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In this Update:
Senate Majority Policy Committee Examines Dental Workforce Shortages
I recently chaired a Senate Majority Policy Committee public hearing in Luzerne County on Pennsylvania’s severe dental care shortage. I was joined by Senator Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), Senator Joe Picozzi (R-Philadelphia), Senator Pat Stefano (R-Fayette), and Leo Russo from Congressman Rob Bresnahan’s office. The committee heard compelling testimony about the real consequences of limited access to dental care. Dr. Roosevelt Allen shared that many of PA’s rural communities have become dental deserts, forcing residents to travel long distances for care. He advocated for the creation of an additional dental school in Pennsylvania—just like the one that will open in Tamaqua this fall with Temple University. Dr. James Mancini highlighted a study showing Pennsylvania ranked first in the nation for dentists leaving the state between 2014-2024. Ann Hoffman, dental program director at Central Penn College, emphasized that we simply do not have enough dental hygienists to meet demand. She noted that her program receives more than 200 qualified applicants each year but can accept only 27, underscoring the need for expanded educational opportunities. We also explored solutions to strengthen the dental workforce. Dr. Darleen Oleski, trustee of the Pennsylvania Dental Association, voiced support for my Senate Bill 888, which would streamline the insurance credentialing process and make Pennsylvania more attractive to new dentists. Dr. Michael Verber called for targeted investments in dental hygienist education programs, and Dr. Linda Straub-Bruce emphasized the importance of joining an interstate licensure compact and building stronger workforce pipelines through higher education and career and technical programs. Congressman Dan Meuser, Rep. Jamie Barton, and I have been working with community partners to bring Temple University’s first rural dental education center and clinic to Tamaqua. This 24-chair facility will host third and fourth-year dental students who will live downtown during their final two years of training while providing much-needed comprehensive care to underserved patients. How Do We Prevent More Aggressive Driving Deaths?
At the invitation of Sen. Joe Picozzi (R-Philadelphia), I recently chaired a Senate Majority Policy Committee public hearing impacting communities across Pennsylvania—the rise in aggressive driving. I was joined by Sen. Pat Stefano (R-Fayette) and Nolan Richie, Executive Director of the Senate Transportation Committee. The committee heard powerful testimony about the tragic consequences of dangerous driving. Elizabeth Hocker shared the heartbreaking story of her son, Damien, who was killed in a hit-and-run just three blocks from his father’s home while walking home from the gym in 2024. Nicole Brunet, Director of 10,000 Friends of PA, also shared the tragic story of Billy McWilliams, a 16-year-old boy who was also killed in a hit-and-run while riding his bike. We reviewed strategies to crack down on illegal car meetups and strengthen traffic enforcement, both of which have contributed to reductions in crashes and fatalities. Advocates highlighted additional solutions moving forward, including safer infrastructure and road design, expanded use of speed and red-light camera enforcement, enhanced driver education, and improved emergency response strategies. Addressing aggressive driving requires a comprehensive approach—and this discussion was an important step toward making PA’s roads safer for everyone. Argall Report: Policy Committee Reviews PA’s Housing Shortage
A recent edition of the Argall Report focuses on Pennsylvania’s statewide housing crisis and what the General Assembly can do to combat it. This is an issue that I frequently hear about from residents across this district. Local officials, housing advocates, builders, and developers all shared a similar message—we need to promote homeownership, expand access to quality rentals, and remove unnecessary regulations. Here in our district, we’ve seen some recent successes when local leaders, private developers, and community partners are creating new housing in Pottsville, Hazleton, Weatherly, Orwigsburg, Shenandoah, and Frackville. Watch the full Argall Report here. Rallying for Literacy
I recently joined education leaders in the Capitol Rotunda to support literacy programs in our schools. A recent Senate Hearing I chaired focused on improving reading outcomes for Pennsylvania students. We examined how Mississippi’s low-cost reforms—often called the “Mississippi Miracle”—have produced dramatic gains, especially for disadvantaged students. In 2024, Pennsylvania took an important step forward by passing new laws to identify struggling readers early and provide teachers with additional resources. These changes reflect lessons learned from Mississippi’s success. But Mississippi didn’t just update its curriculum—they fully embraced the “science of reading,” invested in teacher training, and built strong accountability into their system. Pennsylvania is on the right track, but to ensure every child can read—regardless of zip code—we must remain committed to fully implementing these reforms. Read more here. Holding Toll Evaders Accountable
Senators Kim Ward and Judy Ward will introduce legislation to strengthen penalties for repeat toll evaders on the PA Turnpike. Specifically, this legislation will target individuals who have accumulated thousands of dollars in unpaid tolls. More than $200 million in unpaid tolls are being passed on to law-abiding drivers across Pennsylvania—raising costs for families, commuters, and businesses who already play by the rules. That’s simply unfair. I have co-sponsored this legislation to strengthen enforcement and hold repeat offenders accountable. Read more here. Keeping Our Families and Communities Safe
A year ago, the Senate took decisive action on several bills to keep our families and communities safe. Among the bills we passed are Senate Bill 92, known as Tyler’s Law, to impose tougher penalties on drug dealers who sell fentanyl resulting in a fatal overdose; Senate Bill 490 to prohibit non-monetary bail for the most dangerous individuals; and Senate Bill 347 to prohibit so-called “safe injection sites” – which endanger our neighborhoods in Pennsylvania. I voted for these bills because there is a clear and urgent need to give our law enforcement community new tools to combat these serious issues. Unfortunately, although the Senate passed all three bills with bipartisan votes, they continue to sit in the state House of Representatives waiting for action. It’s time for the House Democrats to advance these bills, and I will continue pushing for strong legislation to make our communities safer. |
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