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In this Update:
Rallying for Literacy
On Monday, I joined education leaders in the Capitol Rotunda to support literacy programs in our schools. A recent Senate Hearing I chaired focused on improving reading outcomes for Pennsylvania students. We examined how Mississippi’s low-cost reforms—often called the “Mississippi Miracle”—have produced dramatic gains, especially for disadvantaged students. In 2024, Pennsylvania took an important step forward by passing new laws to identify struggling readers early and provide teachers with additional resources. These changes reflect lessons learned from Mississippi’s success. But Mississippi didn’t just update its curriculum—they fully embraced the “science of reading,” invested in teacher training, and built strong accountability into their system. Pennsylvania is on the right track, but to ensure every child can read—regardless of zip code—we must remain committed to fully implementing these reforms. Read more here. Welcoming Visitors to the State Capitol
This week, I met with leaders from local United Way affiliates to discuss the childcare provider shortage and the value of the PA211 program in connecting families with critical services.
I also congratulated Dr. Kent Trachte, the former president of my alma mater, Lycoming College, on his recognition by the Association of Independent Colleges for Outstanding Service to Higher Education.
I met with Dr. Chip Edmonds, the new President of Lycoming College, in my Harrisburg office. We discussed a variety of issues, including the John E. Morgan Scholarship at Lycoming and how much college life has changed since I first attempted to tackle policy problems as a member of its Student Assembly. This endowment provides annually renewable scholarships for incoming Lycoming students who have graduated from high schools in Schuylkill County. Students are eligible for up to $7,000, annually renewable for up to four years. For more information, click here.
The leaders of the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit and Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 visited my capitol office to discuss issues affecting intermediate units across our region. Around the District
Marianne Garfield of Summit Hill was honored with the Shamrock Award by the Panther Valley Irish American Association, recognizing her lifetime of dedication to young children and individuals with disabilities.
Thank you to the hundreds of people who joined us for our Annual Sportsman & Outdoor Expo in Jim Thorpe! The event featured nearly 40 vendors.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our well-attended electronics recycling event at the Laurel Mall in Hazleton on Saturday. Our teams recycled over a thousand televisions, computer monitors, cell phones and more to help keep waste out of landfills. My office will be hosting more events like this soon. Stay tuned!
Sunday night, I was invited to attend the American Cancer Society Cancer Fighters’ Dinner at Chantilly’s Restaurant in Barnesville. During the event, Bob Carl, President of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, was named the first-ever recipient of the Billie Payne Leadership Award—a well-deserved recognition of his leadership and service. Recognizing Our Newest Eagle Scouts
Mason Warg, Landon Abelovsky, and Carla Firestone were just honored for earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Mason, a senior at Pine Grove Area High School, replaced a bridge at Frog Hollow in Schuylkill Haven.
Landon, a senior at Lehighton Area High School, poured a concrete pad and built four picnic tables for the Baer Memorial Park Pavillion in Lehighton. During his time in Scouting, he earned an impressive 52 merit badges.
Carla, a sophomore at Pine Grove Area High School, created a pollinator garden for the Red Creek Wildlife Center in Schuylkill Haven. Notably, Carla helped start her all female unit and is the first Eagle Scout from Troop 412G in Lebanon. Congratulations to all these young leaders and all those that guided them down the long trail to Eagle Scout! Focusing on Our Local Communities: Meet Deer Lake’s Dave Crouse
Welcome to another 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. As the photo above indicates, I’ve known Deer Lake Borough Council President Dave Crouse for a long time! Dave has been a Republican member of council for 43 years and has served as president for 42. He grew up in Deer Lake and is a 1974 graduate of Blue Mountain High School. Dave’s a busy guy: the chair of the Southern Schuylkill Council of Governments, a member of the Deer Lake Recreation Commission, an active member of the PA Restaurant Association and a past member of the Men of Malvern and the St. Ambrose Men’s Club. “All the way back when I was 27 years old, 43 years ago, people came to me and asked me to get involved, and I said okay, that I would run. I ran with two other guys at the time and we all got in,” said Crouse. “Since then, we’ve been able to accomplish a lot of good things. We’ve drained and rehabbed the lake three times. We’re in the process of doing it for the third time right now. We’re doing a lot of upgrades with the help of grant funding to upgrade the mechanical and technological aspects of the dam. We’ve also been able to do a lot with the roads, recreation, lighting, and parking around the lake.” Soon after graduation, Crouse went into the restaurant business, first owning a restaurant in Tremont from 1974-78. Crouse then pivoted, opening 3C’s Family Restaurant in Port Clinton, which he still owns and operates today with his wife and two sons. “This is my 53rd year in the restaurant business. My wife Diane has been such a big help. And now my sons are involved. Jason does all the IT and Brian helps me with the day-to-day operations.” said Crouse. “Everybody does their part and we’ve enjoyed doing it. Soon I’ll be going into semi-retirement, but I’ll always be around and helping. If something breaks, I’m still the guy who fixes it. Upcoming Events
Reps. Dane Watro, Tim Twardzik, Jamie Barton JoAnne Stehr, and I will also host a Sportsmen and Outdoor Expo this 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.
Rep. Tim Twardzik and I will host a concealed carry seminar on Tuesday, April 7th at the Ashland Gun & Country Club to educate gun owners about state laws regarding firearms. This event will be led by Schuylkill County Sheriff Shawn Butler and Jim Stoker from Firearms Owners Against Crime. Registration will begin at 5:00 p.m., and the program will start at 5:30 p.m. Seating for this event is limited. Those interested in attending should RSVP by calling 570-773-0891. For a full calendar of upcoming events, please click here. Promoting Reading for Lifelong Success
March is National Reading Month – a time to encourage children, families and communities to make reading a daily habit. Studies show childhood reading difficulties often lead to long-term, negative effects throughout life. Working with our schools to help improve literacy is vital as we help the next generation build a strong educational foundation. As part of the current state budget, we established important evidence-based reading instruction requirements. With a concerted effort, we can dramatically improve students’ chances of success and instill the excitement that comes with fostering a love of reading from a young age. Quote of the Week
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Ronald Reagan
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