Hazleton Area Law Enforcement Spotlight Local Crime Trends, Prevention Strategies at Public Hearing
Rep. Dane Watro (R-116) and Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) led a public hearing on crime trends and strategies to improve public safety today which featured updates from Hazleton area law enforcement officials. While much work remains ahead, most testifiers noted crime rates in the area were declining and below the national average. [Read More]
Felony Murder Sentencing Highlighted at Senate, House Hearing
Law enforcement officers and other public officials shared the on-the-ground reality of their efforts to fight crime and how the General Assembly could support their mission during a joint public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee and the House Republican Policy Committee hosted by Rep. Dane Watro (R-116) and chaired by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) and Rep. David Rowe (R-82) today in Hazleton. [Read More]
Public hearing on preventing future price spikes in our electric bills: supply and demand
Senate Majority Policy Committee | Center for Education, Business and Arts, 115 N. Main Street, Shenandoah PA | Watch Live [Read More]
Energy Costs Focus of Senate Hearing in Shenandoah
Strategies to increase energy production and lower utility bills for all Pennsylvanians will be examined during a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee on Friday, Aug. 14, at 9 a.m., at the Center for Education, Business and Arts, 115 N. Main St., Shenandoah. [Read More]
Joint public hearing on crime trends and solutions
Senate Majority Policy Committee and House GOP Policy Committee | Hazleton City Hall, 40 N. Church Street, Hazleton, PA 18201 [Read More]
Demolition Begins on Fire-Damaged St. Paul’s in Downtown Hazleton
Rep. Dane Watro (R-116) and Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) today announced demolition has begun on the former St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in downtown Hazleton. [Read More]
News for Veterans – August 2026
In this Update: Baseball Season Deals for Veterans Easier Access to CDL Training for Veterans August 25: Veteran Service Officer Day Attention Veterans: Shenandoah Valley Sports Locker & Veterans Support Fund is Here to Help! Display of the Constitutional Preambles in Schools Nearly $600 Million in Infrastructure Improvements Approved by VA Baseball Season Deals for […] [Read More]
Public Safety, Crime Trends to be Focus of Joint Senate, House Hearing Featuring Attorney General Sunday
HAZLETON – Crime trends and policies to make Pennsylvania communities safer will be examined during a joint public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee and House Republican Policy Committee on Monday, Aug. 10, at 10 a.m., at Hazleton City Hall, 40 N. Church St., Hazleton. Rep. Dane Watro (R-116) and committee chairs Sen. Dave […] [Read More]
Argall TV Report: Revitalization Efforts in Downtown Lehighton
The August edition of the local TV program hosted by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) highlights ongoing revitalization efforts in downtown Lehighton. [Read More]
Argall Bill to Remove Employment Barriers for Cosmetologists Signed into Law
Legislation authored by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) to streamline licensing for the cosmetology workforce has been signed into law by the governor, a major step in addressing Pennsylvania’s ongoing workforce shortages. [Read More]
Schuylkill County State Legislators Announce Economic Development Grants
Sen. Dave Argall (R-29), and Reps. Jamie Barton (R-124), JoAnne Stehr (R-107), Tim Twardzik (R-123) and Dane Watro (R-116) announced $7.35 million in state funding has been awarded for economic development projects throughout Schuylkill County. Each of the state grants must be matched with at least 50% funding by the grant recipient. [Read More]
Argall, Watro Announce Economic Development Grants for Luzerne, Schuylkill County Projects
Economic development projects in the Hazleton area and northern Schuylkill County are now reality thanks to $6.85 million in state grants. Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) and Rep. Dane Watro (R-116) worked with local leaders to secure this funding. [Read More]
Argall: House Action Needed to Support Victims Over Murderers
Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) today called on the state House of Representatives to pass legislation updating Pennsylvania’s sentencing laws for second-degree murder. Without legislative action, Pennsylvania’s existing sentencing structure for second-degree murder would be invalidated, creating uncertainty for victims, prosecutors and the courts. More than 1,150 individuals currently serving sentences for second-degree murder could be affected. [Read More]
Argall Announces Significant Increase in Public School Funding Across Carbon, Luzerne and Schuylkill Counties
Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) announced today the recently approved 2026-27 state budget includes significant funding increases for schools in Carbon, Luzerne and Schuylkill counties. In total, school districts in the 29th Senatorial District received almost $39 million more than in the 2025-26 state budget. [Read More]
Argall Supports State Budget Agreement
Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) supported a state budget today that doesn’t raise taxes. The final agreement was approved by a bipartisan vote of 44-6 in the Senate. [Read More]
Argall Bill to Remove Employment Barriers for Cosmetologists Set for Enactment
Legislation authored by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) to streamline licensing for cosmetology professionals across state lines is set to become law after being approved by the House of Representatives today. [Read More]
Argall: Stricter Oversight of Pennsylvania Commercial Driver’s Licenses Approved by Senate, Pending in House
Sen. Dave Argall (R-29), in response to many constituent requests after Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael E. Pahira, Jr. was killed in the line of duty during a Schuylkill County traffic stop last week, has noted his continuing support for strengthening laws governing non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) in Pennsylvania. Trooper Pahira was struck by a tractor-trailer driven by a person who was in the country illegally and had a non-domiciled CDL from Massachusetts. [Read More]
PA Senate Leaders Issue Statement on Passing of Trooper Michael E. Pahira Jr.
Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41), Senate Transportation Committee Chair Judy Ward (R-30) and Senate Majority Policy Committee Chair David Argall (R-29) issued the following statement today: [Read More]
Schwank, Argall Announce Appointment of Dr. Edward Michalik to State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators
Sens. Judy Schwank (D-11) and Dave Argall (R-29) today announced the appointment of Dr. Edward B. Michalik, Jr. to serve as a public member of Pennsylvania’s State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators. [Read More]
Schuylkill Legislators Announce Affordable Housing Funding
Schuylkill Community Action has been awarded more than $225,000 to provide affordable housing through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE), said Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-123), Rep. Dane Watro (R-116) and Sen. Dave Argall (R-29). [Read More]