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In this Update:
Construction Update: Temple Dental Education Center & Student Apartments in Tamaqua
Construction is moving ahead every day at the former Rite Aid Pharmacy and former Scheid’s Department Store (or more recently, Tire Pros) in downtown Tamaqua. Façade and exterior improvements are underway at the Dental Clinic and Education Center. Additionally, interior walls have been framed, electrical and plumbing upgrades have begun, and the sewer infrastructure has been upgraded. Work at the Student Apartments is also taking shape, with interior demolition completed and construction beginning. The Tamaqua Dental Education Clinic and Center recently received its accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation for advanced and allied dental education programs, so that this fall, Temple’s first ever small-town location on Center Street will expand access to this life-saving care across Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties, training the next generation of dental professionals. The center will open this September. Twenty dental students, living here and providing quality dental care, helping thousands of people… this is some of the best news in our region in a long, long time! The Blight Fight Continues
As chair of the PA Statewide Blight Task Force, the PA State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) invited me to discuss the urgent need to remove blight from our communities. I reviewed my Act 152, which has brought millions of dollars to 31 counties to demolish dangerous, blighted structures across PA, including Schuylkill, Carbon, and —most recently—by a unanimous, bipartisan vote of County Council— Luzerne County! I highlighted two of my new bills, including Senate Bill 345, to strengthen the County Demolition Funding Program and Senate Bill 794, to increase assistance to municipalities with fire damaged properties. We also discussed my Senate Majority Policy Committee’s recent hearing on PA’s housing shortage. We need to cut through the bureaucracy, implement faster permitting, and speed up the reuse of vacant buildings. As one testifier put it, “Housing development in Pennsylvania is too long, too expensive, and too uncertain!” We also reviewed the importance of downtown and neighborhood revitalization to the 48 boroughs I represent including recent successes in Tamaqua, Jim Thorpe, Shenandoah, Pottsville, Hazleton, and beyond. We’ll provide more information on these local community efforts in the future…stay tuned! This Week’s Visits to the Capitol
It was a VERY busy week at the State Capitol. Between voting session and committee meetings, I met with several constituents and local organizations. I started off the week meeting with students from Towamensing Elementary School in Carbon County. Rep. Doyle Heffley and I enjoyed answering questions about our jobs as state legislators. If you are interested in visiting our beautiful State Capitol, please reach out to my Harrisburg office.
I then joined Schuylkill County residents Pam Kastner & Melissa Reber with the PA Literacy Coalition, and their children, to discuss literacy funding in the upcoming budget. I enjoyed sharing a photo from my father’s time as a school librarian with the group.
On Tuesday, I welcomed representatives from the Greater Wyoming Valley YMCA as part of their annual advocacy day. We discussed their different initiatives and projects underway in Luzerne County.
I was also visited by Elizabeth DiGennaro, a student from Weatherly High School who participates in the Chief Science Officer (CSO) program. The CSO program is an international initiative dedicated to elevating student voices through leadership opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
I sat down with Mike Stefan from Penn State University to discuss ongoing initiatives at Penn State Hazleton & Penn State Schuylkill. He shared with me that the university is welcoming new chancellors at both campuses and continuing to support them into the future.
I stopped by to say hello to Miss Kiss and representatives from The Hershey Company. Hershey operates a factory in Hazle Township, where they produce Kit-Kat, Cadbury, and Caramello products, employing more than 100 people.
LeadingAge PA asked me to join their Advocacy Day Press Conference at the State Capitol because too many families, including mine, have faced the difficult decision of moving a loved one into a long-term care center. With PA’s 65 and older population is expected to double by 2040, I introduced three bipartisan bills to alleviate our existing staffing shortages. All three bills passed the Senate – with overwhelming bipartisan majorities —and are awaiting votes in House Committees. Our long-term care workers can’t wait any longer!
On Wednesday, I spoke with Mike O’Sullivan from the College Board. We discussed the Keystone Exams in PA.
Also on Wednesday, I met with the Greater Lehigh Valley Relators Association to discuss making homeownership easier for Pennsylvanians. We also discussed strategies for boosting housing inventory in Carbon, Schuylkill, and Luzerne counties. Around the District
Christine Verdier, my Chief of Staff, recently attended the unveiling of Schuylkill County’s Liberty Bell at Liberty Park in Tamaqua as part of the Bells Across America PA Celebration, sponsored by America250PA. Congratulations to Kim Woodward and members of the Tamaqua Area Middle School Art Club on their amazing work designing this bell, inspired by the theme “Freedom to Change.” Their creation honors our coal mining heritage and highlights many of Schuylkill County’s most iconic staples — from Mrs. T’s Pierogies and Guers Iced Tea to Yuengling, Muhammad Ali’s boxing ring, and the Schuylkill County Courthouse — and so much more.
We replaced over 30 damaged license plates at an event Rep. Dane Watro and I hosted in Mahanoy Township. Thank you to Police Chief Jody Long for inspecting plates and assisting people with their forms. If you missed this one, we will be hosting more of these events soon—stay tuned!
Seth Hubler, my communications director, recently attended a Legislative Farmer’s Breakfast at Jack’s Spot in Pitman, hosted by Reps. JoAnne Stehr and Tim Twardzik. Nearly 100 local farmers had the opportunity to hear from PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding; Chris Hoffman, President of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau; Doug Wolfgang of the PA State Conservation Commission; and Troy Ott, Dean of the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. Thank you to our farmers for everything you do to keep our communities healthy and strong! Attention Women Veterans: Join Me for a Women Veterans Day Ceremony in Harrisburg
Join me for a Women Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, June 10 at 10:00 a.m. in the Ryan Office Building Atrium. This event, organized by Army veteran and Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, will honor the service, strength, and contributions of women veterans across the Commonwealth, recognizing their dedication and sacrifice. Following the ceremonies, women veterans from this Senate district should join me for lunch in my Capitol Office. RSVPs are required. To reserve, please call (717) 787-2637 by Monday, June 8. WVIA Highlights Hearing Focused on Dental Workforce Challenges in Luzerne County
WVIA recently highlighted a Senate Majority Policy Committee hearing, which I chaired in Luzerne County, focused on dental workforce challenges across PA. The committee heard compelling testimony about the consequences of limited access to dental care. Many rural communities have become dental deserts, forcing residents to travel long distances for treatment. Dental industry leaders also noted that Pennsylvania led the nation in dentists leaving the state from 2014–2024, along with a severe shortage of dental hygienists. Several solutions were discussed, including streamlining insurance credentialing through my Senate Bill 888, investing in hygienist training programs, joining an interstate licensure compact, and strengthening workforce pipelines. There was also strong support for establishing an additional dental school—like the one opening in Tamaqua with Temple University. Focusing on Our Local Communities: Meet Kidder Township’s Bruce Berger
Welcome to another 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 southern Luzerne counties. This week, we are focusing on Kidder Township Supervisor, Bruce Berger. Berger, a Republican, serves as the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Kidder Township in Carbon County. Berger was born and raised in Albrightsville in Kidder Township, graduating from Jim Thorpe High School in 1992. Berger worked at Big Boulder Ski Area and Getz’s Transportation as a bus driver for over 40 years. Berger also served as a full-time police officer for Kidder Township for 29 years attaining the rank of corporal and retiring in 2014. Berger currently works for the Pennsylvania Turnpike where he’s been an employee for the past 10 years. Berger is in his eleventh year as a supervisor in Kidder Township. “I wanted to do whatever I could do to better public safety in the community by helping to enhance our fire department, EMS and police department,” said Berger. “I wanted to give back to the community where I have lived my whole life.” Berger has been a member of the Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Company since 1977, serving as chief for over 25 years and now as a member of its Board of Directors. He has also been a member of the Lake Harmony Ambulance Rescue Squad since 1982 and currently serves on its Board of Directors. Berger is one of the appointed directors from Carbon County fire companies for the Carbon County Emergency Operations Center and currently serves as treasurer of the Carbon County Fire Association. Next Friday: Shredding Event at the Fairlane Village Mall
Rep. Tim Twardzik and I are hosting a free shredding event at the Fairlane Village Mall parking lot on Friday, June 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a great opportunity to fight identity theft by having documents containing personal information shredded on site for free. Attendees are limited to a three bag or box limit. Businesses are prohibited. For more information, please call 570-794-4039. Remembering D-Day
On June 6, 1944, the fate of Europe would be determined by the largest amphibious invasion in history, including 13,000 aircraft and gliders, 23,400 paratroopers, 5,000 ships and landing craft and 160,000 American, British and Canadian troops. More than 9,000 Allied servicemen were killed or wounded that day in northern France. It is our responsibility as Americans to honor their bravery, tell the stories of their heroism and preserve what they defended so their sacrifices were not in vain. Quote of the Week
“Whatever you are, be a good one.” – Abraham Lincoln |
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