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In this Update:
Independent Analysis Finds Our Current Governor the Least Effective in 50 Years
The Commonwealth Foundation’s new, independent analysis finds that Governor Shapiro has signed fewer laws than any other Pennsylvania governor in the last 50 years. Their analysis shows that the Governor has only signed 291 bills in three years, compared to an average of 496 for his past seven predecessors during the same period. While it is true, as the Governor often notes, that this is a time of divided government in the General Assembly, many of his predecessors faced the same situation. According to the Commonwealth Foundation, this means that “…Governor Shapiro’s memorable ‘Get Stuff Done’ slogan loses credibility when you view his legislative activity—or inactivity, to be more precise.” My Bills to Curb Welfare Abuse Become State Law
After four years of effort, as part of the bipartisan state budget package, three important reforms I spearheaded were passed with overwhelming support and signed into law to protect taxpayers and crack down on waste, fraud and abuse in our Human Services programs. Act 46 of 2025 includes three commonsense measures:
From 2019–2023, the Office of State Inspector General filed more than 2,900 criminal welfare fraud complaints, totaling over $15 million owed in restitution. This reform helps stop fraud before it happens.
A previous audit found 2,324 DECEASED Pennsylvanians still receiving public assistance!
While my earlier efforts were opposed by many members of the Senate and the House, this time this legislation passed the Senate with a vote of 46-3, and the House with a vote of 199-4. Finally, a victory for common sense! School Safety Legislation Becomes Law
Legislation requiring school districts to notify parents and school employees of any incidents involving possession of weapons on school property has become law. Under previous law, school districts were not required to inform parents or guardians about incidents when a weapon was brought onto school grounds or to related activities. The changes in Senate Bill 246 apply to public, nonpublic and private schools. The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support from the General Assembly. CRIZ Delivering BIG for Tamaqua
Rep. Jamie Barton and I hosted a packed crowd at the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce’s update on Tamaqua’s City Revitalization and Improvement Zone. We reviewed the impressive projects already completed and encouraged realtors and entrepreneurs to bring their next big ideas to this 130-acre zone. Tamaqua was one of only a few communities in Pennsylvania willing to take a chance by applying for this pilot program. Since 2015, the CRIZ has delivered more than $8.7 million in new funding for local redevelopment and that total will continue to grow until the zone’s benefits expire in 2045. At our lunch at La Dolce Casa, we reviewed these major improvements:
We also reviewed the other BIG announcement made in Tamaqua: Temple University will bring 20 upper-level dental students and thousands of patients from throughout our region to downtown Tamaqua through its first-ever rural dental education center and clinic, with the students living in renovated apartments nearby. The education center is expected to open by September 2026. Major Progress at the Future Rosalia Hotel in Downtown Pottsville
At the invitation of entrepreneur Bill Metzinger, I toured the ongoing renovations at the historic Miners National Bank building— the future home of the Rosalia Hotel — and I’m extremely impressed by how far this project has come. What started as a bold vision is quickly becoming a reality.
This long-needed project will bring 30+ hotel rooms, new conference and wedding venue space, and additional amenities right to the heart of downtown Pottsville… with ten weddings already booked!
Rep. Tim Twardzik and I were pleased to support this effort with a state grant. For years, local leaders, business owners, and event organizers have emphasized the need for more local overnight accommodations — for the Lager Jogger, the 70,000+ annual visitors to the Yuengling Brewery, and so many other local events. This is just one part of the city’s much-needed revitalization efforts, including the expansions at the Alvernia University Pottsville CollegeTowne campus and over 60 new market-rate apartments under development in the Schuylkill Trust Company building, just across the street from my Pottsville office. I share the Mayor-Elect and City Council Member-Elect’s goals for stronger public-private partnerships, breathing new life into Pottsville — and the sooner, the better! Meeting with Penn State Hazleton Student Leaders
In the dark days of Spring, when it looked as though Penn State might close down its Hazleton Campus, I promised its student government leaders hot dogs at a Hazleton landmark— Jimmy’s Quick Lunch — if we were successful in working together as a team, with my House and Senate colleagues and other community leaders throughout the Hazleton area, to save Penn State Hazleton. To celebrate that important victory, the student leaders recently enjoyed those promised Jimmy’s hot dogs with me as we reviewed our hard-fought effort to save the campus — and, even more importantly, discussed the next steps to strengthen and expand this local campus, along with our similar goals for Penn State Schuylkill. These student leaders understand what makes their campus special and how we can continue to strengthen our local Penn State campuses for the students of today and tomorrow. And, if you’re wondering: I chose the jalapeño dogs with chili. Yum! Our Best Year for Improved, Local Access to Higher Education Ever?
This may be our best year for improved, local access to higher education — EVER!
Yesterday, I met with hundreds of high school students to discuss the growing number of local higher education options across our region, including Penn State Hazleton and Penn State Schuylkill, Alvernia University’s Pottsville CollegeTowne, Lehigh Carbon Community College, and soon, Temple University’s Rural Dental Education Center and Clinic. Earlier this year our local state legislators organized a successful effort to save our two local Penn State campuses. Now we are working with Penn State to offer expanded programs at both its Schuylkill and Hazleton Campuses to bring even more options to our region. I also discussed opportunities at my alma mater, Lycoming College. Lycoming offers several financial aid opportunities, including a $1,000,000 Scholarship program funded by the Morgan Foundation. The scholarship program at Lycoming has benefited many local students, including my family. The good news doesn’t end there. Our new bipartisan state budget continues to help more college students through the Grow PA grant program, which provides up to $5,000 per year for students training in high-demand fields in Pennsylvania. If you or someone you know is preparing for college, be sure to check your eligibility! Protecting Seniors from Scams in Palmerton and Summit Hill
Thank you to everyone who joined our scam seminars on Thursday organized by Rep. Doyle Heffley and my staff. Special thanks to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for the thorough presentation about how to avoid falling prey to the latest scams targeting seniors. Argall Report: Supporting PA Veterans and Fighting Blight
The November edition of the Argall Report focuses on two important priorities: supporting Pennsylvania’s veterans and fighting blight in our communities. Earlier this year, I chaired a Senate hearing highlighting programs that help connect veterans with health care and meaningful employment. As Brig. Gen. Mark Goodwill of the PA National Guard shared, the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs continues to do incredible work helping service members transition home. Helping our veterans find stability is the least we can do after their sacrifice. This episode also highlights ongoing efforts to tackle blighted, abandoned buildings that drag down our neighborhoods. My Senate Bill 345, which recently passed the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee with bipartisan support, will provide additional funding to demolish dangerous, decaying properties—helping breathe new life into our communities.
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