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In this Update:
IF Built, How Would Data Centers Affect Our Communities, Pro and Con?
As the development of new data center accelerates across Pennsylvania, Sen. Rosemary Brown and I hosted a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee this week about the potential impacts for communities and the economy. Economic development organizations, utilities, environmental commissions, municipal associations and other stakeholder groups joined us in Archbald for a discussion on the benefits and drawbacks of establishing these centers. We all have many questions, as we saw when more than 300 people joined us at Valley View High School and hundreds more watched online. Why are so many new centers needed? Why locate in Pennsylvania? How could this affect my neighborhood? Some testifiers discussed the increased local tax revenue these centers would bring, boosting support for schools and fire departments. Others addressed two widely cited concerns with operating data centers – the demands on local electrical grids and watersheds. This is just the beginning of this important conversation, since nine possible centers in the 29th district in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties are now under consideration. Senate Passes Budget to Fund Critical Needs
The Senate approved a bill on Tuesday evening to provide immediate funding to counties, school districts, hospitals and others. Once approved, the state could start disbursing $47.6 billion without the need for any new taxes, as negotiations on a 2025-26 state budget continue. This bill would provide stability to our community partners who receive state funding. Our vote marks a commonsense step forward as we work to protect taxpayers from the massive tax increases or cuts to key services that would result from the governor’s proposed budget. Unfortunately, the House Rules Committee voted it down, prolonging the ongoing impasse. Transportation Bill Addressing Funding, Safety, Accountability Approved by Senate
The Senate also approved legislation to increase support for roads AND mass transit – in a way that protects taxpayers and boosts mass transit safety and accountability. This measure ensures the majority of new money comes from the Public Transportation Trust Fund, preventing any possibility of tax increases. Last year, when the governor gave $153 million in federal funding to mass transit, primarily SEPTA, that could have been used for roads and bridges, it left a bad taste in many peoples’ mouths. He has continued to ask for more and more help for SEPTA this year, leaving rural Pennsylvania asking, “what about us?” This bill ensures that roads and mass transportation systems in every county across the state, both urban and rural, receive additional support. Touring Mrs. T’s Pierogies in Shenandoah
Tom Twardzik invited Rep. Dane Watro and me to tour Mrs. T’s Pierogies’ iconic home in Shenandoah this week. Originally founded by Ted Twardzik Sr. in his mother’s kitchen in the early 1950s, Mrs. T’s has now grown into one of our region’s most famous local employers. Mrs. T’s produces 600 million pierogies a year, making them the largest provider of frozen pierogies IN THE WORLD! Nominate Carbon County Leaders for Impact Award
Friends and family of Elissa Garofalo created a new Community Impact Award in her honor, which is accepting nominations until August 31. Elissa was a force to be reckoned with in Carbon County, leading community revitalization efforts in Jim Thorpe as the Main Street Manager and serving as the executive director of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. When I was working on a grad school term paper reviewing the successful efforts to breathe new life into downtown Jim Thorpe, I interviewed Elissa. I never forgot the strategies she shared with me that day – and the results speak for themselves! Firefighter’s Convention Honors 100th Anniversary
The Friendship Fire Co. No.1, Englewood proudly hosted the 71st annual Schuylkill County Firefighter’s Convention Delegates Banquet this week. During the banquet, we honored them for their 100th year of service to the community. Thank you to all the firefighters and other volunteers for your efforts to keep our area safe! Joining me were Reps. Dane Watro, Jamie Barton, and Tim Twardzik and Schuylkill County Commissioners Larry Padora, Boots Hetherington, and Gary Hess. The convention lasts throughout the week, ending with a parade through Frackville on Saturday, August 16 at 1 p.m. See the full schedule of events here. September 12: Hazle Township Senior Expo
Mark your calendars: Rep. Dane Watro and I are hosting our annual senior expo on Friday, September 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Laurel Mall. In previous years, we had hundreds of local seniors join us to learn more about the services available to them from local organizations and government agencies. Ashland Hosts Community Night
Ashland hosted its second annual Community Night at Memorial Field this week. More than 30 agencies and local organizations were there to share information about their services. Brenda Swank from my Mahanoy City office was in attendance with books, safety information for children and more resources. Volunteers Work to Reopen the Pumpy
WVIA published an article about the volunteers who are working to reopen the Pumpy for a new generation of visitors. This well-known recreation area in East Union Township was a local destination for many years for fishermen, families, and anyone who wanted to enjoy the beauty of our area, before falling into disrepair. Rep. Tim Twardzik, Rep. Dane Watro and I secured highly competitive state funding to support the Pumpy Association’s goals for the site. Meeting with Carbon County Faith Leaders
Rep. Doyle Heffley and I hosted more than 20 faith leaders from Carbon County for breakfast at Bert’s Steakhouse in Palmerton. We discussed nursing home staffing shortages, volunteerism, the state budget, rural mass transit, food banks, and other state related issues. Thank you to all who joined us! Visiting Second Mountain Sunflowers in Walker Township
Last weekend, Beth and I spent some time in the fields near her childhood Walker Township farm with our two children AJ and Elise, their spouses, and our granddaughter Amelia. What a sight! Learn more about Second Mountain Sunflowers here – what an amazing entrepreneur!! Help PA Celebrate Your BarnThe Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office invites you to contribute to the effort of documenting and celebrating the barns that define our state’s rural traditions. Barns represent the agricultural heritage, craftsmanship and local pride found throughout the commonwealth. You can go here to find out how to submit your photos and background information and have your barn added to the Pennsylvania Inventory of Historic Places.
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