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In this Update:
Revitalization Efforts in White Haven Continue!
On Monday, I was invited by White Haven Borough leaders to review their ongoing downtown revitalization strategies which were recently awarded over $485,000 in state funding. They shared an excellent video highlighting its detailed Blueprint Community revitalization plan, the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway bringing new visitors from Jim Thorpe, Pittston, and beyond, continued expansion of the D&L Trail, and new community development, library, and infrastructure grants. White Haven is taking big steps forward for residents, businesses, and visitors and Rep. Jamie Walsh and I are pleased to support their efforts. Meeting with Students and Leaders at Penn State
I was recently invited to join Dr. Elizabeth Beckett-Camarata’s Public Policy Class at Penn State Harrisburg to discuss an issue impacting communities across Pennsylvania: access to affordable, accessible dental care, including Temple University’s plan to open its first-ever rural dental clinic and education center in Tamaqua this fall. I have asked the class to conduct a research project focused on this challenge and I look forward to seeing their policy recommendations.
Rep. Tim Twardzik and I also met with Penn State Schuylkill’s top leaders to discuss the campus’s continued growth and future opportunities. We were encouraged:
Dr. Cory Scherer, Director of Academic Affairs, shared that Penn State Schuylkill is recognized for having some of the strongest legislative and community relationships in the university system — something we are especially proud to support! Why is Temple’s New Rural Dental Clinic So Important?
Many people have asked why Temple University’s incoming Rural Dental Clinic and Education Center in Tamaqua is such a critical addition to our region. The answer is simple: access to dental care can literally mean the difference between life and death.
Advocates for this new center recently shared the book Teeth by Mary Otto with me, where I learned about the heartbreaking story of 12-year-old Deamonte Driver, a Maryland boy who died after an untreated tooth infection spread to his brain. I also learned about 6-year-old Alexander Callendar of Mississippi, who tragically passed away from complications caused by an abscessed tooth. These stories are devastating — and they are preventable. They highlight two major challenges we face: the shortage of accessible dental care in rural communities and the difficulty of finding dentists who accept Medicaid due to low reimbursement rates. Temple’s new clinic will help close these gaps by expanding access to care across Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties, training the next generation of dental professionals, and ensuring families in our region don’t have to face these tragedies due to lack of access or Medicaid restrictions. Around the District
I recently visited Asian Fusion, Pottsville’s newest restaurant, near my downtown office, and congratulated local restaurateur Jeff Chen on this venture. By utilizing the bipartisan conservatorship law that I cosponsored, the City of Pottsville placed a very historic, but abandoned, blighted property in the hands of a responsible developer in the heart of Garfield Square, where John F. Kennedy gave a memorable speech in October 1960. I thank Jeff and his team for their continued investment in downtown Pottsville.
On Saturday, I was invited to attend the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Schuylkill County Band at Tamaqua Area High School.
As part of the program, Mr. Bob Hunt — a long-time music teacher and Raider Band Director at Tamaqua Area — was recognized for more than thirty-six years of service to the school district and to the county band community, starting in 1964. As a Raider Band President from many years ago, congratulations, Mr. Hunt, and thank you for everything you’ve done for me and so many local students across our region! As this picture (I’m the kid with what my son and daughter have called the “old nerd glasses”) proves, I’ve known Mr. Hunt for a VERY long time!
On Sunday, I was invited to join the International Dominican event at The Pines Eatery in Hazleton for a celebration of Dominican culture and to honor several local business owners, community leaders, and organizations who make our region stronger. Rep. Dane Watro and I presented the organization with legislative certificates to mark the occasion.
On Wednesday, as part of Read Across America Week, I was invited to Heights Terrace Elementary School in Hazleton to read to Mrs. Matriccino’s third-grade class. We read Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss.
I also visited Luzerne County Head Start in Hazleton, where we read Wacky Wednesday and The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss. As the son of a school librarian, thank you to all the students, teachers, and staff for the warm welcome—and for celebrating the importance of reading!
Also on Wednesday, Rep. Dane Watro and I were asked to meet with leaders from the Luzerne County SPCA in our Hazleton office. The team shared new initiatives to keep pets in their homes, as well as their expansion plans at their new facility. I appreciate everything our SPCA’s do for animals and families alike. Key Points from Senate Budget Hearings
Efforts to trim the governor’s $53.3 billion proposed state budget – which would spend $2.7 billion (5.4%) more than the current budget – got underway recently with Senate budget hearings. Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee focused on how to identify and eliminate fraud during the hearing with the Department of Human Services, the highest-spending agency in the state budget. The department requests a 6.6% increase for 2026-27. The committee also questioned officials from the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Pennsylvania State Police about missing revenue, funding projections, cracking down on new, more sophisticated fake IDs and more. DGS seeks an 11.8% spending increase for 2026-27. You can go here to find recaps of every budget hearing, plus video and a schedule of remaining hearings, which run through March 5. What is a Local Conservation District?
From protecting waterways to preserving farmland, our local Conservation Districts are making a real impact across Carbon, Schuylkill, and Luzerne counties. Learn more about their efforts here. Focusing on Our Local Communities: Meet Tamaqua Council President Brian Connely
Welcome to another edition of the “Focusing 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 Tamaqua Borough Council President Brian Connely. Connely, a Republican, has been a member of the Tamaqua Borough Council for 19 years and has served as president for the past four years. Connely is a 1990 graduate of Tamaqua High School and attended Penn State Hazleton. After college, Connely started working in the fire truck industry in 2000, working at KME and Spartan Emergency Response and REV, which is where he is currently employed. “I decided to run for council because at the time, a group of us in the community were looking for some fresh faces to get involved,” said Connely. “With my fire service background, I also wanted to be a voice for our emergency services organizations throughout the community. I wanted to make sure they had adequate funding and the resources that they needed to keep our community safe.” Giving back to the community runs in Connely’s family. Connely has been a member of the American Hose Co. No. 1 for 36 years and currently serves as president. “I learned my sense of community pride from my family,” said Connely. “My dad was a retired fire chief here in town and my grandfather served on borough council for over 20 years. They taught me that there is always a way to give back to your community. Find out what that is and do it.” Connely is very proud of the numerous impactful community projects that the borough has been able to complete and some big projects that are presently ongoing. “We have some big projects going on right now. We’ve been able to secure grants for our overhaul of the Bungalow Pool, for our new police station and community center and a tremendous grant for upgrades to our sewer plant, and everyone knows we have a Temple Dental Education Center coming to our downtown,” said Connely. “In the past, we’ve been able to complete two major bridge projects at West and East Broad streets, repair the Owl Creek Reservoir and Owl Creek dams and upgrade our water filtration plant. It’s all about working together. We work well with all our community groups and elected officials, and we’ve been able to get a lot done through the CRIZ zone. We have a good team here in Tamaqua.” Upcoming Events in Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill Counties
Rep. Doyle Heffley and I are hosting two Senior Scam Seminars on Monday, March 16. The first event will be held at the Panther Valley Senior Center in Nesquehoning at 11 a.m. The second event will be held at the Forest Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Weatherly at 2 p.m. To register for either event, please call (610) 377-6363.
Rep. Dane Watro and I are hosting an electronics recycling event at the Laurel Mall parking lot (lower parking lot of Regal Cinema) on Saturday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We can accept a variety of items—please see the flyer above for details. Please note that a fee will apply for larger items due to recycling costs. If you have any questions, please scan the QR code on the flyer or call (570) 453-1344.
Rep. Doyle Heffley and I will host our annual Sportsmen & Outdoor Expo on Saturday, March 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Penn Forest Township Volunteer Fire Company. The expo will bring together a wide range of vendors and organizations connected to hunting, fishing, conservation, and outdoor recreation. Whether you are an experienced sportsman or simply enjoy the outdoors, there will be something for everyone. If you have any questions, please call (610) 377-6363.
Reps. Dane Watro, Tim Twardzik, Jamie Barton JoAnne Stehr, and I will also host a Sportsmen and Outdoor Expo on Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Columbia Hose Fire Company, Shenandoah. In addition to outdoor vendors and organizations, a Hunter Trapper Education Course will also be offered beginning at 7:30 a.m. Those interested in participating must register in advance by clicking here. For questions or additional information, please call 570-773-0891. For a full calendar of upcoming events, please click here. Quote of the Week
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke |
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