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In this Update:
Strengthening Our Local Penn State Campuses
As part of our ongoing commitment to Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State Hazleton, Rep. Joanne Stehr, Rep. Dane Watro, Jean Wilcox from Rep. Tim Twardzik’s office, and I recently met with Penn State Schuylkill’s new Chancellor, Dr. Robert Bohrer II. We were joined by Jonathan Kukta from Penn State; Bob Carl, Chair of the Penn State Schuylkill Advisory Board; Richard Wiest, Esq., a member of the Advisory Board; and Seth Hubler of my staff. Our discussion focused on several projects underway on campus, plans for future programming, and some VERY encouraging enrollment numbers for the upcoming fall semester. Last year, our local legislative delegation worked VERY aggressively—and successfully—to preserve Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State Hazleton with the support of more than 5,000 constituents. I’m meeting with the new Chancellor of Penn State Hazleton soon for similar conversations. Stay tuned! Around the District
Thank you to the 70+ people who filled the room with Rep. Dane Watro and me at another town hall meeting in Hazleton. We answered many questions, including street and road conditions, data centers; unfair property taxes, voter ID, CDL licensing, the PA Supreme Court’s decision which could lead to dangerous convicts in murder cases being released from prison, and much more.
I was recently invited to attend the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Walmart Distribution Center in the Highridge Business Park in Butler Township. Since 2006, this Walmart facility has created over 1,000 jobs for local residents and has served as a great community partner. Congratulations to all, and here’s to another 20 years!
I was invited to attend a moving dedication ceremony for the new West Hazleton Korean War Veterans Memorial as part of the borough’s America 250 Celebration. The memorial was designed by local artist Sal DeFazio. I was joined by Congressman Rob Bresnahan Jr., Rep. Dane Watro, West Hazleton Mayor John Chura, and members of Borough Council. To all who have served — thank you for your courage, your sacrifice, and your unwavering commitment to defending our freedoms
Thank you to the 40+ people who joined Rep. Doyle Heffley and me at the latest in a series of town hall meetings in Aquashicola Monday morning. We answered many questions, including data centers, unfair property taxes, regulating skill games, voter ID, rural dental care, the new Temple Dental Education Center and Clinic coming to our region this fall, and much more.
Rep. Doyle Heffley and I were recently invited to review the updates and ongoing renovations at the historic Palmerton Area Library. Rep. Heffley and I assisted the library in securing $1.5 million in state grants in recent years to address water damage repairs, improve the exterior masonry façade, and make major interior improvements to its century old building. As the son of a librarian, I am pleased to see these investments breathe new life into an historic building and provide valuable opportunities for residents for years to come.
Thank you to the more than 30 people who joined Rep. Doyle Heffley, me, and our staff members in Palmerton to replace damaged license plates yesterday. Special thanks to Officer Trevor Flexer of the Palmerton Police Department who assisted with the event and carried out the plate inspections.
Congressman Rob Bresnahan was the keynote speaker at this week’s Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Breakfast. Thank you to the Chamber for inviting me to join Congressman Bresnahan as he discussed several important issues, including workforce development and training opportunities at Penn State Hazleton, data center development—including his legislation to keep decisions about new data centers in local hands—and his work with Rep. Dane Watro and me to strengthen southern Luzerne County and improve the quality of life for residents. Whenever you need our help, contact the three of us at our joint office on Broad Street in Hazleton—another first for our area!
Congressman Rob Bresnahan, Rep. Dane Watro, Mayor Jeff Cusat, Hazleton Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Uplinger, and I were recently invited to attend the Grand Opening at the Mericle Family Center YMCA in Hazleton, which is now fully reopened 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 many years that there is water in the pool now that the renovations are complete. In addition to the generosity of SO many generous donors from across our region, large and small, Rep. Watro and I were pleased to secure several highly competitive state grants to help complete these important renovations—and now, after years of blight, it’s SO important to the people of this area to see the lights on, once again, with SO much good happening on this property!
Rep. Dane Watro, Mayor Jeff Cusat, and I recently stopped by a place very near and dear to the mayor’s heart — Cusat’s Café — to congratulate the Cusat family on celebrating 90 years in business in Hazleton! Since opening its doors in 1936, Cusat’s Café has become a local institution. Today, the café is proudly operated by third-generation owners Rocco and Kristin Cusat, continuing a family tradition of serving the community. We were also joined by Mayor Cusat’s wife, Trinity, and daughter Khaleesi Jane. Congratulations on this incredible milestone and thank you for your decades of commitment to the Hazleton community. Here’s to many more years of success! PA Senate Stands with Attorney General, District Attorneys, State Troopers and Police
Second-degree murder is a horrific crime – these are homicides committed while the defendant was also committing another violent felony such as rape, arson, robbery, burglary or kidnapping. Those who commit such an act deserve a punishment that matches. In March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that our current sentencing structure for second-degree murder (life without parole in every case) is unconstitutional. The justices gave the General Assembly 120 days to enact legislation correcting the situation. The Senate successfully passed strong bipartisan legislation to address this issue – twice. The Senate’s legislation is supported by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, Pennsylvania District Attorneys, the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association and the Pennsylvania State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police. Unfortunately, the leadership in the House of Representatives refused to allow a vote on this bipartisan legislation, instead passing a weak bill on a near party-line vote. That bill has several serious problems, including the fact that it could allow more than half of all inmates, including those on death row, to qualify for release from prison under an overbroad, ill-defined “medical release” program that is riddled with loopholes. It makes no sense. I will continue fighting for a strong, common-sense response to the Supreme Court’s decision because the safety of our communities is at stake. Answering Emails with Rufus
Rufus, our new puppy, decided to supervise a recent email catch-up session at the house and made sure I stayed on task (with frequent requests for a belly rub). He may not be much help with the typing, but he’s certainly a great work companion! Upcoming Events
Rep. Jamie Barton and I will host a Night Out with the Pennsylvania Game Commission on Tuesday, August 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.at the New Ringgold Community Fire Company (25 N. Railroad Street, New Ringgold). The Game Commission will be on hand to discuss the Certified Hunter Program, which is designed to help landowners, particularly farmers, who are dealing with significant crop damage from wildlife. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A Session. Questions—call (570) 668-1240.
Did you know one in 10 Pennsylvanians have unclaimed property waiting to be claimed? Unclaimed property can include things such as forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payments, utility deposits, or the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes that have been turned over to the state for safekeeping. To return this property to its rightful owners, Rep. Jamie Barton and I will partner with the Pennsylvania Treasury to host an unclaimed property event on Wednesday, August 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Orwigsburg Free Public Library. Questions—call (570) 773-0891
Is your license plate worn out? Rep. Dane Watro and I are hosting a Free License Plate Replacement Event on Thursday, August 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Hazleton State Police Barracks (250 Dessen Drive, Hazleton). A local police officer will be on-site to inspect your license plate and determine if it qualifies for a free replacement. For more information or to RSVP, call 570-453-1344. Focusing on Our Local Communities: Remembering Summit Hill’s David Wargo
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 Luzerne counties. This week, we honor the memory of Summit Hill Borough Council President David Wargo, who passed away in June. Wargo was elected to Borough Council four times and, in 2014, was chosen unanimously by a 6–0 vote to serve as council president. He holds the unique distinction of winning as both a Republican and a Democrat. A longtime resident of Summit Hill, Wargo was committed to preserving the community’s rich anthracite mining heritage. He was a founding member of the Summit Hill Historical Society, where he served as president, vice president, and secretary, as well as a founding member of the Summit Hill Heritage Center, serving as vice president for ten years. He was also a devoted member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Summit Hill. Before his passing, Wargo was actively involved in the planning and design of a proposed mining museum intended to draw visitors to Summit Hill. The museum concept envisioned an immersive virtual experience, highlighting daily mining life in the Panther Valley and showcasing the region’s coal mining history. He worked diligently to secure a state grant to support the design phase of the project. His ultimate goal was to ensure that the compelling story of the area’s mining heritage would be preserved and shared. David Wargo dedicated much of his life to public service and to making his community a better place. He will be greatly missed. Quote of the Week
“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill |
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