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In this Update:
How Can We Grow Penn State Hazleton AND Schuylkill?
More dual enrollment classes for high school students, additional course offerings, and partnerships with local employers were all promoted at a legislative roundtable on the future of Penn State Hazleton this week. Just a few months ago, many of us united to save Penn State Hazleton and Penn State Schuylkill. But our work is not done – far from it. Sen. Lynda Culver, Rep. Dane Watro, Rep. Jamie Walsh, and I organized the discussion this week to focus on the growth of Hazleton’s campus. Joe Clifford, chair of the Penn State Hazleton Council, kicked off the roundtable with a sincere thank you to our entire legislative delegation, the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, and many other organizations and individuals for our successful efforts to save these two important local campuses for the students of today AND tomorrow. We heard a lot about the need to expand outreach opportunities to ensure the rapidly growing population of students at the Hazleton Area School District is aware of the affordable opportunities for higher education close to home. Many participants also focused on the need to expand degree offerings, especially in growing fields in northeast Pennsylvania. Alex Neyhart, a student at Penn State Hazleton, shared that his classmates breathed a collective sigh of relief when the campus was saved and thanked the community for our efforts. He also welcomed new students from Penn State Wilkes-Barre, which is now slated to close along with six other campuses, to the Hazleton community. On Tuesday, we began to build a roadmap for how Penn State Hazleton can thrive and benefit students and employers for decades to come. A similar roundtable is planned for Schuylkill Campus on Monday, November 3.
Before the roundtable, the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce hosted their monthly Red Carpet Breakfast on campus. Sen. Culver was the keynote speaker, focusing her remarks on the collective community efforts to save Penn State Hazleton. September 23: Tourism Summit in Jim Thorpe
On Tuesday, September 23 from 6-8 p.m., Rep. Doyle Heffley and I are hosting our next Tourism Summit at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe. We’re looking forward to discussing many of the latest initiatives to attract visitors to Carbon County and beyond. More than 70 people attended our last tourism summit, providing valuable suggestions on how we could strengthen the regional economy and breathe new life into local neighborhoods. Our key question this year: how can we encourage visitors to Jim Thorpe to explore other local communities and attractions? PARKING FOR THE EVENT WILL BE IN THE CARBON COUNTY LOT. A shuttle from the Opera House will be available to take people from the county lot to the venue. ATV Tourism Breathes New Life into Minersville
Minersville Mayor Sean Palmer invited state and federal officials to a demonstration of how the borough’s ATV tourism initiative is breathing new life into local businesses. A special thank you to the Famous Reading Outdoors employees and first responders who drove us on the trails in Minersville and Cass Township. It was certainly not my typical afternoon meeting! According to Famous Reading Outdoors, more than 15,000 ATV, UTV, and dirt bike riders use their trails. Minersville allows them to ride on certain streets if they purchase a permit. Every dollar goes to upgrade local parks and playgrounds. PennDOT Sec. Michael Carroll and Jacob Newton from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources discussed how the state could bring this successful model to other communities. Joining me were Reps. Tim Twardzik, Jamie Barton, and JoAnne Stehr, as well as representatives from the offices of Congressman Dan Meuser, Senator Dave McCormick, and Senator John Fetterman. Demolishing Blighted Buildings in Shenandoah
Efforts to fight blight in downtown Shenandoah took a BIG step forward this week – demolition began on blighted, decaying, rat-infested buildings on the 100 block of North Bower Street. Plans are now under development to transform the site into new housing with the help of Reps. Dane Watro and Tim Twardzik, and Schuylkill County Commissioners Larry Padora, Boots Hetherington, and Gary Hess. We visited the demolition site to see the long-needed progress on Thursday.
A significant portion of a $1 million state grant Reps. Watro and Twardzik and I secured for demolition funded this important effort. This is easily the largest revitalization effort here in decades. Between this effort and the rapidly approaching opening of the Center for Business, Education, and the Arts, which is the result of funding from our state government and the private sector, better days are ahead for the Shenandoah community. How Can We Get Money Out of Politics?
Reforming our campaign finance system is key to restoring faith in our electoral process. On Monday, I was invited to speak in Washington D.C. at a session of the U.S. House Republican Study Committee about campaign finance reform. The best quote to summarize the current situation came from state Sen. Ed Cooper of Wyoming: “the guy with the most money has the most rights.” In recent years, we’ve witnessed out of state actors dumping millions into state and local races, drowning out the voices of people who live, work, and raise their families in our communities. I cosponsored a resolution earlier this year that calls on Congress to enact a constitutional amendment returning oversight of campaign finance laws to the states. I believe this is a thoughtful approach to a very complicated issue. This bipartisan amendment has received support from 23 states across our nation so far – we’re hoping Pennsylvania will be the 24th. Pictured here is Dave Black, a former deputy secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, as we worked the halls of the Rayburn House Office Building in support of this effort. Connecting Seniors with Local Resources in Hazleton, Landingville
Thank you to the hundreds of local people who attended our two senior expos this week. Between Rep. Dane Watro’s expo at the Laural Mall and Rep. Jamie Barton’s expo at the Landingville Community Fire Company, more than 100 vendors shared information about the services they offer. If you missed these, I will be attending similar events in the coming weeks. Stay tuned! Argall Report: Scouting Breakfast Honors Mike Rhoades and Mike Hammer
The September edition of my local TV program reviews the annual Service to Youth and Community Breakfast hosted by the Hawk Mountain Council. The event honored volunteers who go above and beyond in their work to build a stronger community. Mahanoy City native Mike Rhoades, the head coach of the Penn State Men’s Basketball team, was the keynote speaker. One of the very best things my parents ever did for me was sign me up for the cubs at the age of eight. I have literally travelled the world as a scout and as a volunteer leader. From camping in my own backyard with my son to exploring New Mexico, Canada and Bavaria, scouting has given me and so many others the opportunity to expand our horizons. I look forward to this celebration of local scouts every year. Upcoming Concealed Carry Seminar, License Plate Replacement EventsMy office regularly hosts outreach events to connect residents of Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties with state services and information. See the full list of my upcoming events here.
Is your license plate damaged or worn out? You can get it replaced for free at an event Rep. Joanne Stehr and I are hosting on Friday, October 3. For more information or to RSVP, call 570-773-0891.
Rep. Tim Twardzik and I are also hosting a license plate replacement event on Friday, October 10. For more information or to RSVP, call 570-794-4039.
Rep. Joanne Stehr and I will host a concealed carry seminar on Thursday, October 9 at the Hegins Township Municipal Building to educate gun owners about state laws regarding firearms. Those interested in attending should RSVP by calling 570-773-0891. This Weekend: Tamaqua Car Show, Hegins Valley Arts and Crafts Faire
The 36th annual Hegins Valley Arts & Crafts Faire will be held this Saturday, September 20 at Hegins Park. More than 200 artisans and craftsmen will be in attendance.
Happy Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah begins on Monday at sundown. To everyone celebrating the Jewish New Year, I hope it brings thoughtful reflection, personal growth and renewed hope.
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