Sen. David G. Argall (R-29) recently announced his intent to seek a second term in the State Senate.

"Since my election to the Senate three years ago, I have fought hard for the 250,000 residents of this district, from Maidencreek to McAdoo," said Argall. "We have written and passed some important legislation to improve our local job climate, but there is still much work to do for the people of this district."Argall cited the passage of his 2010 Neighborhood Blight Revitalization and Reclamation Act as one example of his bipartisan record of results for constituents. This effort has been described by one local newspaper as a law which "provides for a potent array of weapons to use against absentee landlords who abandon properties and their responsibilities."In 2010, Argall chaired the Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission, which identified over $400 million in wasteful spending. Several of the savings identified by Argall's commission were implemented in the 2011-2012 state budget in cuts to the Department of Public Welfare."We need leaders like Dave Argall in the State Senate," said Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati. "We have worked together to set this state on a path of prosperity and he continues to be an asset for Pennsylvanians on the issue of revitalization to aid job creators and tax reform efforts. I look forward to assisting Dave so he can continue his work for the people of the 29th District."Argall noted that there is also much work to be done on eliminating the archaic and unfair school district property tax, which is why he is the prime sponsor of legislation to adequately fund public schools while eliminating this unfair tax system.Argall cited one additional priority in helping local people solve state-related problems. "Each year, my staff and I work together to resolve thousands of problems, large and small. In the past three decades, I have worked in many different positions, from busboy, camp counselor, and office clerk to legislative researcher, college instructor, State Representative, and now, State Senator. None of that experience is more important than the service we provide in my local offices every day," he noted.Argall serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee and is a member of the Senate Appropriations, Aging and Youth, Community, Economic and Recreational Development and Inter-Governmental Operations Committees. He serves on the Local and School Property Tax Relief Caucus and is also a member of the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee. He also serves as a member of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania. He is a volunteer scout leader, an active member of his Church and founder of a Tamaqua community revitalization group that works to improve job growth and has helped to create Lehigh Carbon Community College's John E. Morgan center.He earned a bachelor's degree from Lycoming College, a master's degree and a Ph.D. from Penn State University's Harrisburg Campus, where he reviewed the pros and cons of Pennsylvania's tax-free KOZ zones as it relates to job creation. The Senate has recently passed legislation to reform the KOZ program based upon his research.Sen. Argall and his wife, Beth, reside in Rush Township. Their two children, AJ and Elise, are pursuing college degrees.