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In this Update:
Governor’s 2026 Spending Plans: Areas of Agreement AND Serious Concerns
PA families are grappling with the rising cost of living as we begin to review Governor Shapiro’s proposed $53.3 billion budget for 2026–27. The Governor’s plan represents a $2.7 billion spending increase—and is only balanced by withdrawing $4.6 billion from our emergency funds. During last year’s long budget battle, the Senate’s insistence on restrained spending is the only reason this budget does not include major tax increases. We’ve fought to eliminate harmful proposals like the $1.5 billion RGGI electricity tax There are areas where the Governor and I agree. Housing affordability is a real challenge here in Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties. However, lasting solutions require assisting homeownership, quality rental availability, reducing unnecessary regulations, and more quality jobs—not expanding bureaucracy. I’m also encouraged to see a positive shift in the Governor’s energy policy. The hundreds of millions in new electricity taxes proposed were dropped from this year’s budget. With PJM warning of power supply shortfalls beginning in 2027, Pennsylvania must focus on increasing energy supply and making electricity more affordable. My Legislation Advancing in Harrisburg This Week
The PA Senate unanimously approved my bipartisan legislation Tuesday to help address Pennsylvania’s long-term care workforce shortage. Senate Bill 116 would allow high school juniors and seniors to earn graduation credit by working or volunteering in licensed care settings that provide 24-hour care and supervision for the elderly. Too many of our families, including mine, have faced the difficult decision of moving a parent or grandparent into a long-term care center. The professionals who provide their care are facing increasing challenges because of workforce shortages. This bill, if approved by the House of Representatives and signed by the governor, would show students what a career in long-term care looks like, encouraging them to consider it as they prepare to enter the workforce. This bill, which is part of a broader bipartisan package aimed at strengthening the long-term care workforce, now advances to the House of Representatives. Senate Bill 114 and Senate Bill 115, which are part of this package, were passed by the Senate last year and are awaiting action in the House of Representatives. Senate Bill 331 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, a multistate agreement that makes it easier for licensed cosmetologists to obtain a multistate license and work in participating states without unnecessary red tape. The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Continued Progress in Fighting Retail Theft
In just its first year, Attorney General Dave Sunday and the 15 agents of the Organized Retail Crime Unit — created through legislation I sponsored and guided into law — have surpassed 100 investigations, with cases in 52 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Working together with local law enforcement, the unit is taking down organized criminal networks and making our communities safer. These results show why this bipartisan reform earned strong support in both the Senate and the House. In Philadelphia, retail theft is down 13% and arrest rates are up 40% in the past year alone. Thank you to Attorney General Sunday and the dedicated professionals of the Organized Retail Crime Unit and local law enforcement agencies for their tireless work protecting our communities. Read more here. Welcoming Our Neighbors to the State Capitol
On Tuesday, I was joined by Bob Carl and Samantha Chivninski from the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and Michelle Dallago from The Perception Training Center, as they listened to Governor Shapiro’s 2026-27 budget address. During last year’s budget negotiations, I worked with Bob, Sam, Michelle, and many others to secure increased investment in Pennsylvania’s childcare system. Our goal was simple: help more working families access high-quality care and early education, support the dedicated professionals who make it possible, and ensure more Pennsylvanians can stay in the workforce.
Alexis Butler, a student at Pine Grove High School, was selected as State Treasurer of the Pennsylvania FFA Association. Alexis represents Pine Grove FFA with and this leadership role is an achievement that reflects her hard work. In honor of National FFA Week, the PA FFA State Officer Team was recognized at the Capitol. FFA plays a vital role in developing the next generation of leaders in agriculture, education, and our communities. Congratulations, Alexis! Bipartisan Cell Phone Legislation Passes PA Senate
Finally! On Tuesday, Senate Bill 1014, the “bell-to-bell phone-free schools” bill, which I co-sponsored, was approved with overwhelming, bipartisan support (46-1) in the PA Senate, and now heads to the House of Representatives for approval. We’re one step closer to making every public school in PA a phone-free zone during the school day, with sensible exceptions for medical needs, IEP/504 accommodations, ESL translation, or teacher-approved instruction. During a hearing on this issue late last year, I shared concerns from a visit with educators at the Panther Valley School District. I agreed with Aaron Chapin of Hazleton, President of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, who represents more than 177,000 educators statewide—his organization supports restricting student cell phone use in public schools. Evidence shows that cell phones have become a major factor in classroom distractions, cheating, bullying, and safety concerns—a growing issue students and educators across Pennsylvania are facing. Rep. Watro’s Cursive Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk
Congratulations to my legislative partner in the State House, Rep. Dane Watro. His House Bill 17 — requiring public schools to teach cursive writing — passed the Pennsylvania Senate today with overwhelming bipartisan support (42–5). The bill now heads to the Governor for his signature. Breathing New Life into Downtown Pottsville
Pottsville was recently awarded $1 million from the Multimodal Transportation Fund to enhance sidewalks and streets in the city. Rep. Tim Twardzik and I were pleased to advocate for this important funding. The funding will support a streetscape improvement project aimed at revitalizing the pedestrian corridor connecting the iconic Yuengling Brewery to downtown Pottsville businesses, helping to boost its economic impact across the city. Yuengling Brewery attracts more than 70,000 visitors annually. Newly elected Mayor Tom Smith: “On behalf of Pottsville, I want to sincerely thank Sen. Argall and Rep. Twardzik for their leadership in securing this $1 million state grant to revitalize our downtown. This funding reflects a true partnership between our city and our legislators, working together to breathe new life into our downtown, enhancing public spaces, strengthening our local economy and supporting the small businesses that make our community thrive. Together, we’re building a downtown that honors Pottsville’s history while creating a vibrant future for residents and visitors alike.” Rep. Twardzik and I enjoyed working with Pottsville’s past mayors and councils, and we really appreciate the new mayor and council’s enthusiastic start in attacking blight and revitalization efforts in the downtown and across the city’s many neighborhoods, including the new Rosalia Hotel, the Yuengling Brewery, many small businesses and new market-rate apartments downtown now in development. Focusing On Our Local Communities: Meet Councilman Scott Price
Welcome to the first edition of “Focus on our Local Communities.” Each week, we will interview, on a bipartisan basis, a key local leader in one of the 102 municipalities that I represent in Carbon, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties to better understand their goals for their community. This week, we focus on Pottsville native Scott Price, recently elected to Pottsville City Council in November 2025. Scott is a proud Pottsville resident who was born and raised in the area. Price has a background in business, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Purdue University. Price believes in the practice of finding your “true north,” discovering the best version of yourself based on your values and your beliefs. Price is looking forward to working hard with his fellow council members and mayor to find the City of Pottsville’s “true north.” “In business, we always talk about finding the ‘true north’ of your business,” said Price. “The reason why I ran, was to help Pottsville to do just that. I want to help come up with a strategic vision for the city. I want us to have a plan, so we can say this is where Pottsville is going to be in three years, five years, and seven years down the road.” Fostering relationships and connecting with the citizens of Pottsville is a top priority for Price. Price believes that the city council members need to put themselves in the residents’ shoes to make the best possible decisions for the city. “I think in the past there was kind of a disconnect between the city and its residents. We must put ourselves in our residents’ shoes. We have to know what our residents are going through,” said Price. “Building relationships with our residents and the organizations that can help improve our city in the Schuylkill Chamber, SEDCO, PADCO and our community action groups is going to be key to our future.” BIG changes at No. 9 Coal Mine in Lansford
Zachary Petroski, Director of the No.9 Coal Mine & Museum, recently shared with me that the attraction hit a major milestone in 2025 with over 15,176 mine tour admissions—a win for our region! With the newly constructed Dorrance Fan Exhibit Building, the team expects even more visitors. The exhibit will showcase two of the largest steam-powered mine ventilation fans ever used in the Anthracite Region, along with larger mine equipment never on display. Stop by and see all the exciting updates this year! Open April through November, Wednesday–Sunday. Hazleton Chamber Announces Upcoming Events
The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce has released its latest lineup of community and business events. Details and registration information, and a full calendar of events are available here.
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