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In this Update:
83 to 17 Percent—Now That is a LANSLIDE Win!
On Wednesday, Rep. Doyle Heffley and I were invited to a special event at Mauch Chunk Lake in Jim Thorpe, hosted by the Carbon County Open Space Preservation Program and the Carbon County Commissioners. The Carbon County Open Space Grant Program for land and waterway conservation was created in 2022 after an overwhelming 83% referendum vote by county residents. The program provides funding to municipalities and organizations to preserve land to protect wildlife habitat, water resources and forests. The program has helped preserve more than 1,200 acres of land across Carbon County and recently secured over 1,100 acres of forestland in Penn Forest Township, safeguarding the headwaters of the Lehigh River within Pine Run and its tributaries. I have long enjoyed Carbon County’s many outdoor opportunities: Hiking the AT with the scouts, biking the D & L with friends and family, skiing in the mountains and rafting and kayaking on the Lehigh. Later this week, Beth and I will introduce our 11-week-old puppy, Rufus Batman Argall (long story, we’ll save that account for another day) to a local dog beach two miles from his new home. With the Open Space Program already delivering significant results, the county is ensuring that nature remains protected for years to come — for us, our children and grandchildren, and our four-legged friends! Around the District
John and Lynn Morgan recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with loved ones in Frackville. Married in Frackville five decades ago, they have spent their lives in Schuylkill County raising their family and contributing to our community. John currently serves as Mayor of Frackville. Brenda Swank from my office presented them with a Senate citation on my behalf. Here’s to many more years together, John & Lynn!
I was invited to attend the dedication of the newly expanded Nucor Towers & Structures facility in West Hazleton. Nucor is the largest steel producer in the United States and North America’s largest recycler, transforming millions of tons of scrap metal into new steel. The West Hazleton facility employs more than 210 local residents with more than $60 million in investments.
In a moving ceremony, Nucor dedicated one of its production bays to Robert “Bobby” Robinson, a company supervisor who passed away late last year. Thank you to Nucor for your continued investment in our region!
I was invited to attend the Carbon County Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Annual Picnic at Memorial Park in Jim Thorpe. This annual event celebrates local youth that assisted with various projects across the borough, including gardening, painting, cleanups, and more. Thank you for inviting me! My Bill to Remove Employment Barriers for Cosmetologists Signed into Law
My legislation to streamline licensing for the cosmetology workforce has been signed into law by the Governor, a major step in addressing Pennsylvania’s ongoing workforce shortages. With salons and small businesses across Pennsylvania struggling to find enough licensed professionals, this new law will make it far easier for experienced cosmetologists to continue their careers. There is no reason why a cosmetologist in good standing should need to start from scratch just because they crossed a state border. This bipartisan law cuts through bureaucracy and supports employers who are desperate for qualified workers Act 43 of 2026 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, an interstate agreement that makes it easier for licensed cosmetologists — who provide treatments for hair, skin and nails — to obtain a multistate license and work in participating states without unnecessary red tape. The bill also ensures cosmetology professionals in active-duty military families face no burdensome licensure requirements in compact states. With the Governor’s signature, Pennsylvania becomes the 13th state to enter the compact, joining neighboring states Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. Argall Report: Updates on Key Projects in the Hazleton Area
This month’s Argall Report highlights updates on several key projects in the Hazleton area which were discussed during a recent Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Red Carpet Breakfast. With strong job growth in recent years, housing has become a top priority — including the restored Altamont building, 600 new apartments off Club Forty Road, 300 planned units along the Airport Beltway, and several other redevelopment projects. We also discussed the growing need for more childcare as the workforce expands. The new Mericle Family Center YMCA now provides childcare for 150 children, plus 100 more through a pre-K partnership with the Hazleton Area School District, along with major upgrades to gym, pool, and future outdoor fields. We highlighted the successful effort to save Penn State Hazleton — with over 5,400 survey responses and 96% support for the Hazleton and Schuylkill campuses — and ongoing plans for more dual enrollment and employer partnerships. License Plate Replacement Events in Palmerton & Hometown
Is your license plate worn out? You can get it replaced for free at one of two events I am hosting next week. Rep. Doyle Heffley and I are hosting an event on Monday, July 27 from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Palmerton Borough Garage (402 3rd Street, Palmerton). Rep. Jamie Barton and I are hosting an event on Wednesday, July 29 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hometown Fire Company (45 Mahanoy Avenue, Tamaqua). A local police officer will be on hand to inspect your plate to determine if it qualifies for free replacement. For more information or to RSVP for either event, call 570-773-0891 Protecting Pets from Excessive Heat
Hot weather reminder: With Summer still in full swing, police and emergency responders in Pennsylvania are authorized to remove dogs and cats from unattended vehicles by force if they’re deemed to be in imminent danger. Also, under Act 104 of 2018, dogs that are tethered outside and unattended can only be so for up to nine hours in temperatures up to 90 degrees, and only for 30 minutes above 90 degrees. The dog must have access to an area of shade to escape the direct rays of the sun, as well as clean water. Watch for signs of heat stroke in animals, including heavy panting, excessive drooling, vomiting and red or purple gums. You can read more about PA’s “Hot Car Bill” here. Pictured above is our new puppy, Rufus Batman Argall (long story, another day) whom we welcomed into our family this week. Focusing on Our Local Communities: Meet Mahanoy City’s Tom McCabe
Welcome to the 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 southern Luzerne counties. This week, we focus on Mahanoy City Council Vice Chairman Tom McCabe. A lifelong resident of Mahanoy City, McCabe, a Democrat, graduated from Mahanoy Area High School in 1978. He went on to attend Penn State Schuylkill before beginning a 37‑year career with UPS, where he worked until his retirement. McCabe has served the borough council since 2018. “My wife was the one that actually got me interested in running for council. She thought that I should run and here I am eight years later,” said McCabe. “It’s a challenge but I enjoy that about it. I got in right in the middle of Act 47, so I was glad to be a part of helping to straighten out the town with that. Mahanoy is a good town. And we’re doing our best to turn it around.” McCabe previously served as the longtime president of the Mahanoy Wrestling Booster Club and currently serves as president to both the Mahanoy Social Club and Shenandoah East End Field and Stream. He is also involved with the Mahanoy Community Events Committee and is an active member of St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church. Among his accomplishments on council, McCabe is most proud of improving Mahanoy City’s financial stability. “Exiting Act 47 status was a big deal and we’re proud of that. The state was a big help with that, and we want to thank them for all their help and guidance,” said McCabe. “Financially, we’re in pretty good shape. As any borough could, we could always use more money for projects and for roads but we’re in much better shape than we have been. We just want to do whatever we can to help the town.” Quote of the Week
“Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty. I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.” ― Theodore Roosevelt |
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