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In this Update:
Senate Majority Policy Committee Examines Aggressive Driving
On Tuesday, I chaired a Senate Majority Policy Committee public hearing impacting communities across Pennsylvania—the rise in aggressive driving. The committee heard powerful testimony about the tragic consequences of dangerous driving. Elizabeth Hocker shared the heartbreaking story of her son, Damien, who was killed in a hit-and-run just three blocks from his father’s home while walking home from the gym in 2024. Nicole Brunet, Director of 10,000 Friends of PA, also shared the tragic story of Billy McWilliams, a 16-year-old boy who was also killed in a hit-and-run while riding his bike. We reviewed strategies to crack down on illegal car meetups and strengthen traffic enforcement, both of which have contributed to reductions in crashes and fatalities. Advocates highlighted additional solutions moving forward, including safer infrastructure and road design, expanded use of speed and red-light camera enforcement, enhanced driver education, and improved emergency response strategies. Addressing aggressive driving requires a comprehensive approach—and this discussion was an important step toward making PA’s roads safer for everyone. BIG News for Route 309 Drivers
Rep. Dane Watro, Rep. Jamie Barton, and I recently learned that Route 309 between Ben Titus Road and Lofty Road near McAdoo is finally slated for a complete overhaul, with construction set to begin this month after years of bureaucratic delays. For all who drive this stretch in Rush and Kline Townships, this project is LONG OVERDUE! This nearly $4 million investment will improve both northbound and southbound lanes for the many drivers who rely on this busy corridor every day. The project will include a whole new surface, milling, concrete patching, shoulder reconstruction, center median mountable curb installation, new rumble strips, guide rail upgrades, and new pavement markings. It will also address longstanding concerns about water runoff and drainage beneath Route 309—an issue residents have raised for many years. In the near future, our local State Representatives and I will meet with PennDOT’s regional leaders to review this and other upcoming projects. Many residents have asked for additional details—we will report back soon. Palmerton Library Awarded $600,000 State Grant
Rep. Doyle Heffley and I recently learned the historic Palmerton Area Library has been awarded a $600,000 state grant to address water damage repairs to its century‑old building. The library was awarded this funding through the Keystone Grant for Public Library Facilities program. As the son of a librarian, I was pleased to see that this investment will breathe new life into an historic building and provide valuable opportunities for residents for years to come. Read more here. Attention Summer Job Seekers: Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation is Hiring
Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation, located just outside of Schuylkill Haven, is seeking applicants for various seasonal positions for its 100th Summer Camp season! Open positions include instructors in the areas of conservation, trades, climbing and high adventure, and swimming. All applicants for the remaining positions must be over the age of 18, with a preference for those over the age of 21. A Scouting background is preferred but not required. This isn’t just the site of my first summer job, many years ago—it’s a great opportunity for college students, future teachers, and retirees. The camp season begins on June 14th and concludes July 31st. All required training for these positions will be covered by Hawk Mountain Council, Scouting America. For questions and employment inquiries, please contact Camp Director Morgan Baxter by clicking here. Concealed Carry Seminar in Ashland
Thank you to all who attended this week’s concealed carry seminar which I co-hosted with Rep. Tim Twardzik. We had more than 50 people join us in Ashland to learn more about how to safely and lawfully exercise our Second Amendment rights. Special thanks to Schuylkill County Sheriff Shawn Butler and Jim Stoker from Firearms Owners Against Crime for leading the presentation. Free Dental Clinic Coming to Our Region this May
As preparations continue at the Temple Rural Dental Clinic & Education Center in Tamaqua, there are other upcoming opportunities to receive free dental care in our region. The Pennsylvania Dental Foundation will host its Mom-n-PA Program, an annual, two-day, free dental clinic for underserved Pennsylvanians on Friday, May 29th and Saturday, May 30th. Treatment is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more details about this opportunity, please visit http://www.mom-n-pa.com/patient-information/. Argall Report: Policy Committee Examines Childhood Food Allergies
This month’s Argall Report focuses on a recent Senate Majority Policy Committee hearing which examined a growing public health challenge: the rapid rise of childhood food allergies. Nearly 1.3 million Pennsylvanians live with a food allergy. Over the past 20 years, rates have climbed 50% — with peanut and tree nut allergies up 300%. We heard compelling testimony that the early introduction of peanut and egg products can reduce the risk of developing these allergies by more than 80%. Sen. Camera Bartolotta’s bill, Senate Bill 978, which I have cosponsored, will require no-cost insurance coverage for these preventative supplements — a practical step to improve children’s health, reduce long-term costs, and ease the burden on families, especially in rural areas where access to specialists is limited. Watch the full Argall Report here. Focusing on Our Local Communities: Meet Hazle Township’s Jim Montone
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. This week, we focus on Hazle Township Supervisor, Jim Montone, a Republican member of the Hazle Township Board of Supervisors for 13 years. Montone was born and raised in Hazleton and graduated from Hazleton Area in 1972. Montone then went into manufacturing, where he worked in the tool and die industry and truck fabrication industry for 25 plus years. He finished his career working at the Greater Hazleton Joint Sewer Authority. “I first got involved with the township when the supervisors asked me if I was interested in the zoning board. I did that for 14 years and I was able to talk to a lot of people in the township and get to know them, and I got a feel for what the community wanted,” said Montone. “So, then I decided to run for supervisor, and I won and the rest is history. I really enjoy doing it because I really love this community. When my wife and I got married 37 years ago, we moved here and we really like this area.” Montone is also proud of the work the supervisors and township staff have been able to accomplish over the past 13 years. “We wanted to bring in more jobs, and we’ve been able to do that. That of course creates more revenue and tax dollars. We wanted to have the best roads in the area and we do. We paved 42 roads last year and we’re doing another 25-30 this year,” said Montone. “I also think we have the best firefighting equipment in the area to keep our community safe. And we have an eight-phase plan on the books to improve Community Park with new playground equipment for children with special needs, handicapped access to Lake Irena, walking trails and more. And we’ve been able to do all this without raising taxes. Taxes haven’t been raised in Hazle Township in 25 years.” April 23: Concealed Carry Seminar in West Hazleton
Rep. Dane Watro and I will host a concealed carry seminar on Thursday, April 23rd at the West Hazleton Borough Building to educate gun owners about state laws regarding firearms. This event will be led by Luzerne County District Attorney Samuel Sanguedolce. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the program will start at 6:00 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. April 28: Veteran Service Officer Day
My office hosts monthly Veteran Service Officer Day’s to help veterans and their loved ones navigate and apply for benefits earned through military service. Our next scheduled date is Tuesday, April 28th, in my Mahanoy City Office. For an appointment, please call (570) 773-0891. PA Bald Eagle Cam Livestreams America’s Living Symbols
The Pennsylvania Game Commission livestream of a bald eagle nest in Codorus State Park in York County offers viewers an incredible look at a pair of eagles and their three eggs. The nest has never seen three eggs in one season since the webcam first started in January 2015. The eggs were laid in early March and typically take around 35 days to hatch, so viewers could see eaglets emerging in the coming days. Quote of the Week
“The best social program is a job.”– Ronald Reagan |
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