Key issues discussed, debated at Back Mountain Chamber Legislative Breakfast

DALLAS — Managing to successfully muddle through a couple of political dust-ups, Northeast Pennsylvania’s federal and state legislators provided answers to questions on several key issues at Friday’s Back Mountain Chamber Legislative Breakfast.

The event, held at The Greens at Irem Clubhouse in Dallas, was attended by U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas; U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr., R-Dallas Township; Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township; Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-Dallas Township; Rep. Jamie Walsh, R-Ross Township; Rep. Jim Haddock, D-Pittston Township; Rep. Alec Ryncavage, R-Hanover Township; and Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre.

More than 100 people attended the event that endured a sometimes non-performing microphone/speaker system.

Several topics were discussed, including the possible closure of several Penn State University satellite campuses, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget, environmental issues, election laws, the legalization of recreational marijuana and economic development.

Penn State campus closings

Rep. Bresnahan said he met with Michael Wade Smith, PSU senior vice president/chief of staff, who is the co-lead of the group in charge of providing a final recommendation on the future composition of the Commonwealth Campus system.

“As of two weeks ago, I was told no decisions have been made,” Rep. Bresnahan said. “If anybody is going to chain themselves to a fence over this, it’s me because many of my constituents would be affected.”

Rep. Bresnahan said he sent a letter to PSU President Neeli Bendapudi, following the Feb. 25, 2025, memoranda by PSU to reevaluate campus locations across the Commonwealth.

He said Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District is home to a campus in Scranton, and two additional campuses — Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre (Lehman Township) — sit just outside the district and serve a sizable number of Rep. Bresnahan’s constituents.

“I want to make clear the deep concern and growing anxiety I have heard from my constituents that rely on these campuses for both education and employment, and highlight the detrimental impacts the closure of any of these campuses will have on higher education access and economic growth in our NEPA,” Rep. Bresnahan said. “I am most concerned about how closures could impact the quality and scope of PSU programs available to our local students and the potential job losses among local PSU faculty and staff.”

Rep. Bresnahan noted that the Feb. 25, memoranda stated that PSU’s leadership will be evaluating which of its campuses will close in the next several years. The Scranton, Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre campuses are among those being reviewed for potential closure or consolidation.

“Attempts at decreasing access to the services that are provided at our local PSU campuses only threaten to hinder our economic revitalization,” Rep. Bresnahan said.

Sen. Baker echoed many of Rep. Bresnahan’s concerns and she also noted that she was upset because the state legislators were never made aware of the possible closures prior to the public announcement of the plan.

“I’m a neighbor of the Lehman campus,” Sen. Baker said. “This announcement was very disappointing.”

Sen. Baker said she is not accepting closure of Penn State Wilkes-Barre as a foregone conclusion.

“As someone who previously sat on the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Advisory Board for many years, I can tell you that the announcement that the campus has been identified for potential closure comes as quite a shock to the community,” Sen. Baker said. “The student body, faculty workers and all the enterprises that are part of the support system are understandably worried about what the future holds. The heartfelt communications I am receiving from inside and outside the campus community capture the disappointment and sense of devastation people are feeling.”

Baker said she was not informed of the decisions prior to the public announcement, and to date, no one has shown her a plan. Baker said she recently met with the Acting Secretary of Education, Dr. Carrie Rowe and expressed her frustration and concerns.

“She (Rowe) informed me that the closure of an institution’s campus, including those of state-related institutions, requires approval from the Secretary of Education and shared a copy of correspondence sent to Penn State University President Dr. Neeli Bendapudi,” Baker said. “There is more due diligence required.”

Baker said this challenge is going to require the insight, analysis, innovation and collaboration of political leaders, educators, business and union officials, community leaders and strategic planners for us to achieve a sustainable and forward-looking outcome.

“To that end, I will continue to be part of this conversation,” Baker said.

Rep. Haddock said he has always supported state allocations for Penn State, but he said that f the closures go through he will no longer support that funding stream.

Rep. Pashinski said due to declining enrollments at PSU satellite schools — and throughout Pennsylvania — he intends to propose a delayed tuition payback plan. He said students would not have to pay their tuition until after graduating and after they secure a job.

Rep. Meuser said Penn State, like many institutions, both public and private, need to become for fiscally efficient.

“There are far too many excesses in many areas,” Meuser said.

Marijuana legalization

The legislators discussed the apparent move in Pennsylvania to legalize recreational marijuana to gain revenue for the state.

An Associated Press story this week said Pennsylvanians 21 or older would be allowed to legally purchase and use marijuana under a bill that passed the state House on Wednesday — the first time a recreational cannabis proposal has been approved by either legislative chamber.

The AP story reported that Democrats voted unanimously to advance the multifaceted bill to the Senate over unified opposition from Republicans, just as lawmakers are working out which issues will be part of the budget-season deal-making that occurs every year at this time in Harrisburg.

The AP story said Republicans expressed concern that legalization will increase marijuana usage, cause health issues and create safety problems at workplaces. Several pointed out that marijuana is still illegal under federal law.

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed legalizing recreational marijuana in his budget, counting on more than $500 million in revenue during the first year, primarily through licensing fees, the AP story said.

At Friday’s event, Rep. Walsh refuted claims that the legalization of recreational marijuana would increase state revenues.

“It will do just the opposite,” Rep. Walsh said before attacking Democrats for supporting the issue. That prompted Rep. Pashinski to call for order and moderators quickly calmed the room.

Economic Development

Some discussion was on economic development and delays in projects after they are announced. The legislators noted that permit approvals and zoning issues take longer to get approval, while construction is delayed.

Rep. Ryncavage offered this: “When construction does begin, often some salamander or newt or worm needs to be saved and the project is delayed, sometimes for years.”

Election issues

Luzerne County Council Chair John Lombardo asked the legislators what could be done to effect legislation that would clarify election rules and thereby decrease the possibility of lawsuits.

Rep. Pugh said she has already proposed two bills to address the issues: one regarding drop-boxes that is in committee discussions; and another moving the mail-in ballot deadline from 7 days out to 15.

Romilda Crocamo, Luzerne County Manager, attended the event, but she did not address the legislators. She did thank all the federal and state representatives for their unwavering support for Luzerne County.

“The challenges we face are best met as a united force, and I sincerely appreciate the robust discussions and debates that arise, even when addressing charged issue,” Crocamo said.

Crocamo said since the topic of drop boxes was raised, she wanted to emphasize that the county administration is closely following the direction of the Board of Elections.

“I will reiterate that is my responsibility to ensure the safety of my staff, the residents, and county property,” Crocamo said. “I take the responsibility extremely seriously. It has, and remains, the cornerstone of all of my decisions and recommendations.”

Crocamo said it is crucial for election bureaus across the Commonwealth to receive specific legislation that directs their actions.

“It is unfair to place election boards and bureaus in the cross-hairs of this issue, and other issues, as they currently operate,” Crocamo said. “I encourage each representative to reach out to me directly to discuss this matter further, and all matters critical to our residents.”

Crocamo said Luzerne County is dedicated to providing efficient government while ensuring that it delivers the highest level of services to residents.

“Together, we can navigate these challenges and strengthen our community,” Crocamo said. “I thank all the representatives once again for their support and partnership.”