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In this Update:
Join Us to Discuss the Future of Penn State Hazleton
Our efforts to save Penn State Hazleton and Penn State Schuylkill succeeded earlier this year – now, we’re looking to the future. Next Tuesday, Senator Lynda Culver, Rep. Dane Watro, Rep. Jamie Walsh, and I will host a public roundtable to review opportunities to expand the number of students and courses at Penn State Hazleton. We believe this campus can thrive for decades to come, serving more and more students and further contributing to the economic growth of our region. Please join us at Penn State Hazleton’s Kostos Building, Room #001 from 10 a.m. to noon. We want to hear your thoughts. We’ll be hosting a similar event about Penn State Schuylkill later this year – stay tuned! Remembering 9/11 in Jim Thorpe
On Thursday morning, Carbon County leaders hosted a somber ceremony in honor of all those who lost their lives during the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Many of us knew people who lost their lives or endured the terror of that day. For me, it was a member of my college’s soccer team. As we observe Patriot Day, we must remember the nearly 3,000 lives that were lost and honor the brave men and women who sacrificed themselves trying to save others. And we must continue to honor those who protect our communities and defend our freedom and liberties every day. In remembrance of this tragic day, the 9/11 National Memorial Trail Alliance is working to complete a trail connecting the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA. A section of the trail – known as the Anthracite Connector – will run through our area, connecting Jim Thorpe, Summit Hill, Nesquehoning, Lansford, Coaldale, Tamaqua, Tuscarora, Brockton, Middleport, New Philadelphia, Cumbola, Port Carbon, Palo Alto, and Pottsville. I look forward to working with them to make this a reality. Joining me were Rep. Doyle Heffley and Carbon County Commissioners Michael Sofranko, Wayne Nothstein, and Rocky Ahner. Assisting Our Overworked Corrections Officers
There are few jobs as stressful and essential as a corrections officer in our state prisons – working day and night, weekends, and holidays to ensure the safety of inmates and their fellow prison staff. Staffing shortages are causing many problems for this vital workforce including mandatory overtime, increased stress, and more violent incidents. This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed my Senate Bill 111, which would eliminate the requirement that state corrections officers live in Pennsylvania, allowing more people to apply for these jobs and providing real relief to those affected by shortages. I recently met with PSCOA President Michael Ohler and Eastern Region Vice President Robert Derr to discuss this bill and other legislation that could help our corrections officers perform their duties effectively. Electronics Recycling Event Draws Hundreds
Thank you to the hundreds of people who attended the electronics recycling event sponsored by Rep. Tim Twardzik and me at the Fairlane Village Mall. This was our first time hosting this type of event and we were amazed by the vast number of items we received – 8 large truckloads! Glen Seeberger, the manager of Junkluggers, said it was the “biggest event I’ve ever seen.” Due to the obvious demand, we will plan another, similar event in the future. One of my first bills to become law – Act 190, known as the Waste Tire Recycling Act/Small Business and Household Pollution Prevention Program Act – created clean-up and recycling efforts across Pennsylvania. We all learned a lot more about the need for recycling thanks to this event! Addressing Long-Term Care Workforce Shortages
Too many of our families, including mine, have faced the difficult decision of moving a parent or grandparent into a long-term care center. Unfortunately, the professionals who make sure they are cared for are facing increasing challenges because of workforce shortages. This week, the Senate passed my Senate Bill 114 to ensure our long-term care centers have the support they need to do their vital work and keep our older family members safe and comfortable. This legislation would encourage more employees to join the long-term care workforce by expanding both the availability of long-term care training courses for nurse aides and the eligibility for individuals to take the nurse aide competency exam. I look forward to working with our bipartisan partners in the House of Representatives to get this bill to the governor’s desk as soon as possible. Celebrating Nativity Baseball District Champions
Congratulations to the Nativity BVM High School baseball team, who won this year’s PIAA District XI Class A championship! The Hilltoppers, under the guidance of head coach Ben Kreiger, ultimately advanced to the state semifinals after securing their second-ever state playoff win. Reps. JoAnne Stehr, Tim Twardzik, Dane Watro, and I visited the team and presented them with official Senate and House citations this week. Reclaiming Abandoned Mine Land in Branch Township
Rep. Tim Twardzik and I announced this week that an effort to reclaim long-abandoned mine lands in Branch Township was awarded a highly competitive state grant of $550,361. The project will improve water quality in West Creek and improve the health of the Schuylkill River Watershed. While active mining companies are required by law to reclaim their existing mine sites, many other mining properties were abandoned many decades ago, which is why programs like this are so important across the district I represent in Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties. Similar projects have been very successful here. Thanks to this award, there will now be fewer black wastelands and polluted rivers and streams in our area. We’ve made significant progress since I grew up near abandoned coal pits in Tamaqua’s east end, but much work remains ahead. Lithuanian Heritage Museum Open Now!
On Sunday, the newest museum showcasing the vibrant local ethnic cultures of the coal region celebrated its grand opening: the Lithuanian Heritage Museum in Shenandoah. I was very impressed with their large collection of artifacts stretching back to the 19th century. When coal was king, immigrants from countries throughout Europe settled in our area because of the available mining jobs. Many of the descendants of those immigrants still live here and celebrate their cultures. More than 6,000 of the people I represent have deep Lithuanian roots – the 29th Senate district has the highest population of people with Lithuanian ancestry in Pennsylvania. This museum will display their history for all to learn from. Joining me were Rep. Tim Twardzik and Commissioners Larry Padora and Gary Hess. Holy Ascension Orthodox Church of Frackville Celebrates 110th Anniversary
On Saturday, Holy Ascension Orthodox Church of Frackville celebrated their 110th anniversary. It takes a very special group of people to keep any organization going for this long. Congratulations to Rev. Kirill Zawatski, John Malinchok, and everyone else who led this congregation since the church was first built in 1915. Rep. Dane Watro, Rep. Tim Twardzik, and I presented them with official Senate and House citations to commemorate the occasion. Protecting Animals from Painful Experiments
The Senate unanimously approved legislation aimed at protecting dogs and cats from painful, taxpayer-funded experiments. Senate Bill 381, also known as the Beagle Bill, would:
Senate Bill 381 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. Importance of Community Pharmacies Highlighted at Briefing
Community pharmacies and the important role they play for Pennsylvania residents was the focus of an informational briefing with pharmacists, the state Department of Human Services, the Insurance Department and others. Roughly 600 pharmacies have closed across the commonwealth within the last two years, reducing access to professionals serving on the frontlines of health care. The Senate Community Pharmacy Caucus discussed the impacts of Act 77 of 2024, the Pharmacy Benefits Manager (PBM) reform measure. The law banned harmful practices, strengthened network adequacy requirements, increased PBM transparency and accountability and implemented additional oversight. Further action needed to protect community pharmacies was among the topics explored at the briefing, which can be viewed here.
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