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In this update:

• Honoring the Sacrifices of Our Veterans
• Election Recap in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne Counties
• 2023-24 East Stroudsburg University Legislative Fellow
• How Can We Fund Education More Fairly in Pennsylvania?
• Department of Labor and Industry Visits Keystone Job Corps Center in Luzerne County
• Hazleton Lions Club Celebrates 100th Anniversary
• Congrats to New Eagle Scout Alexander Krawchuk
• Recognizing Outstanding Pennsylvania Educators
• $900 Million Moved to PA’s Rainy Day Fund
• Are You Owed Unclaimed Property?

Honoring the Sacrifices of Our Veterans

Veterans Day is on Saturday. If you have a family member, friend, or neighbor who served in our armed forces, don’t forget to thank them for their service and sacrifice on behalf of our great nation. In honor of the holiday, my offices will be closed on Friday, Nov. 10, and reopening to serve constituents on Monday, Nov. 13.

Hazleton Area High School sponsored an excellent program on Wednesday honoring local veterans. Congratulations to everyone on this moving tribute to our nation’s heroes. Rep. Dane Watro and I both appreciated the ceremony.

Election Recap in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne Counties

This week, voters went to the polls to vote for many of the county and municipal leaders in our area. I look forward to working with you all!

Jeff Cusat (R) was elected to serve a third term as the mayor of Hazleton. In the time I’ve been representing Hazleton in the state Senate, Mayor Cusat and I have worked together with Rep. Dane Watro on several new initiatives.

Tommy Bruno (R) and John Nilles (R) were also elected members of Hazleton City Council.

In Carbon County, Wayne Nothstein (R), Michael Sofranko (R), and Rocky Ahner (D) were elected as Carbon County Commissioners.

Also elected in Carbon County:

Magisterial District Judge, District Court #56-3-03: Beth A. Dodson (R)

Controller: Kayla Herman (R)

Recorder of Deeds: Donna L. Gentile (R)

Coroner: Mark Smith (R)

District Attorney: Michael S. Greek (D/R)

Prothonotary: Kayla Semmel (R)

Sheriff: Daniel G. Zeigler (D/R)

In Schuylkill County, Larry Padora (R) will join incumbents Boots Hetherington (R) and Gary Hess (D) as a Schuylkill County Commissioner.

Also elected in Schuylkill County:

Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas: Bill Burke (R) 

Controller: Sharyn Yackenchick (R)

Treasurer: Linda Yeich (R)

Prothonotary: Bridget McGowan Miller (R)

Clerk of Courts: Crista DiCasimirro (R)

Register of Wills: Theresa Santai Gaffney (R)

Recorder of Deeds: Ann Dudish (R)

Coroner: David J. Moylan (R)

2023-24 East Stroudsburg University Legislative Fellow

I was honored to be named the 2023-24 Legislative Fellow by East Stroudsburg University. I joined them for a breakfast this week, where I discussed my work as the chair of the Senate Education Committee and as a member of the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.

Joining me was the Senator who represents ESU in Harrisburg, Senator Rosemary Brown. I also taught a political science class with Professor Kimberly Adams and toured the University’s tick research lab and the Schisler Museum of Wildlife & Natural History and McMunn Planetarium.

How Can We Fund Education More Fairly in Pennsylvania?

I was a panelist on WVIA’s Keystone Edition Reports this week. The show focused on the discussions in Harrisburg about how to fund our public school system more fairly, after the current system was declared unconstitutional. Joining me was Brian Waite, the Superintendent of Shenandoah Valley School District, and Katie Meyer, a reporter from Spotlight PA.

Watch the full show here.

Department of Labor and Industry Visits Keystone Job Corps Center in Luzerne County

Nicole Castillo, my Legislative Intern; Secretary Walker; Christine Verdier, my Chief of Staff

Secretary Nancy Walker of the PA Department of Labor & Industry visited Luzerne County to see the career-defining opportunities offered at the Keystone Job Corps Center.

The center offers training for jobs in the construction, healthcare, and hospitality industries. Having valuable training programs like this one close to home is key to encouraging more young people to build a career and a life here in northeast PA, while also ensuring local employers can find enough well-trained employees.

Hazleton Lions Club Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Congratulations to the Hazleton Lions Club, which celebrated their 100th anniversary this past weekend. Rep. Dane Watro, Mayor Jeff Cusat and I were invited to join their festivities.

It takes inspired leadership and dedicated people for any organization to make it to 100 years. Thank you to all the members for your service to the community.

Congrats to New Eagle Scout Alexander Krawchuk

Rep. JoAnne Stehr and I attended the Court of Honor of Alexander Krawchuk last weekend, celebrating his achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout! Alexander is from the Pine Grove area and is a member of Troop 651. For his Eagle Scout project, he restored a pavilion and repaired a footbridge at Frog Hollow Environmental Education Center.

Recognizing Outstanding Pennsylvania Educators

Pennsylvanians are encouraged to nominate their favorite teacher to be the commonwealth’s 2025 Teacher of the Year by Friday, Dec. 15. The Teacher of the Year Program celebrates excellence in teaching and honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the young people of Pennsylvania.

Nominate your favorite teacher here.

$900 Million Moved to PA’s Rainy Day Fund

Thanks to disciplined spending, nearly $900 million was transferred to Pennsylvania’s Rainy Day Fund. The transfer was the third-largest in the state’s history.

The fund, which exceeds $6.1 billion, provides protection from economic downturns and other unforeseen circumstances. It shields Pennsylvanians from being subjected to a tax increase at a time they would already be struggling financially.

Are You Owed Unclaimed Property?

The Pennsylvania Treasury Department is currently holding more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property, with about one in 10 residents eligible to recoup that property.

Unclaimed property includes dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance policies and contents of forgotten safe deposit boxes. The amounts can range from a few dollars to a few thousand dollars, with the average value of a claim being about $1,600.

To find out if you or a member of your family is entitled to unclaimed property, please visit www.patreasury.com. Unclaimed property can now be returned via direct deposit, and the process can be further expedited if the claimant provides their Social Security number when filing a claim. Because all property will be returned free of charge, there is no need to pay a private service to submit a claim.

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