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In this Update:
Real Progress at Penn State Hazleton
I was recently invited to meet with Dr. Menah Pratt, the new Northeast Regional Chancellor for Penn State University, to discuss her plans to strengthen partnerships with local colleges and businesses, recruit students for the 2027-28 academic year, and establish a regional leadership academy. Dr. Pratt also shared that the collective efforts of more than 5,000 local residents, legislators, business leaders, and others to save Penn State Hazleton helped attract her to the campus and the Greater Hazleton community. Seth Hubler from my office also attended a breakfast meeting with Dr. Pratt and community leaders to learn more about her vision for the campus. I look forward to working with Dr. Pratt and other campus leaders to continue strengthening Penn State Hazleton and Penn State Schuylkill. Real Progress Continues at Palmerton Library
Improvements at the Palmerton Library are entering an exciting new phase. With most interior improvements complete, scaffolding is being assembled to begin façade improvements on the exterior of the building. Rep. Doyle 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. We recently toured ongoing progress back in July. 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! PA Senate Passes Two Additional Bills to Cut Red Tape Around Nonprofit Fundraising
The PA Senate unanimously passed two additional bills to allow local civic organizations, volunteer fire companies, and other nonprofits to use larger small games of chance prizes to raise funds and to keep more of what they raise. Senate Bill 995 would raise the weekly award limit to $60,000, the first increase since 2013, ensuring local groups can continue generating the revenue they rely on to support vital community programs and services. Senate Bill 465 would allow licensed clubs to retain up to 50% of their small games of chance proceeds, up from the current 40%. The change would provide clubs with more flexibility to cover operating costs while continuing to support their communities. Around the District
I was recently invited to attend the Luzerne County Human Services Legislative Roundtable. We discussed several important issues facing our communities, including expanded housing for seniors, alcohol and substance abuse, dental care for children, expanded mental health services, and more. We also discussed the re-use of the vacant White Haven State Hospital Property and opportunities to put this site back to productive use.
Congratulations to all this year’s Tamaqua Chamber award winners! This year’s honorees include:
There is considerable momentum in downtown Tamaqua to celebrate. From the new Temple University’s Dental Education Center & Clinic and student apartments, the newly completed Liberty Park near the Five Points replacing blighted buildings, major exterior improvements on fire-damaged buildings along West Broad Street, the historic renovations at the American Legion and the nearby former furniture store, and the ongoing conversion of the former Moose Lodge on East Broad Street into a police station, community center, and district magistrate’s court, Tamaqua continues to move forward.
Brad Hurley from my office attended the 2026 Carbon Chamber State of the County event at Blue Mountain Resort. Much of the discussion focused on the increasing demand for electricity throughout the region.
I was recently invited to attend the bipartisan Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Association Legislative Roundtable. During the event, we discussed several issues impacting businesses and families across our region, including energy costs. I highlighted the recent Senate Majority Policy Committee hearing I chaired in Downtown Shenandoah, which focused on increasing energy production and lowering utility costs, as well as the successful elimination of the Governor’s proposed “RGGI” carbon tax last year. We also discussed workforce development and ways to cut government red tape. This included local efforts such as the Temple Dental Education Center & Clinic, which will help train and retain dentists right here in our region; my bipartisan package of bills focused on growing the long-term care workforce; efforts to secure competitive economic development grants for our local technical and career centers; and permitting reform. We also discussed the need for improved infrastructure and greater housing availability across Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties. Read more about the roundtable here.
Seth Hubler from my office recently attended a dedication ceremony for the new Bergner Family Tract, the newest addition to the local State Game Lands system in Hegins Township. The 427-acre tract was sold to the Pennsylvania Game Commission by the Bergner family in honor of their father, K. Roland Bergner, who stewarded the land for nearly 70 years. The new public lands expand opportunities for hunting and outdoor recreation in Schuylkill County while improving access to an existing portion of State Game Lands 132 on Mahantongo Mountain. Thank you to the Bergner family for approaching the Game Commission about making this land available for the public to enjoy.
Mary Beth Dougherty from my office recently attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the future Texas Roadhouse and Starbucks at Indian Rock Landing along Route 61 in North Manheim Township. What was once a blighted, fire-ridden hotel complex is now on track to bring additional businesses, jobs, and opportunities to our area. This is a great example of what can happen when a challenging property is given new life through private investment and redevelopment. Congratulations to the Miller Bros. team and thank you to the incoming businesses for choosing to invest in our community! Read more about the new complex here.
I was recently invited to attend the dedication of the new Forest Drive Bridge in Hegins Township, near Redner’s Market and Tri-Valley High School. Rep. JoAnne Stehr and I worked with the Hegins Township Board of Supervisors to secure a $498,000 state grant to help support this VERY complicated project. Thank you to everyone involved for working together to see this MUCH needed project come to completion! Around the Capitol
On Monday at the State Capitol, I was presented with the 2026 Legislative Champion Award from LeadingAge PA. Over the last two years, I have been pleased to advance three measures that directly support our aging population and the professionals who care for them, including a bipartisan package of bills that would help grow our long-term care workforce. All three bills have passed the Senate, either unanimously or with strong bipartisan support, and are currently awaiting consideration by the House of Representatives. Too many of our families, including mine, have faced the difficult decision of moving a parent or grandparent into a long-term care center. The professionals who provide their care are facing increasing challenges because of workforce shortages. I am hopeful that the House will take up this legislation!
I stopped by the Capitol Rotunda to meet with Helen Hawkey from the PA Coalition for Oral Health. We discussed the incredible work already happening at the Temple University Dental Education Center & Clinic in Downtown Tamaqua.
I chaired a meeting of the bipartisan, bicameral Statewide Blight Task Force. We reviewed the status of several blight initiatives and discussed legislative priorities moving into 2027. I was joined by Rep. Tim Twardzik and Rep. Doyle Heffley.
I was invited to meet with members of the 4-H State Council, the youth leadership program for the Pennsylvania 4-H program, including Alyssa Cook. Alyssa, a senior at Tri-Valley High School, participates in the Blue Mountain 4-H Livestock Club, Teen Council, Schuylkill Potato Judging Club and the Schuylkill Cooking Club. Her 4-H projects include dairy beef, market goats, market turkeys, market rabbits, cooking, sewing, public speaking and potato judging. She plans to attend college to become a livestock veterinarian.
Rep. Tim Twardzik and I met with students from North Schuylkill Area’s Gifted Program. We shared with the students what a day in the life of a legislator looks like and answered several questions from the group. Thank you for joining us! October 17: Unclaimed Property Event in Ringtown
Did you know one in 10 Pennsylvanians have unclaimed property waiting to be claimed? To return this property to its rightful owners, Rep. Dane Watro and I will partner with the Pennsylvania Treasury to host an unclaimed property event on Saturday, October 17, from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Ringtown Library. Questions and to RSVP—call (570) 773-0891. Focusing on Our Local Communities: Meet Hazle Township’s Dr. Anthony Griguoli
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’re focusing on Hazle Township supervisor Dr. Anthony Griguoli. A Republican and a Hazleton native, Griguoli graduated from Bishop Hafey High School in 1989 before attending the State University of New York, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. He later continued his education at the New York Chiropractic College. In 1996, Griguoli returned to the Hazleton area to begin his practice, eventually establishing Griguoli Chiropractic & Rehab Center. Griguoli currently serves as chairman of the Hazle Township Board of Supervisors and is in his seventh year of service after recently being re-elected. “I first served on the municipal authority for a few years before one of the supervisor seats opened up and I decided to run. I got involved because I wanted to help people,” said Griguoli. “I truly care about the people that live in our township and if they have an issue, I want to help them solve it.” In addition to his township role, Griguoli is active in several community organizations. He is a member of the Hazleton Elks, the Hazleton Swing Club, and an active parishioner at Most Precious Blood Church in Hazleton. Griguoli is especially proud of the township’s recent investment in road improvements. “What we’re really proud of is the $6 million investment that we have put into improving our roads over the past three years,” added Griguoli. “Also, the economic development continues to be something we’re proud of in the township, creating good family sustaining jobs. There is a new Geisinger pharmaceutical warehouse coming in that we’re very excited about.” Quote of the Week
“If Pennsylvania were a country, we would have the fourth-largest natural gas reserves in the world. Harnessing our own clean energy isn’t a political debate—it’s jobs right here in our communities and lower utility bills at the kitchen table.” – U.S. Senator Dave McCormick |
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