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In this Update:
This is NOT FAKE News—Temple’s Tamaqua Dental Education Center is Under Construction
When we first announced that Temple University would open a first-of-its-kind, new small-town dental education center, clinic, and student housing in downtown Tamaqua, some people criticized me, arguing that this news was simply too good to possibly be true. Well…. in the last few days, construction workers have begun sawing through cement at Temple’s new Dental Education Center and Clinic and the student apartments on Center and West Broad Streets. Rep. Jamie Barton and I joined Dr. Amid Ismail from the Kornberg School of Dentistry to see the dust flying first-hand.
Why is this SO important? Let’s begin with the tragic stories of eight-year-old Deamonte Driver and six-year-old Alexander Callendar. Deamonte, of Maryland, was waiting for a simple $80 tooth extraction, but his family was uninsured and had a difficult time finding a dentist. Bacteria from the abscess in Deamonte’s tooth spread to his brain by the time he received attention for his toothache. Following six weeks in the hospital and two operations, Deamonte passed away. Alexander, of Mississippi, tragically passed away the same year on a ride home from school due to complications caused by an abscessed tooth that resulted in septic shock. It is difficult to know how quickly something like this will set in with children, so it is important to get proper dental care quickly. These stories are devastating — and they are totally preventable. This fall, Temple’s new Tamaqua location will expand access to this life-saving care across Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties, training the next generation of dental professionals. Twenty dental students, living here and providing quality care, helping thousands of people— this may be some of the best news in a long, long time—and there’s nothing FAKE about this news. If you don’t believe me, take a walk through downtown Tamaqua—but watch out for the construction equipment! Senate Majority Policy Committee Examines Dental Workforce Shortages in Luzerne County
On Monday, I chaired a Senate Majority Policy Committee public hearing in Luzerne County on Pennsylvania’s severe dental care shortage. The committee heard compelling testimony about the real consequences of limited access to dental care. Dr. Roosevelt Allen shared that many of PA’s rural communities have become dental deserts, forcing residents to travel long distances for care. He advocated for the creation of an additional dental school in Pennsylvania—just like the one that will open in Tamaqua this fall with Temple University. Dr. James Mancini highlighted a study showing Pennsylvania ranked first in the nation for dentists leaving the state between 2014-2024. Ann Hoffman, dental program director at Central Penn College, emphasized that we simply do not have enough dental hygienists to meet demand. She noted that her program receives more than 200 qualified applicants each year but can accept only 27, underscoring the need for expanded educational opportunities. We also explored solutions to strengthen the dental workforce. Dr. Darleen Oleski, trustee of the Pennsylvania Dental Association, voiced support for my Senate Bill 888, which would streamline the insurance credentialing process and make Pennsylvania more attractive to new dentists. Dr. Michael Verber called for targeted investments in dental hygienist education programs, and Dr. Linda Straub-Bruce emphasized the importance of joining an interstate licensure compact and building stronger workforce pipelines through higher education and career and technical programs. Congressman Dan Meuser, Rep. Jamie Barton, and I have been working with community partners to bring Temple University’s first rural dental education center and clinic to Tamaqua. This 24-chair facility will host third and fourth-year dental students who will live downtown during their final two years of training while providing much-needed comprehensive care to underserved patients. Holding Toll Evaders Accountable
Senators Kim Ward and Judy Ward will introduce legislation to strengthen penalties for repeat toll evaders on the PA Turnpike. Specifically, this legislation will target individuals who have accumulated thousands of dollars in unpaid tolls. More than $200 million in unpaid tolls are being passed on to law-abiding drivers across Pennsylvania—raising costs for families, commuters, and businesses who already play by the rules. That’s simply unfair. I have co-sponsored this legislation to strengthen enforcement and hold repeat offenders accountable. Read more here. Penn State Schuylkill Honors Outstanding Alumni
On Tuesday, I was invited to attend the Penn State Schuylkill Alumni Awards Reception to celebrate this year’s honorees and the continuing growth of this local institution that means so much to our area! My communications director, Seth Hubler, Class of 2023, was presented with the Pride & Spirit Award, presented to alumni whose contributions to the success of the Penn State Schuylkill campus are significant and meaningful. Congratulations to Seth, and all other award winners, including:
Focusing on Our Local Communities: Meet Palo Alto’s Brian Dries
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 Palo Alto Borough Council President, Brian Dries. Dries, a Democrat, was born and raised in Palo Alto and graduated from Pottsville Area High School and Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Indiana. He has been employed by the Pennsylvania Office of the Auditor General for the past 14 years. “My father has about 20 years on council and my brother also served on council, so they were always asking me to run. I finally decided to do it and now I have been on council for eight years,” said Dries. “I’ve always enjoyed being involved in the community. I’m a past president of the Pottsville Boys’ Basketball League, vice president of the Citizens Fire Co., member of the East End Fire Co., am I’m on the supervisory committee of CACL.” Dries and council have been able to accomplish a lot of their goals over the past eight years. “We really wanted to attack blight. So, we started hammering hard on that and we’ve got it under control now, we believe. We worked with the mayor to come up with an inter-municipal agreement with the Port Carbon Police Department and St. Clair Police Department so that we now have 24-7 police coverage for our residents,” said Dries. “Sen. Argall and Rep. Twardzik helped us get a $600,000 grant to build a community center and emergency shelter for our residents and that project is currently underway.” The proposed 9-11 National Memorial Trail which will come right through Palo Alto is near and dear to Dries’ heart. Palo Alto native Mike Ferugio perished in the attack on the World Trade Center on that tragic day. “That trail hits close to home for all of us. We have the memorial for Mike right next to our veterans and war memorial. Mike was my buddy and he was the definition of a ‘Pali boy,’ said Dries. “That trail is going to be very special to this community and it’s going to touch all of the hearts of the residents in Palo Alto.” Next Thursday: 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 570-453-1344. Save the Date: Lansford Alive’s 150th Anniversary Event
As part of its ongoing efforts to breathe new life into the community, Lansford Alive will host “A Celebration Like No Other” on Sunday, June 28, from 2:00 to 9:30 p.m. at Panther Valley Stadium and Kennedy Park. The event will celebrate both Lansford’s 150th Anniversary and America’s 250th Anniversary. The celebration will feature a full lineup of vendors, along with live music from the U.S. Army 28th Infantry Band, M&J Big Band, Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra, and more. Interested in becoming a vendor or have questions? Call Joe at (202) 297-3274. This event highlights the borough’s ongoing revitalization efforts—from its participation in the Blueprint Communities program to the future redevelopment of the former Lehigh & New England railroad station. I look forward to continuing to work with local leaders and community volunteers to continue this important work. Quote of the Week
“The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.” – Abraham Lincoln |
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