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In this Update:
Welcome, Charlie!
Beth and I traveled to Arlington, VA to meet our new grandson, Charles Zhang Argall. Charlie and his parents, Frances and AJ, are doing quite well, although a bit sleep deprived! Our favorite moment: when his “big”, two-year-old sister, Amelia, heard he might be hungry, we saw her try to feed him some of Beth’s turkey lasagna. Not quite yet, Amelia! My Bill to Address Caregiver Shortages Passes Committee
On Tuesday, the Senate Education Committee unanimously approved my legislation, Senate Bill 116. This bipartisan legislation will allow high school juniors and seniors to earn graduation credit by working or volunteering in licensed care settings that provide 24-hour care for the elderly. 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. This bill would show students careers in long-term care as they prepare to enter the workforce. School Cell Phone Restriction Legislation Advances
Finally! On Tuesday, Senate Bill 1014— the “bell-to-bell phone-free schools” bill — was approved by a unanimous, bipartisan vote in the Senate Education Committee. We’re one step closer to making every public school in Pennsylvania a phone-free zone during the school day, with sensible exceptions for medical needs, IEP/504 accommodations, ESL translation, or teacher-approved instruction. During a recent hearing on this issue, I shared concerns from my recent visit to the Panther Valley School District. I agreed with Aaron Chapin of Hazleton, President of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, who represents more than 177,000 educators statewide—his organization supports restricting student cell phone use in public schools. Evidence shows that cell phones have become a major factor in classroom distractions, cheating, bullying, and safety concerns—a growing issue students and educators across Pennsylvania are facing. Major Progress on the YMCA Expansion and New Coffee Shop in Pottsville
I recently toured the renovations underway for the new Schuylkill YMCA gymnastics facility at Alvernia’s downtown Pottsville campus, thanks to a new partnership between the two organizations. This project will significantly expand access to youth programs for families across our region — and will also include a brand-new coffee shop. Rep. Tim Twardzik and I were pleased to support this effort with a state grant. What was once a blighted, abandoned grocery store is now being transformed into a hub for education, community events, and soon, expanded athletic opportunities for local children and families. I look forward to working with Mayor-Elect Tom Smith and City Council and many local volunteers at the Y and beyond to breathe new life into Downtown Pottsville! Discussing Statewide Housing Initiatives
On my way to meet my new grandson, Rep. Tim Twardzik and I strongly advocated for more quality housing at the PA Homes Within Reach conference in Hershey. We had a productive, bipartisan discussion with hundreds of people on key housing and blight legislation, including my Senate Bill 345, which would strengthen the County Demolition Funding Program. To date, 30 counties — including Carbon and Schuylkill Counties — use my original law to tear down old, rat-infested buildings in order to revitalize older neighborhoods. These counties comprise 52 percent of the population of Pennsylvania. This bill passed with strong bipartisan support in committee and we’re working to schedule a vote before the full Senate. Lighting Up Carbon County’s Christmas Tree at the State Capitol
Tuesday marked a tradition in our state Capitol – the lighting of the Christmas Tree. The 25-foot Douglas Fir, as well as a second 22-foot tree on the Capitol steps, were supplied by Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Carbon County. Learn more about this tradition here. Veterans Expo in Jim Thorpe
Thank you to the hundreds of veterans from across the region who came to our recent Veterans Expo in Jim Thorpe. Thank you to Congressman Ryan Mackenzie, Rep. Doyle Heffley, and Carbon County Veterans Affairs for co-hosting this event. Congratulations to Minersville Boys Soccer!
Brenda Swank from my office recently visited Minersville Area High School with Rep. Tim Twardzik to congratulate the boys’ soccer team on an outstanding season. Led by head coach Ed Burke, the team captured their first-ever district title in the 2025 PIAA District XI Class A Boys Soccer Championship. Congratulations to these talented athletes and coaches on an incredible year! Congratulations to Eagle Scout Bryce Fetterolf!
Bryce Fetterolf was honored for earning the rank of Eagle Scout last weekend at just 14 years old! Bryce is an active member of Troop 662 of Valley View. For his service project, he constructed a new bridge along the Hegins Bike Path. Seth Hubler, my communications director, Rep. JoAnne Stehr, and County Commissioner Boots Hetherington congratulated Bryce and all those who guided him down the long trail to Eagle at his court of honor on Saturday in Hubley Township. DEP Issues Notice of Violation to Natural Soil Products in Frailey Township
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Notice of Violation to Tully Environmental/Natural Soil Products in Frailey Township, Schuylkill County for multiple violations of their permit. According to DEP, the company stored far more biosolids on-site than allowed, failed to conduct required groundwater sampling in coordination with the Department as is required, and used unapproved testing methods during their most recent sampling event. This is unacceptable. I will continue working with DEP to ensure that the law is enforced and violations like these are corrected. Christmas Steam Train Rides at Pioneer Tunnel in Ashland
The Pioneer Tunnel will host their annual Coal Region Christmas Steam Train Ride every weekend now until December 21. This is a great way to celebrate the season and our heritage. For more information, please call (570) 875-3850. Christmas Village in Downtown Hazleton
Hazleton Parks & Recreation is hosting their Christmas Village event at the Hayden Family Center for the Arts every Sunday from now until Christmas, from 2-7 p.m. Deadline Nears for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
Older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities have until Dec. 31 to apply for the state’s 2024 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. Remember, assistance through my offices is always free. You need not pay a private firm for assistance. Income limits increased again this year to $46,520 for both homeowners and renters. Remember to exclude 50% of Social Security when determining your income. The maximum rebate is $1,000. The program is open to residents age 65 years and older; widows and widowers 50 years and older; and people with disabilities 18 years and older. Click here for additional information or to apply online, or contact my offices for assistance if you applied previously but have not received your rebate, click here. Fishing Gift Vouchers, Licenses on Sale
Gift vouchers for your favorite angler, along with Pennsylvania fishing licenses and launch permits, are now available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Items for the upcoming 2026 season can be purchased at HuntFish.pa.gov or by visiting one of nearly 700 retail license issuing agents. Licenses, permits and vouchers purchased now are valid immediately for up to 13 months, from Dec. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2026. While in-person retail purchases remain popular, online purchases can save time and help you avoid long lines, especially right before the spring trout season, which begins statewide on Sat., April 4, 2026. Customers can choose an auto-renew option at the time of purchase. Tips for Safe Winter Driving
Last winter, there were more than 8,320 vehicle crashes statewide, with 2,959 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways and 29 fatalities – 17 of those fatalities were attributed to crashes where a driver was going too fast for conditions and drove out of their lane. For safe travels this winter, check out the Winter Driving Guide and other suggestions from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, such as keeping an emergency kit handy. Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. Free and available 24 hours a day, 511PA provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras.
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