|
|||||
|
In this Update:
Combating PA’s Energy Prices
Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) recently reviewed why PA’s energy prices remain high and outlines solutions to lower costs— including utilizing Pennsylvania’s abundant natural resources, eliminating Governor Shapiro’s energy price cap, and holding neighboring states accountable. Check out the energy website here. Funding Awarded to Upgrade Asa Packer Mansion & Museum in Jim Thorpe
Rep. Doyle Heffley and I were pleased to learn that Jim Thorpe Borough was awarded $127,834 through the Local Share Account (LSA) Monroe program to upgrade the HVAC system in the Asa Packer Mansion & Museum so that thousands and thousands of people can continue to visit this historic site. The Victorian mansion, built in 1861, was the home of the railroad magnate and founder of Lehigh University, Asa Packer. The mansion is recognized as a national historic landmark and features impressive architecture, woodwork, and well-kept original furniture, all of which means we must do whatever we can to preserve this VERY special local treasure! Greater Hazleton YMCA Upgrades Now Complete
Rep. Dane Watro and I were recently invited to see the many new upgrades at the Mericle Family Center YMCA in Hazleton, which reopened last year after a six-year closure.
The facility features a gymnasium, exercise center, childcare center, an aquatics center, and more! This is the FIRST time in seven years that there is water in the pool now that the renovations are complete. In addition to the generosity of the Mericle Family and other donors, Rep. Watro and I were pleased to secure several highly competitive state grants to help complete these renovations. Around the District
Rep. Dane Watro, Schuylkill County Commissioner Boots Hetherington, and I recently stopped by the Ringtown Library’s 50th Anniversary Picnic to congratulate library staff and volunteers on this accomplishment! As the son of a school librarian, I understand the value of our local libraries. Congratulations to all and thank you for all you do!
Brad Hurley from my Hazleton office recently attended the Carbon County Community Foundation’s Annual Spring Grant and Scholarship Program. This year, the foundation awarded more than $80,000 in grants and scholarships to local nonprofit organizations, schools, educators, and students from across Carbon County.
Thank you to everyone who joined Rep. Tim Twardzik, Rep. Jamie Barton, and our staff for our very well-attended electronics recycling event at the Schuylkill Haven High School this past Saturday. Our teams recycled hundreds of televisions, computer monitors, cell phones and more to help keep waste out of landfills.
As always, Beth and I enjoyed Tamaqua’s Summerfest last Sunday, joining thousands of people on Broad Street. This year’s event featured three Reading Blue Mountain and Northern train rides throughout the day. Congratulations to the Tamaqua Odd Fellows on a great event!
Christine Verdier, my Chief of Staff, was on hand as the Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners presented a proclamation to the developers of the September 11th National Memorial Trial. The Anthracite Connector section of this new, multi-use trail will connect communities spanning from Pottsville to Jim Thorpe. Around the Capitol
This week at the Capitol, I met with several constituents and groups in my Capitol Office. I met with a group which provides students with hands-on experience and a firsthand look at the legislative process. Those interested in participating in the fall can apply by clicking here.
I sat down with Dr. Robert Childs and Ivelise Childs from Hazleton to discuss the current state of early childhood education and what the legislature can do to continue moving PA in the right direction.
I was joined by Kim Bastian from the PA Childcare Association, along with several childcare providers from Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties, to discuss the importance of investing in Pennsylvania’s childcare workforce and ensuring families have access to safe, reliable, and affordable care.
I also met with Professor Andrea Martin, nominee to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. Professor Martin is an Assistant Professor of Law at Penn State Dickinson Law, where her courses focus on constitutional law and anti-discrimination law. Take My Legislative Survey
I recently asked residents to complete a legislative survey on issues affecting PA. With over 600 responses, here are the results, so far:
If you haven’t taken the survey yet and would like to, click here. Argall Report: Shenandoah’s New Center for Education, Business, and the Arts
This month’s Argall Report highlights a community effort to build an innovation center and community hub at the former site of a row of blighted buildings in downtown Shenandoah. Local leaders recently gathered to celebrate the opening of Downtown Shenandoah, Inc.’s Center for Education, Business, and the Arts. DSI realized this property was an eyesore in the middle of the business district, and they wanted to do something about it. Key volunteers, including Karen Kenderdine, Mary Luscavage, and their entire team were relentless in their efforts to raise funds to make it a reality. The Center for Education, Business and the Arts will provide training for budding entrepreneurs and artists, a business incubator, community event space, a healthcare center, and Penn State classrooms. I offered my congratulations in many of the different languages spoken here during the last 100 years, pardon my pronunciation mistakes! Watch the Argall Report here. Making it Easier for Fire Companies, EMS Agencies to Access Funding
Legislation to make it easier for fire and EMS agencies to access state funding through the Fire and EMS Grant program was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 1261 streamlines the application process, including eliminating outdated wording and incentives, using the state’s Single Application for Assistance instead of having a separate, redundant system, and asking fire companies to provide additional contact information to ensure lines of communication are open. The bill also increases the amount fire and EMS agencies can borrow through the State Fire Commissioner’s low-interest loan program, freeing up more funding opportunities for first responder agencies. Senate Bill 1261 now advances to the House of Representatives. Read more about these proposed improvements here. Focusing on Our Local Communities: Meet Palmerton’s Terry Costenbader
Welcome to our latest 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 Palmerton Borough Councilman, Terry Costenbader. A lifelong Palmerton resident and Republican, Costenbader graduated from Palmerton High School in 1960 before joining the family business, Costenbader Hardware. He was later drafted into the United States Army and completed a tour in Vietnam. Following his military service, he returned home, eventually becoming the third-generation owner of the family hardware store before selling the business in 2000. Costenbader was appointed to the borough council in 1991, and his years of service now exceed three decades. “Palmerton has always been really good to my family. When I bought the business, I was a third-generation owner, and the community was always there for us,” Costenbader said. “I wanted to give back because of that support, and I wanted to get involved. We have a great town. The people here care about the community, and you can see that through all the events and the success of our small businesses. I’ve really enjoyed my service.” Throughout his more than thirty years on council, Costenbader has contributed to numerous major borough initiatives. “I’ve been involved in some good stuff. The purchase of the Palmerton Water Company, a new sewer plant and the merger of the two fire companies to make one Palmerton Municipal Fire Company are some of the good things that we have been able to accomplish.” This Saturday: Schuylkill County’s America 250 Parade
America250PA and the Pottsville Area Development Corporation (PADCO) will celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with Schuylkill County’s Parade and festivities on Saturday, June 27. The parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. in Downtown Pottsville, featuring local municipalities, organizations, first responders, performers, businesses, and more. After the parade, you can head to Alvernia University’s Pottsville CollegeTowne for the America250 PA Birthday Party from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. The celebration will feature local food trucks, vendors, live music and entertainment, contests, and family-friendly fun for all ages. Quote of the Week
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill |
|||||
|
|||||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2026 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://www.senatorargall.com | Privacy Policy |
