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In this Update:
Local Higher Education Victories: Saving Our Penn State Campuses, Establishing PA’s First Rural Dental School
We’ve seen a lot of positive higher education news in our region this summer. First, many of us worked together to save Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State Hazleton. Last week, Temple University announced that it will open Pennsylvania’s first-ever rural dental school in Tamaqua. Rep. Jamie Barton and I have carefully listened to how severe dental care shortages in rural Pennsylvania are causing life-threatening health issues. A lack of regular dental care increases rates of opioid abuse, contributes directly to heart disease, results in people missing work, and can cause a whole host of other nasty issues. This is why the Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple University’s commitment to open a dental school and clinic in Tamaqua is so important to our entire region. The Senate passed legislation this week to reduce barriers to hiring dental school faculty with my strong support. Senate Bill 842 supports Temple’s school in Tamaqua by removing an unnecessary restriction on faculty practicing at a satellite campus. The House also passed legislation to expand dental benefits for Medicaid patients – another issue that seriously contributes to dental care shortages. Real Progress Fighting Organized Retail Theft – Thanks to My Law
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has charged 40 people and recovered more than $2 million in stolen goods since my legislation created the Organized Retail Crime Unit last year. During a press conference, Attorney General Dave Sunday described how this new unit has effectively targeted criminal organizations and made our communities safer. Their biggest bust identified an organization with more than 50 members that stole more than $850,000 in goods. The leaders were charged and sentenced with new, stronger penalties created by my legislation, effectively crippling the organization. Attorney General Sunday testified that these new penalties are deterring criminals from committing these crimes. These changes have made a serious impact, demonstrating why my bill received strong bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House. In Philadelphia, retail theft is down by 13% and arrest rates are up by 40% in the past year. Thank you to Attorney General Sunday and the 15 professionals who make up this unit for your tireless work to protect our communities. Congratulations, Pine Grove Lady Cardinals Softball!
Congratulations to the Pine Grove Area Lady Cardinals Softball Team – this year’s PIAA 3A state champions! The Lady Cardinals defeated Bald Eagle Area to capture the championship in dramatic fashion with a walk-off sacrifice fly in the 13th inning. Western Schuylkill County is very proud! Rep. JoAnne Stehr and I welcomed the team to our State Capitol to honor them for their excellent season. Sunday, June 29: D&L Trailfest in Lehighton
Don’t miss the Carbon County D&L TrailFest on Sunday, June 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lehighton Outdoor Center! Also hosted by the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, this event will feature live music, local vendors, food trucks and beverages, group walks, and more. We’ve seen in communities like White Haven and Jim Thorpe how access to outdoor recreation can breathe new life into an area by attracting more visitors. I’m now working with local partners to connect this trail to Weatherly, Hazleton, the Panther Valley, Pottsville, and beyond to spread these positive impacts to new towns. Revitalizing the Pumpy in East Union Township
The Pumpy Association hosted a meet and greet at their site near Locust Mountain last weekend. They have worked hard with Shenandoah Borough to breathe new life into this well-known recreation area in East Union Township, which was a local destination for many years for fishermen, families, and anyone who wanted to enjoy the beauty of our area. Rep. Tim Twardzik, Rep. Dane Watro and I secured highly competitive state funding to support their goals for the site. Connor Rada: Schuylkill County’s Newest Eagle Scout
Connor Rada of Troop 650, Pine Grove was honored for earning the rank of Eagle Scout last weekend. Connor plans to attend college and serve in the Air Force once he graduates high school. For his service project, he designed and constructed a memorial in Veterans Memorial Canal Park, where the public can sit and reflect on the service and sacrifices of our armed forces. Rep. JoAnne Stehr, Commissioner Gary Hess, and I congratulated Connor and all those who guided him down the long trail to Eagle at his court of honor. Updating Governor, Lt. Governor Disability Procedures
My bill to update the disability procedures for our governor and lieutenant governor was approved with unanimous, bipartisan support by the Senate State Government Committee this week. I led a review of these procedures after former Lt. Gov. John Fetterman suffered a stroke in 2022. I hope these procedures will never be necessary; however, we must be prepared if tragedy strikes. This 50-year-old, outdated law is our guide through the worst emergencies our state government could face and should be modernized. Explore State, Federal Government Internship Opportunities
This summer, my office has two interns in Mahanoy City and Harrisburg – Jonathan Ulicny and Mike Lippert. They’ve assisted with legislative research and constituent inquiries, traveled to events throughout Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties, and much more. If you or anyone you know may be interested in this opportunity, please reach out to any of my offices. Carbon County students looking for an internship for the fall should consider applying to Congressman Ryan Mackenzie’s office by July 15th. This opportunity is open to students who are 18 years of age or older and currently enrolled in an institution of higher education. Interested applicants must submit a resume and cover letter. Learn more or apply here. Lifesaving Bill to Eliminate Cost Barriers to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Approved by Senate
Patients who receive abnormal results from supplemental breast cancer screenings will be able to access the necessary follow-up diagnostic imaging at no cost under bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate. This ensures critical continuum of care. Senate Bill 88 builds on the success of Act 1 of 2023, which provided no-cost preventive screenings for individuals at high risk. Senate Bill 88 takes the next step with no-cost follow-up diagnostic imaging and expands eligibility to include individuals at average risk. While 26 other states have followed Pennsylvania’s lead in offering no-cost supplemental breast screening since the passage of Act 1, Pennsylvania remains the only state without guaranteed coverage for diagnostic imaging. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives. Senate Targets PA Opioid Crisis with Expanded Reporting Tool
The Senate voted to incorporate overdose reporting by EMS providers into the statewide Overdose Information Network to make sure first responders, treatment providers and other key parties have the information they need to save lives. Senate Bill 89 would require the Pennsylvania Department of Health to coordinate with the Pennsylvania State Police to ensure real-time overdose reporting by EMS providers is incorporated into the statewide mapping system. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives. EMS providers would report information including the date and time of the overdose, location, substances used by the victim and more. In other action to prevent opioid deaths, Senate Republicans led passage of a measure giving EMS personnel permanent authority to leave behind a dose of lifesaving naloxone at non-fatal overdose scenes. School Bus Safety Grant Program Applications Accepted
School districts, school bus companies and municipalities have until July 3 to apply for state grants to improve school bus safety and pay for training and other costs associated with attracting much-needed school bus drivers. Legislation passed by the General Assembly allows school districts to install automated camera systems to enforce the state School Bus Stopping Law and increase safety for school children. A portion of the fines paid by violators are used for the School Bus Safety Grant Program. Details and the online application are available here. Celebrating Great Outdoors Month
The arrival of summer means plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy what nature has to offer locally and across our commonwealth. Pennsylvania is home to cool, green forests, thousands of pristine lakes and streams, hiking trails and state parks. Find plenty of ways to explore the great outdoors of our region and the state here.
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