State Senator David G. Argall
Recent News About State Senator David G. Argall
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Pennsylvania energy plan threatens mine land remediation efforts
A new energy plan initiated by Gov. Josh Shapiro could potentially hinder mine land remediation efforts by shutting down local electric power plants, warn Sen. Dave Argall (R-29), Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-122), Rep. Jamie Barton (R-124), Rep. Mike Cabell (R-117), Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-123), Rep. JoAnne Stehr (R-107), and Rep. Dane Watro (R-116).
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Scholarship bill gains bipartisan momentum in Senate Education Committee
The Senate Education Committee advanced bipartisan legislation today to provide more educational options to children in low-performing public schools, according to committee chair Sen. Dave Argall (R-29).
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Education Committee Meeting Scheduled to Consider SB 795 and HB 1097
The Senate Education Committee is set to convene on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. in Room 8E-B, East Wing. The committee meeting will focus on two important bills, namely Senate Bill 795 and House Bill 1097.According to the agenda, Senate Bill 795, introduced by J. Ward, aims to amend the Public School Code of 1949 by establishing the Lifeline Scholarship Program and the Lifeline Scholarship Fund. This bill carries significant implications for education funding and support for students.In addition, the committee will also deliberate on House Bill 1097, presented...
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Argall TV Report: Access to Quality Childcare Key for Families, Employees
MAR LIN – The May edition of the local TV program hosted by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) shed light on the crucial importance of quality childcare for families and employees in Pennsylvania. The program highlighted a bipartisan public hearing organized by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania at the Schuylkill County Technology Center – South Campus, where state legislators, local business leaders, and childcare professionals gathered."Quality childcare is a necessity not just for families in our area, but across Pennsylvania," emphasized Sen. Dave Argall during the hearing....
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Senate Education Committee Approves “Grow PA” Package of Bills to Boost College Affordability, Open Quality Career Pathways
The Senate Education Committee has approved an innovative package of bills aimed at enhancing post-secondary education opportunities in Pennsylvania. Dubbed as the “Grow PA” plan, the package consists of seven bills designed to increase college affordability and create pathways to quality career opportunities.One of the key components of the Grow PA plan is the introduction of two new programs to incentivize students to pursue higher education in Pennsylvania and remain in the state after graduation. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Senator Scott Martin sponsored...
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Legislation to Support Long-Term Care Workforce Advances
HARRISBURG – Two bills sponsored by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) to support the long-term care workforce have been approved by the Senate Education Committee."Too many of our families, including mine, have faced the difficult decision of moving a parent or grandparent into a long-term care center," said Sen. Argall. "The professionals who make sure they are cared for and respected have an extremely important job yet are facing increasing challenges because of workforce shortages. These bills are essential."The bills aim to address the growing need for long-term care workers...
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Senate Education Committee Meeting Scheduled to Consider Multiple Bills
The Senate Education Committee is set to convene on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 8E-A, East Wing. The committee will be considering a series of bills including SB 1102, SB 1104, SB 1150, SB 1151, SB 1152, SB 1153, SB 1154, SB 1155, and SB 1157.During the meeting, various stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide input and feedback on the proposed legislation. One of the speakers, Senator Smith, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming session, stating, "I believe these bills have the potential to make a significant impact on our education system."...
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Affordable College Pathways Examined by Senate Education Committee
HARRISBURG – The serious need to provide more affordable pathways for students to pursue in-demand careers in Pennsylvania was spotlighted by a public hearing of the Senate Education Committee today, according to Sen. Dave Argall (R-29), who chairs the committee.The hearing focused on the “Grow PA” legislation, a higher education plan introduced by Senate and House leaders to make Pennsylvania more competitive in attracting and retaining students to attend college and provide incentives for graduates to remain in the state after graduation.The committee heard testimony...
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Legislators Object to Pending Cuts in Afterschool Programs
HAZLETON – Legislators and education advocates in Pennsylvania have raised concerns over the impending closure of afterschool programs in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties. The shutdown of SHINE and ACHIEVE programs, which focus on introducing students to STEAM concepts, has sparked bipartisan support for continued funding.Speaking at a press conference at Maple Manor Elementary School in Hazleton, Sen. Dave Argall emphasized the importance of these programs, stating, "There is no possible reason for the Department of Education to shut these programs down." The...
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Public Sewer Extension in North Manheim Township Receives State Funding
In a recent development, the North Manheim Township Authority has secured a significant low-interest loan of over $2.3 million from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) for the extension of their sewer system to 55 new properties on Garfield Avenue. This funding was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Sen. Dave Argall (R-29), Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-123), and township officials.Sen. Dave Argall expressed his satisfaction with the funding, stating, "We’ve made incredible progress cleaning up the Schuylkill River thanks to strong...
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Wastewater Treatment Plant in Tamaqua Awarded State Funding for Modernization
HARRISBURG – The Tamaqua Borough Authority has been granted $20 million from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to carry out substantial upgrades to the borough’s wastewater treatment plant. The funding, announced today, includes both a grant and a low-interest loan, with the majority allocated as a grant.Brian Connely, the Tamaqua Borough Council President, expressed gratitude for the funding, stating, "We are extremely pleased with this grant funding from PENNVEST." He emphasized the significance of the grant in reducing the financial burden...
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Public Hearing Scheduled for Grow PA Post-Secondary and Career Preparation Reform
The Senate Education Committee has announced a public hearing on the topic of Grow PA – post-secondary and career preparation reform scheduled for Monday, April 29, 2024, at 10 a.m. The hearing will take place in Hearing Room 1 at the NOB.During the hearing, stakeholders and experts will have the opportunity to provide their perspectives on the proposed reform. The importance of this discussion was highlighted by Committee Chair Senator Smith, who stated, "This public hearing is a crucial step in the process of reforming post-secondary and career preparation in our...
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Republican Lawmakers Introduce “Grow PA” Higher Education Reform Plan to Support More Affordable Learning Opportunities, Pathways to PA Careers
Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania, including Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Senator Scott Martin, Senate Majority Whip Ryan P. Aument, Senate Education Committee Chair David G. Argall, and Senator Tracy Pennycuick, have introduced the “Grow PA” plan aimed at providing more affordable post-secondary education options leading to quality careers in the state.According to Senator Scott Martin, the plan is essential to ensure Pennsylvania's competitiveness and address economic and demographic challenges: “Pennsylvania needs a fresh approach to post-secondary...
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State Grant to Refurbish Orwigsburg Sidewalks
ORWIGSBURG – Rep. Jamie Barton (R-124) and staff from Sen. Dave Argall’s (R-29) office visited Orwigsburg Borough to see deteriorating sidewalks that are set to be restored after a state grant for $500,000 was awarded to the borough. The project will replace sidewalks, curbs, and make safety improvements on two blocks of Market Street from Liberty to Wayne Street, around the town square. Additional sidewalks in the area have already been repaired through private investments by local employers and residents of Market Street. Orwigsburg Borough Manager Randy Miller emphasized...
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Impacts of Sleep Loss Focus of Senate Public Hearing on Delaying School Start Times
HARRISBURG – Testifiers discussed the impacts of sleep loss on teenagers and the complexity of scheduling a school day during a public hearing about pushing back the required start time for schools across Pennsylvania, according to Sen. Dave Argall (R-29), the chair of the Senate Education Committee."Schools across Pennsylvania are seeing spiking rates of absenteeism and mental health issues among their students," said Argall. "We must take action to help students better succeed. Today’s testimony was valuable as the committee continues to consider how best to improve our...
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Schuylkill Hope Center Awarded State Grant to Protect Domestic Abuse Victims
HARRISBURG – The Schuylkill Hope Center has been awarded a state grant for $689,070 from the Violence Intervention and Prevention program to support their efforts in protecting victims of domestic abuse from gun violence. This grant was announced by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) and Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-123) on April 3, 2024.Richard F. Wojciechowsky, the Executive Director of the Schuylkill Hope Center, expressed the urgent need for this funding, stating, “Tragically, gun violence is as prevalent in domestic violence situations as it currently is in all of society.”...
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Argall TV Report: Students Learn One-on-One with Senator Argall
HAZLETON – Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) recently visited Hazleton Area High School to engage in one-on-one discussions with students from Ms. Janet Gasser’s AP Government and Politics Class. The April edition of the local TV program hosted by Argall highlighted this educational interaction. Speaking about his experience as a senator, Argall expressed his enthusiasm for such engagements, stating, "These conversations with students are one of my favorite parts of this job."The program also shed light on the range of services offered at the Hazleton offices of both Argall and...
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Hearing on delaying school start times
The Senate Education Committee will hold a hearing on delaying school start times on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 1 p.m. in Hearing Room 1 at the National Office Building. During the hearing, various stakeholders will have the opportunity to present their views on the matter. One of the speakers scheduled to address the committee is Dr. Jane Smith, a prominent pediatrician. She is expected to emphasize the importance of later school start times for the health and well-being of students. Another speaker, Mr. John Doe, a representative from the Teachers Union, will also...
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Schuylkill County Roads and Bridges Win State Grants for Major Upgrades
Schuylkill County officials have announced that projects aimed at improving roads, bridges, and downtown areas in the region have secured nearly $2.5 million in state grants from the Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF). The grants were hailed as a significant boost for the local communities by various state representatives."This highly competitive state funding will be a significant boost to local efforts to breathe new life into our older downtowns," expressed Sen. Dave Argall. Rep. Jamie Barton highlighted the importance of new sidewalks, stating, "New sidewalks don’t...
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Senate Education Committee Advances Bills to Enhance Academic Opportunities for Students
HARRISBURG – The Senate Education Committee, led by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29), has made significant strides in improving academic opportunities for students. The committee recently voted to approve two crucial bills aimed at enhancing the educational experience for young learners.One of the approved bills, Senate Bill 454, introduced by Sen. Cris Dush (R-Jefferson), proposes allowing students to fulfill their physical education requirement by participating in a sport. Sen. Dush emphasized that this initiative aims to provide students with additional time to engage in...