student apartments downtown during their final two years of study and provide affordable care for residents across Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties. Temple is also in discussions with several local community colleges to launch some much- needed new dental hygiene programs. Reform Measures Targeting Fraud and Waste
As we begin the second year of the 2025-26 legislative session, here’s a brief look at what we did last year to target fraud and waste, fix Pennsylvania’s broken system for issuing permits and more. Enacted with the state budget was sweeping permitting reform that sets clear timelines for state agencies to review permit applications and creates a permit tracking system, benefiting citizens and job creators. The budget also included measures, which I sponsored, that ensure individuals receiving Medical Assistance and SNAP benefits qualify for these taxpayer dollars, preventing dead people from receiving benefits. The Senate also passed legislation to eliminate 13 unnecessary boards, commissions and advisory committees and require automatic review of costly regulations. You can find information on more government reform bills and other notable Senate-passed legislation here. U.S. Supreme Court Hears Cases on Fairness in Female Athletics
The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard arguments in two cases involving state laws designed to safeguard women’s sports. Here in Pennsylvania, I supported the Save Women’s Sports Act, which will ensure athletic teams designated for women are reserved for biological females in Pennsylvania’s K–12 and collegiate sports. Senate Bill 9 reinforces the original intent of Title IX by ensuring female athletes are not denied scholarships, placements or opportunities due to unfair competition from biological males. It acknowledges biological realities and helps guarantee a safe, level playing field for women and girls. The bill passed the Senate in May 2025 and is awaiting action in the state House of Representatives. Need Help? Call My Offices!
Need assistance with a state-related issue? Visit 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. In 2025 alone, we helped address more than 9,000 problems for the people of Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties, including:
In addition, we also responded to over 8,800 inquiries on legislative matters. 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 PA State Rep. Dane Watro, Pottsville with PA State Rep. Tim Twardzik, and Weissport with PA State Rep. Doyle Heffley can be found here. Congratulations to Our Region’s Newest Nurses!
Congratulations to the latest Practical Nursing graduates from Penn State Hazleton! These 17 new Licensed Practical Nurses are stepping into a critical role in our local health care workforce and their success is a clear reminder of why strong, local higher education matters. Programs like this don’t just change individual lives — they strengthen our entire region by preparing students for in-demand careers right here at home. The 18-month practical nursing program continues to grow, with strong enrollment numbers demonstrating sustained demand. The current cohort of 27 students began their studies in August 2025, and 40 students are enrolled to start the program in August 2026. Many of the graduates and currently enrolled students are bilingual, a vital asset in serving patients across the region. This is why we worked so hard last year to protect and preserve our local Penn State campuses. Penn State Hazleton and Schuylkill are delivering real results for students, employers, and our communities, and these graduates are proof that those efforts were worth it. Well done to the graduates and the faculty who helped make this achievement possible! Around the District This Week
On Saturday, Rep. Dane Watro and I visited Jehandry’s Cakes, a new bakery in Hazleton, to congratulate them on their new venture. What was once a blighted, decaying building is now operating as a busy, locally owned business. Make sure to pay them a visit at 34 W 9th St, Hazleton, just steps away from the Hazleton Elementary/Middle School.
Congratulations to Anne Grochowski on her well-earned retirement after 35 years of dedicated service as West Mahanoy Township tax collector! She collected taxes just a few blocks from where my father was born—in a 1935 doctor’s office above a bar in Shenandoah Heights! Rep. Tim Twardzik, Commissioner Gary Hess, the Township Supervisors and I presented her with her awards Monday evening. Read more here.
On Saturday, I was pleased to honor Walter Mitchell for his more than three decades of distinguished service as Mayor of Bear Creek Village. In addition to his leadership as mayor, Walter proudly served our country in the U.S. Army and went on to successful careers in public affairs, finance, and theater. Read more here. Congratulations to Palmerton’s Natalie Mosier!
Congratulations to Natalie Mosier of Palmerton on being named a recipient of the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show Scholarship! Seth Hubler, my communications director, presented Natalie with a citation on my behalf at the 2026 Scholarship Recognition Breakfast in Harrisburg. Congratulations to Stoker’s Brewing!
Congratulations to Doug Drost at Stoker’s Brewing Company in downtown Tamaqua! His handcrafted beers, including his Kindling Kwad and Myrtille Wild Blueberry Lambic, brought home awards at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, marking four years of consecutive wins! Read more here. Sign Up for My Veterans E-News
The latest edition of my Veterans E-Newsletter is now available. To keep veterans and their loved ones in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties informed about local events, legislative updates from Harrisburg, and state resources, my office distributes a veterans e-newsletter every month. If you or someone you know is a veteran, sign up here. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for peace, even while he worked to instill change. President Ronald Reagan signed legislation into law in 1983 that made the third Monday in January a federal holiday honoring his life.
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