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In this Update:
Keeping Neighbors Safe Despite the Big Snowstorm
From page one of Tuesday’s Republican Herald: just weeks into their first terms, Pottsville’s new leaders and veteran city employees faced a major snowstorm and acted quickly to keep residents safe. I commend new Mayor Tom Smith and Councilman Scott Price for stepping up, literally, and going above and beyond for their neighbors in Pottsville. Thank you to all the road and snow crews, as well as first responders from across this Senate district for your dedication and hard work — keeping our communities moving and safe during this huge storm! Temple Approves First-Ever Rural Dental Center in Tamaqua
This week, Temple University’s Board of Trustees officially committed to locating the Kornberg School of Dentistry’s FIRST-EVER rural dental education center and clinic right in downtown Tamaqua, scheduled to open this fall. This 24-chair clinic will expand access to much-needed dental care for underserved patients while training future dentists in a real-world, small-town setting. Just as important, Temple has also committed to renovating a long-vacant downtown building for student housing—another strong investment in Tamaqua’s revitalization.
Too many families across PA struggle to find timely dental care. Thanks to Temple University and the hard work of so many local, state, and federal partners, we are addressing that challenge head-on—right here at home. I’m very grateful to Rep. Jamie Barton, Dean Amid Ismail, Congressman Dan Meuser, Micah Gursky and the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership, the Tamaqua CRIZ authority, the Morgan Foundation, and the many community leaders and volunteers who worked with us to make this project a reality. This is a BIG win for rural health care, workforce development, downtown Tamaqua, and this Senate district! Temple is also now working with several of our local community colleges to help train more much-needed dental hygienists and assistants. Stay tuned for future news on this front! We should soon begin to see construction dust on West Broad and Center Streets. Many of our local dentists and patients have shared one simple message with me: This health care service is VERY much needed and the sooner, the better! Touring the New Palmerton Public Market
On Friday afternoon, before skiing the nearby slopes for a few hours at Blue Mountain Resort, Rep. Doyle Heffley and I were invited to tour the new Palmerton Public Market. The market has opened as a downtown hub for local small businesses, transforming the vacant Shea’s Hardware into a market offering more than a dozen local vendors offering fresh farm goods, handcrafted items, specialty foods, wine, coffee, and more. Palmerton has recently been recognized as one of the friendliest towns in Pennsylvania and one of Carbon County’s most successful downtowns. From working together to secure a $468,000 state grant for the Palmerton Public Library historic building restoration to a $1 million grant for a new, state-of-the-art police station, Rep. Heffley and I remain committed to downtown Palmerton. White Haven Awarded Over $485,000 to Breathe New Life into Historic Downtown
White Haven Borough was recently awarded $485,000 in state funding for projects to improve sidewalks and streetscapes and create a new multi-use trail along Main Street. The projects will make it safer for residents and visitors to walk through town, improve accessibility and support continued efforts to breathe new life into the borough. This is in addition to the more than $350,000 that Rep. Walsh and I helped secure early last year. Borough Manager Linda Szoke put it best: “This funding is a significant investment in White Haven’s future. Enhancing our sidewalks and streetscapes will improve safety, accessibility and connectivity for residents and visitors alike, while supporting the ongoing revitalization of our downtown and Main Street corridor. We are grateful for the commonwealth’s support and for the advocacy of our legislative partners in helping move these important improvements forward.” I am pleased that White Haven has been awarded this important funding. With its detailed Blueprint Community revitalization plans, the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway bringing new visitors into the borough from Jim Thorpe, Pittston and beyond, the continued development of the D&L Trail’s outdoor recreation connections, and new community development, library and infrastructure grants, White Haven is taking some major steps forward for residents, businesses and visitors. Argall Report: Highlighting Temple’s Tamaqua Dental Clinic, Coming Fall 2026
This month’s Argall Report is now airing! This episode highlights Temple University School of Dentistry’s first-ever rural dental education center and clinic, which was just approved by the Temple University Board of Trustees, coming to Tamaqua in 2026—bringing dental students and much-needed dental health care to Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties. We also discuss bipartisan legislation I introduced to allow high school juniors and seniors to earn graduation credit while working or volunteering in licensed long-term care facilities—helping address workforce shortages while exposing students to meaningful careers. Plus, an update on the “bell-to-bell phone-free schools” bill, aimed at keeping students focused while allowing sensible exceptions. Watch on local TV or online by clicking here. Yuengling Recognized as a Big Attraction in a Small City
Yuengling Beer, the largest craft brewery in the United States by volume, was just recognized as a must-see attraction in eastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1829, Yuengling is America’s oldest brewery and one of the most visited destinations in this Senate district, drawing more than 80,000 visitors each year. That steady stream of visitors supports local restaurants, shops, and small businesses throughout our region. As Pottsville continues to build on this momentum — with The Rosalia Hotel slated to open this spring, new destinations like The Chopping Block, and many other revitalization efforts currently underway — we are strengthening our economy and creating new opportunities for growth. New Mayor Tom Smith put it best: “Yuengling is Pottsville’s anchor. City Council and I are excited to work alongside local entrepreneurs, business leaders, and our legislators to enhance both the Yuengling and Pottsville experience for both the 80,000 visitors and residents alike!” I look forward to continuing to work with Mayor Smith and my local partners, Republicans and Democrats, to bring new businesses to Pottsville, promote this entire region, and showcase everything we have to offer! Returning Whole Milk to Schools
For years, I advocated for allowing schools to once again offer whole and 2% milk as lunch options—because it’s good for kids and good for Pennsylvania dairy farmers. As Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, last session I helped guide this effort by advancing legislation and holding committee hearings. After federal rules eliminated these options in 2010, milk consumption dropped—1.2 million fewer students were choosing milk within two years. The evidence is clear: whole and 2% milk provide 13 essential vitamins that support strong bones and a healthy immune system. Last June, the PA Senate urged Congress to pass the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, and I’m pleased it has now been enacted. This is a win for students and for Pennsylvania—home to the nation’s second-largest number of dairy farms—showing how smart policy can support both public health and our agricultural economy. Penn State Schuylkill Celebrates New Art Space
Penn State Schuylkill is celebrating the opening of the campus’s new Art Space— a gallery for exhibitions featuring the work of students, faculty, staff, and local artists, strengthening the connection between the campus and the surrounding community. Moments like this underscore why I was proud to partner with our local state representatives and community leaders to help save Penn State Schuylkill last year. Investing in this campus means investing in the future of our region. Congratulations, Seth!
Congratulations to my Communications Director, Seth Hubler, on receiving a 2026 Penn State Schuylkill Alumni Award! Seth was awarded the Pride and Spirit Award, recognizing his significant contributions to the success of the campus. His volunteerism and advocacy run deep—returning often to connect with students, speak in classes, meet with student organizations, and participate in campus events. Seth played a key role in the successful effort to save Penn State Schuylkill from closure last year, leading grassroots outreach with nearly 100 community partners, coordinating social media campaigns, engaging university leadership and the Board of Trustees, and helping me organize a legislative roundtable highlighting the campus’s critical role in Greater Schuylkill County. Even with the campus preserved, Seth continues to advocate for its future, including helping me organize follow-up legislative discussions to ensure Penn State Schuylkill remains a strong and thriving part of our community for years to come. He will receive this award at a reception this April. Well done, Seth! Read more here. 2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Applications Now Being Accepted
The application period is now open for this year’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, which provides rebates from $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older. Forms and instructions are available online, and eligible Pennsylvanians are encouraged to file their applications via myPATH to ensure their rebates are processed as quickly as possible. Please reach out to my office with any questions.
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