January 19, 2012
READING, Jan. 19, 2012 — Reading School District has been awarded a $500,000 federal grant to help foster after-school educational programs, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank and state Rep. Tom Caltagirone.
Reading was one of 17 school districts across the state to receive the 21st Century Community Learning Center Challenge grant, which will be used to establish community learning centers that would provide educational services to students in struggling school districts.
“This is an innovative plan that will reinforce the lessons our students are learning in the classroom in a safe environment,” said Schwank (D-11th dist.). “We have so many bright and eager students in the Reading School District who want to learn, and thanks to this grant, they will be able to continue their studies after school dismissal.”
“Every child deserves an opportunity to succeed, and so many students can benefit from extra opportunities to learn and grow,” said Caltagirone (D-127th dist.). “This grant will help the Reading School District ensure that students are receiving a quality education.”
Reading was selected among 119 applicants from across the state. The Pennsylvania Department of Education distributed a total of $20.9 million in federal grant funding.
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December 23, 2011
Free enrollment is now available for a limited time.
READING, Dec. 23, 2011—State Sen. Judy Schwank today said families who open or contribute to a Pennsylvania 529 College Savings account before Dec. 31 will be able to enroll for free and reduce their 2011 Pennsylvania state taxable income.
“It is never too early or too late to start saving for college, especially as tuition costs continue to rise over the years,” Schwank said. “Families who contribute before Dec. 31 will be able to reap valuable tax benefits, as well as contribute to their children’s higher education.”
Taxpayers can deduct up to $13,000 per beneficiary in PA 529 contributions from Pennsylvania taxable income on their state tax returns for 2011. Married couples filing jointly can deduct up to $26,000 per beneficiary if each spouse has taxable income of at least the amount deducted. Additionally, family and friends can contribute up to $65,000 in a single year ($130,000 for a married couple filing jointly) for each beneficiary without incurring federal gift tax consequences (assumes no other gifts in the next four years).
Plus, earnings in a 529 plan are not subject to yearly taxes as they grow, and when used for qualified higher education expenses, earnings are tax-exempt when withdrawn.
PA 529 College Savings Program is offering free enrollment – a $50 savings – for all new PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) accounts opened before Dec. 31 at www.PA529.com. Use code “StartToday” when prompted. There is no enrollment fee for the PA 529 Investment Plan (IP).
“During this holiday season, there is no better gift to give a child than a gift of an education, especially during this free enrollment period,” Schwank said. “Make a resolution for 2012 to start saving for college right now.”
To open or contribute to an account, visit www.PA529.com or call 1-800-440-4000.
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December 15, 2011
HARRISBURG, Dec. 15, 2011 — An additional 291 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $726,000 that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Preservation Board member.
According to the senator, the following farms will be preserved:
Family Municipality Acres Preserved
Larry & Denise Grumbine Bethel Twp. 126.9
Terry & Sue Kunkel Albany Twp. 93.6
Rachel Theis Oley Twp. 69.9
Total: 290.4
“I’m proud to say that Berks County has preserved more acreage of farmland than any other county in the program,” Schwank said. “Agriculture is the economic engine here, and we are making significant contributions to the state’s economy, so it’s imperative that we continue to preserve our precious and fruitful farmlands.”
Statewide 4,229 farms totaling 457,537 acres have been preserved since the program’s inception. In Berks County, 634 farms consisting of 64,291 acres have been preserved.
The Agricultural Land Preservation Board is intended to permanently preserve large clusters of viable agricultural lands by acquiring agricultural conservation easements (ACE). An ACE prevents the development of the land for any purpose besides productive agriculture.
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14 de diciembre de 2011
HARRISBURG, Dec. 14, 2011 — State Sen. Judy Schwank today issued the following statement on legislation that redraws the Congressional map in Pennsylvania into 18 districts, which passed the Senate today by a (26-24) vote:
“This map is a travesty and there’s no reasonable explanation from what I can see,” Schwank said. “At one time, Berks County was represented by one member of Congress. Considering the makeup of our population, that shouldn’t be uncommon. But somehow, we became a magnet for political upheaval and disruption, ripe for cherry-picking voters for political benefit.
“Over the past decade, we were surgically carved into four Congressional districts with a sharp partisan scalpel. The proposed plan for the next decade is more of the same,” said Schwank, who voted against Senate Bill 1249. “We will continue to have not one, but four members of Congress attempting to represent the good people of Berks County in Washington.”
Under the legislation, Berks County would be represented by the 6th, 7th, 15th and 16th districts in the U.S. House of Representatives. Only one other county on the approved Congressional map — Montgomery County — would be represented by more members of Congress.
Philadelphia and Allegheny counties, both of which have triple the number of residents that Berks County, each contain three Congressional districts.
“It is completely and totally unnecessary to divide up our county except, of course, to ensure a political stranglehold on this legislature and Congress,” Schwank said. “The new 7th Congressional district, which snakes its way into Berks, is a disgrace. It is the absolute definition of the word ‘gerrymander.’
“The purpose of redistricting is to reflect changes in population to ensure that the people are properly represented in the state legislature and in Congress,” Schwank said. “The Congressional redistricting map is a blatant attempt to protect seats.
“To slice and dice our county away for political gain is not in the best interest of the 403,000 Pennsylvanians who live in Berks County,” Schwank said. “These actions seek only to divide rather than unite and they are disrespectful to the wishes of the people for fair representation.”
Senate Bill 1249 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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14 de diciembre de 2011
HARRISBURG, 14 de diciembre de 2011 - La senadora estatal Judy Schwank recuerda a los ciudadanos elegibles que la solicitud para el reembolso del impuesto estatal a la propiedad/alquiler vence el 31 de diciembre.
"El año pasado, más de 31.000 residentes del condado de Berks cobraron 14,7 millones de dólares en descuentos. Eso es un ahorro significativo", dijo Schwank. "En esta economía, la gente puede beneficiarse de este programa más que nunca, así que insto a las personas elegibles para aplicar ahora, y animo a todos a recordar a sus amigos y seres queridos que calificarían para un reembolso que la fecha límite se acerca rápidamente."
Las solicitudes y la asistencia gratuita para la presentación están disponibles en la oficina del distrito del senador en el Rockland Professional Center, 1940 N. 13th St., Suite 232 en Reading.
Los formularios de solicitud de devolución del impuesto sobre bienes inmuebles/alquiler (PA-1000) y la información también están disponibles en línea en www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com o llamando al 1-888-222-9190 entre las 7:30 a.m. y 5 p.m., de lunes a viernes.
El programa de reembolsos beneficia a los ciudadanos de Pensilvania mayores de 65 años, a los viudos y viudas mayores de 50 años y a los discapacitados mayores de 18 años. El límite de ingresos es de 35.000 $ anuales para los propietarios de viviendas y de 15.000 $ anuales para los inquilinos, y se excluye la mitad de los ingresos de la Seguridad Social.
El reembolso estándar máximo es de 650 $, pero los reembolsos suplementarios para los propietarios de viviendas que cumplan los requisitos pueden aumentar los reembolsos hasta 975 $.
El estado está proporcionando $ 776,2 millones en alivio de impuestos a la propiedad de este año, incluyendo la ampliación de los reembolsos de la propiedad del estado / programa de reembolso de alquiler y el alivio general de impuestos a la propiedad para todos los propietarios de viviendas distribuidas a través de los distritos escolares el verano pasado. Como resultado, las facturas de impuestos sobre la propiedad escolar se eliminaron por completo para alrededor de 120.000 residentes en todo el estado este año.
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November 23, 2011
READING, Nov. 23, 2011 — After receiving public input on the recent storm-related power outages that occurred in Berks County, State Sen. Judy Schwank provided the results of a storm-related power outage survey, she recently conducted, to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and asked the Commission to come up with a specific plan of action plan to improve the performance of utilities in future weather emergencies.
“More than 250 residents responded to my request for information with detailed accounts of their storm and power-outage experiences,” Schwank said. “I am grateful for their input and believe the responses will help improve how our utilities and the PUC respond during emergencies such as this.”
Earlier this month, Schwank asked the tens of thousands of Berks County residents who were left without power to provide her with specific information about their utility’s response to any problems they experienced with their service during and after the storm in an effort to gain an understanding of the storm’s impact on consumers.
Schwank said the results of the survey provided an eye-opening perspective of the storm’s impact and the response of the utility companies. The survey found that:
- Nearly 80 percent of respondents experienced power outages of more than 3 days;
- Sixty-five percent endured more than five days without power;
- More than 40 percent of the respondents cited poor communication and financial loss as their chief concerns;
- A third of respondents cited inadequate line maintenance as an important concern; and
- Eighteen percent mentioned frequent outages and service reliability and medical concerns as major issues.
Today, Schwank sent a letter to the PUC detailing the results of the public survey and requesting a specific action plan from the commission.
“The purpose of this effort is not to castigate or vilify utility employees; indeed, the linemen and women and other workers worked very hard under extraordinary conditions to restore power,” said Senator Schwank. “The goal here is to get the Commission to consider the real faces and real life impacts of the storm and the response of utilities to it and take substantive action to ensure that they do better in the future. In particular, two glaring areas that need improvement are the method and manner utilities employ to communicate with customers during outages and the extent and quality of their preemptive maintenance and equipment repair and replacement programs. “
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November 22, 2011
READING, Nov. 22, 2011-– State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th dist.) presents a Senate citation to Craig Breneiser of Reading at the Nov. 21 Pennsylvania State EMS Awards dinner, hosted by the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council. Breneiser was this year’s recipient of the 2011 EMS Communications Award. Breneiser served Berks County for 29 years as an emergency communications professional, including two decades leading the county emergency communications operations. He was instrumental in Berks County becoming one of the first Public Safety Access Points in the state to incorporate 911 into its operations. Breneiser also served as president of Exeter EMS and was an EMT for many years. He also served as an Exeter Township Township Supervisor and a Boy Scout leader.
November 15, 2011
HARRISBURG, Nov. 15, 2011 — State Sen. Judy Schwank today issued the following statement on legislation that creates a Marcellus Shale impact fee (Senate Bill 1100), which passed the Senate today by a (29-20) vote:
“We have a responsibility to restore and protect our ground water and streams, but Senate Bill 1100 makes a meager attempt at best to do so. It fails to reasonably require the natural gas industry to make a realistic and reasonable contribution in fair exchange for the wealth it is extracting from our ground,” said Schwank, who voted against the measure. “In the epic struggle over whether we will have a ‘tax’ or a ‘local impact fee,’ environmental stewardship has become not much more than a sidebar.
“This issue does not just impact the Marcellus Shale region. It impacts every single Pennsylvanian,” Schwank said. “The fresh water, the soil, and the air belong to all of us.
“Natural gas drilling is booming in Pennsylvania and there is no doubt that it will have a lasting economic and environmental impact on Pennsylvania. It is important that we properly regulate the industry with careful and thoughtful measures that will benefit this commonwealth now and for generations to come. This legislation could have been an important opportunity to learn from the mistakes of the past to make ourselves stronger in the future. But I’m afraid we’ve missed the mark with this vote.”
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November 9, 2011
READING, Nov. 9, 2011—State Sen. Judy Schwank is seeking the public’s input on the recent storm that brought winter weather to Berks County and left hundreds of thousands of residents without power.
“While we couldn’t anticipate the scope of this pre-winter snowfall, it left many residents in the cold and dark for days. I believe the lagging response from our local utilities must be examined,” said Schwank, who also lost power for several days. “I am asking for constituents to share their stories with me so that I can take the right steps to ensure that we receive a better response from our local utilities in the future.”
The senator recently sent a letter urging the Public Utility Commission to review the response of the area’s utility companies to the Oct. 29 storm and she plans to follow up with PUC and the utilities to discuss this issue further.
“It would be helpful if residents who were affected could provide me with specific information about their utility’s response to any problems they experienced with their service during and after the storm,” Schwank said. “Their story will be used for the sole purpose of gaining an understanding of the storm’s impact on consumers.”
A submission form is available on the senator’s website at www.senatorschwank.com/outage. Residents may also submit their account in writing to State Sen. Judy Schwank, RE: Power Outage, Rockland Professional Center, 1940 N. 13th St., Suite 232, Reading, PA 19604.
Editor’s Note: Attached is a copy of the letter Sen. Schwank sent to the Public Utility Commission.
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November 1, 2011
HARRISBURG, Nov. 1, 2011 — State Sen. Judy Schwank said today’s Senate passage of a statewide ban on texting while driving sends a clear message to drivers: “Keep both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”
Senate Bill 314, which passed the Senate by a 45-5 vote, prohibits the operation of a moving vehicle while using a wireless communication device to send, read or write a text message.
This violation would be considered a primary offense, which means a law enforcement officer can pull over a driver for that offense alone, and would be punishable by a $50 fine.
“This legislation will protect all motorists from the careless drivers who engage in the dangerous act of texting while driving,” Schwank said. “Pennsylvania is now one step closer toward ensuring that drivers keep both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”
Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
“Texting while driving a vehicle completely impairs a driver’s awareness of the road and their surroundings,” Schwank said. “No message is worth endangering lives.”
The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.
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Pennsylvania’s New Texting Ban: Ten Things You Should Know
October 28, 2011
READING, Oct. 28, 2011— State Sen. Judy Schwank announced today that two Berks County townships will receive state grants to maintain their recycling programs.
Bern Township will receive a $14,211 grant, which is based on the 1,261.9 tons recycled for 2009 and the township’s population.
Colebrookdale Township will receive a $26,121 grant, which is based on the 1,286.4 tons recycled for 2009 and the township’s population.
“Residents and officials of both municipalities can be proud of the success of their local recycling programs,” Schwank said. “Their efforts are keeping materials out of landfills, preserving our natural resources, protecting our environment, and leveraging state funding to help make their recycling programs even more successful.”
The funding was administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Recycling Performance Grant Program, which provides incentives to help communities increase the amount of materials recovered through recycling and promote economic growth through job creation.
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October 26, 2011
Her proposed amendment to improve the legislation failed along party lines
HARRISBURG, Oct. 26, 2011 — Concerned that school vouchers legislation would hurt the public school students who would be left behind in its wake, state Sen. Judy Schwank today voted against Senate Bill 1.
The bill passed the Senate today by a (27-22) vote.
“This bill is not about school choice. In fact, our public schools will only suffer under this legislation,” Schwank said. “I’m extremely concerned that poorer school districts, which are already suffering from state budget cuts, will face further cuts if students leave for alternative education.
“Many of our public schools are making progress. They are succeeding despite difficult economic circumstances like budget cuts and poverty,” Schwank said. “Senate Bill 1 will only impede that progress. We must look out for all students, the majority of whom will not be impacted by this legislation.
“I believe that students deserve every opportunity to succeed. We can accomplish this in many ways, including some portions of Senate Bill 1,” she said. “However, the fundamental measures in this bill will have a long-lasting negative impact on our public schools. I could not support this measure today.”
The senator said she was concerned about the portion of the legislation that would require that all basic education funding and subsidies would leave with the students who transfer to another school through the voucher plan.
In response, Schwank offered an amendment that would have placed a limit on the financial loss that school districts would experience if students leave their public school for alternative education. The Senate opposed the amendment by a 19-30 vote.
“When we talk about providing the best opportunities for our school children, we must be realistic. School districts should be held accountable for their curriculum, but our public schools are also a necessary part of our society,” Schwank said. “We had an opportunity today to make sure that Senate Bill 1 was more fiscally responsible through this amendment and I’m disappointed that the Senate voted in opposition.”
Schwank said she supported aspects of the school voucher legislation; notably, the extension of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC), which provides financial assistance to working and middle class families seeking educational options for their children.
She voted in favor of two Democratic-sponsored amendments that called for further increases to the EITC plan in the legislation; however, those measures were defeated on the Senate floor today.
Senate Bill 1 now heads to the House for consideration.
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October 26, 2011
READING, Oct. 26, 2011 — A sewer project in Virginville, Richmond Township will receive significant state funding to relieve residential septic system issues, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, who was instrumental in ensuring that the project would receive appropriate financial support.
Richmond Township will receive a $1,095,351grant and a $631,849 low-interest loan through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). The funds will be used toward the construction of a conventional sewage system in the Virginville Area of Richmond Township.
Once completed, the project will eliminate an ongoing problem with malfunctioning septic systems in the community.
“The residents of Virginville have put up with these issues for too long, and a new sewage system will provide significant relief,” Schwank said. “I’m pleased that this project is receiving state support.”
Richmond Township previously received a $500,000 H2O grant to support this project through the efforts of the senator. This time, Schwank successfully urged PENNVEST to treat the Virginville Project as a stand-alone, start-up project.
“It was important that this sewer project receive its own consideration so it could receive the attention and the funding package that it deserved,” she said. “The state’s support of the project will help keep monthly service rates manageable for Virginville residents, many of whom are senior citizens with modest incomes.”
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October 20, 2011
Harrisburg, October 20, 2011 – Testimony before a joint legislative hearing today strongly supports the call for changing the authority and restrictions in Pennsylvania law relating to municipal government, state Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said after the hearing.
“It’s obvious that our current laws no longer give communities the tools they need to look after their well-being. In too many cases, we already are seeing towns and cities entering into slow death spirals,” said Schwank, a former Berks County commissioner and past-Chairperson of the State Planning Board.
Witnesses appearing before the panel on Thursday painted stark pictures of the fiscal problems facing communities across the state, including many that now or in the foreseeable future will be unable to provide basic services because of declining tax bases and increasing demands as their populations shrink and age.
“We have to turn this around and begin to seriously deal with these issues as a state. The problems are enormously complex, and some of the answers have the potential to be tremendously challenging politically,” she said. “If we don’t begin to act, everything else we do to encourage economic development and jobs across Pennsylvania will have unreasonably limited meaning and impact.
“It’s not enough, as one of the witnesses pointed out, to get troubled communities to the point where bills are paid. They still have to be places where people want to live.”
Schwank made her comments following the first of two scheduled joint hearings by the Senate and House committees on Local Government, the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee and the House Urban Affairs Committee into the effectiveness of the Municipalities Financial Recovery law, popularly known as Act 47 for financially-distressed communities.
Since Act 47 became law in 1987, more than two dozen communities including Harrisburg and Reading — a city which Senator Schwank represents — have sought its protection. Only six municipalities have completed recovery under Act 47; 11 municipalities remained under Act 47 for more than a decade.
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October 18, 2011
Day Care, Adult Care, Job Training, School-to-Work Transition, and Green Jobs are Targeted
HARRISBURG, October 18, 2011 – – Today members of the Senate Democratic caucus unveiled legislation to be introduced this week to supplement the “PA Works Now” job creation plan, which has become the centerpiece of their agenda for the fall session. Senate Democrats will continue to offer solutions to the problems that prevent Pennsylvanians from finding and maintaining jobs in hopes the dialogue in the Capitol will begin to center on this pressing issue.
[hdvideo id=14 ]
Senator Schwank on “Pa Works” Tax Incentive Proposal for Day Care unveiled at State Capitol news conference today. [audio:https://senatorschwank.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/pa-works-schwank-day-care-alternatives1.mp3|titles=pa-works-schwank-day-care-alternatives]
“We can’t drag our feet when it comes to this. Families are struggling, and with each day that goes by they lose hope in our ability to help them,” said Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh/Monroe/Northampton), Senate Democratic Policy chair. “We visited a number of communities across the state and gathered valuable – and in many cases very moving – feedback. This is the number one issue on people’s minds. We need to keep talking until we make it the number one priority on the minds of those serving in Harrisburg.”
The plan focuses on 6 key areas:
Tax credit incentives to encourage employer supported day care alternatives
This measure would provide tax incentives to small businesses that help employees cover the costs of child care and adult day care. Working families should not be constrained because they can’t find day care services. It’s not good for their quality of life. And it’s not helpful to our economy.
Sen. Judy Schwank is the prime sponsor of this legislation. “Many of us know all too well that day care is expensive, and many families have to weigh the cost of day care verses their weekly paycheck,” said Schwank (D-Berks). “For others, there is no choice. They have to work, and the only way they can work is if they have child care or adult day care and know their loved ones are safe while they earn a day’s pay.”
Improve School-to-Work Transition
Successful careers in today’s knowledge based economy require most students to pursue some post secondary training. However, many of these experiences do not require a four-year baccalaureate degree. Community colleges, technical colleges, apprenticeship programs, direct employer sponsored programs, and the military services all have important roles in providing these education and training experiences. Unfortunately, many students fail to receive the necessary career advice and training in the final years of their high school education to properly transition into these training and education opportunities following their high school graduation.
Boscola is the prime sponsor of legislation that would require every local school district to develop an individual education plan to ensure that every student’s high school experience envisions and prepares them for a career path. “We need to do everything in our power to get kids on the right track early. Many don’t know all of the options available to them until they have already pursued another path,” said Boscola. “In this economy there isn’t time for do-overs. This legislation would give them the tools and information they need to make these decisions which may ultimately impact their entire lives.”
Youth Summer Job Program
Summer employment programs can provide a valuable public service while giving youth valuable training and career experience. This measure would focus exclusively on youth summer employment opportunities at state parks and municipal recreational facilities throughout the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) would directly administer jobs created at state parks, while local governments could apply to DCNR to receive grants, not to exceed $2,500 per job, for work experiences at local recreational facilities. An estimated 10,000 jobs could be supported annually through a $25 million transfer from the Oil and Gas Fund.
Sen. Shirley Kitchen is introducing the legislation this week. “This is a win-win situation,” said Kitchen (D-Philadelphia). “Not only will youth learn valuable job skills and gain work experience, but our state parks and other recreational areas, which were hit particularly hard by last spring’s budget battle and the harsh cuts that resulted, will benefit too.”
PA Training Program for Marcellus Shale Drilling Operations
Marcellus Shale drilling has been a major economic boost for many areas throughout our state. Unfortunately, significant numbers of currently employed workers at these job sites continue to be people from outside of Pennsylvania. When we enact a drilling fee on Marcellus Shale operators later this fall, an annual set-aside of $5 million should fund specialized training programs, administered through local organized labor groups, to give Pennsylvanians the necessary skill sets to fill these jobs. A portion of these funds should be earmarked specifically to develop and staff a call center, with preference for the disabled to fill these jobs. The unemployment rate among the disabled is nearly 50 percent higher than for the rest of the workforce.
Sen. Christine Tartaglione is the prime sponsor of this measure. “My bill would set aside a portion of the revenue from a Marcellus Shale extraction tax to develop specialized training programs for jobs in the gas industry. The recent cuts to higher education have made college less likely for thousands of people. With a dedicated training program geared toward the various parts of the extraction, storage and transport of natural gas, we can put Pennsylvanians back to work,” said Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia). “While we push for specialized training for jobs in the gas industry, we will also push to make sure that this effort involves every Pennsylvanian who wants to work. My bill calls for development and staffing of a call center to connect willing workers with the right training program and for that call center to be staffed by people with disabilities.”
Incentives to Grow Women & Minority Owned Businesses
We are making a renewed push to encourage the growth of women, minority, or veteran-owned, or other disadvantaged small businesses by providing an array of incentives. Sen. LeAnna Washington’s Senate Bill 696, which was introduced as part of our original PA Works package, calls for a statewide bonding guarantee program, mentor-protégée support, a 10 percent reserve program for state contracts and other targets and incentives to increase employment opportunities for these businesses.
“Women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses all have bring something different to the table that you might not see every day in every business,” said Washington (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery). “Women have firsthand knowledge of some of the barriers to pursuing a career and the pull of other responsibilities. Minority and veteran business owners may be a bit more sensitive to the difficulties in finding work because of the hurdles and high unemployment statistics they face.”
Green Jobs Employment & Training Program
Sen. Kitchen’s Senate Bill 687, which was also introduced as part of our original PA Works package, creates the Green Work Force Training Program. The program would provide $5 million annually for each of the next three fiscal years to the Department of Labor and Industry to provide grants to vocational technical schools, community colleges, public or private higher education institutions, labor organizations, or privately licensed schools. The grants would be used to develop training programs for careers in emerging renewable energy or energy efficiency.
“If we are going to get out of this economic slump and compete in a national and global economy, a well-trained workforce is essential,” said Kitchen. “One of the areas that has great potential for our economic outlook is the green jobs sector. It’s an emerging industry that we must invest in if we want to move Pennsylvania forward.”
Dr. Thomas Rushton, the director of the Monroe Career & Technical Institute, also shared his firsthand experiences with school-to-work transition and gave input on how a program like the one introduced by Sen. Boscola would benefit the students he deals with in Monroe County.
PennEnvironment Director David Masur participated and shared information about the potential impact of Senate Bill 687 and the Green Workforce Training Program.
For more information on the PA Works Now program go to http://www.pasenate.com.
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October 13, 2011
Harrisburg, October 13, 2011 — An additional 285 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $681,127 dollars that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Preservation Board member.
According to Sen. Schwank, the following farms will be preserved:
Family Municipality Acres Preserved
Robert French Perry Twsp. 134.8
Norman Martin Richmond Twsp. 27.4
Paul and Anna Mae Martin Richmond Twsp. 47.3
Levi and Doris Zimmerman Tulpehocken Twsp. 75.3
Total: 284.8
“Agriculture is a significant economic driver in Berks County,” Schwank said. “Farmland conservation easements ensure that the land is protected so that we can continue to provide food and preserve our county’s number one industry.”
The Agricultural Land Preservation Board is intended to permanently preserve large clusters of viable agricultural lands by acquiring agricultural conservation easements (ACE).
An ACE prevents the development of the land for any purpose besides productive agriculture.
Statewide 4,208 farms totaling 455,207 acres have been preserved since the program’s inception. In Berks County 631 farms consisting of 64,000 acres have been preserved. Berks County has preserved more acreage of farmland than any other county in the state program.
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October 11, 2011
READING, Oct. 11, 2011— Students who suffered severe losses as a result of the recent flooding from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee may be entitled to state grant award reconsideration from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), according to state Sen. Judy Schwank.
“Many families were devastated by September’s flooding,” Schwank said. “As families with college students continue to recover, I encourage them to apply for this special reconsideration from PHEAA. It could provide families with significant financial relief from higher education costs.”
PHEAA gives special consideration to a student’s state grant application when it is determined that the family’s ability to finance educational costs has been reduced as a result of losses incurred due to flooding, as well as other disasters like fires or other unforeseeable circumstances.
A Casualty Loss Form is now available online at www.pheaa.org/casualty-loss. Individuals may also call 1-800-692-7392 for more information.
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October 6, 2011
READING, Oct. 6, 2011— State Sen. Judy Schwank this week welcomed Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Secretary Gary Alexander to Berks County to discuss the issues facing local social service agencies that have been affected by state budget cuts and the economy.
“Poverty is real in Berks County, whether it’s in our urban communities or our rural areas,” Schwank said. “Organizations and agencies are using every resource they have to help people move forward, but they too are feeling the squeeze of budget cuts and an unstable economy. I wanted the secretary to meet the people who are trying to help as many people as possible, even in tough times. It’s important that Secretary Alexander sees that DPW funds are going to good use.”
The daylong discussion commenced with a discussion with Modesto Fiume, president of Opportunity House, a multi-service organization that assists low-income and at-risk individuals and families in Reading, and Kathy Greiss, president of Friend Inc. Community Services, a multi-service social agency based in Kutztown.
While both organizations serve different populations, they share the goal of providing individuals and families the tools they need to become self sufficient. They are also struggling with budgetary constraints.
“It’s amazing that Opportunity House and Friend Inc. are still working so diligently to help others, despite lean times,” Schwank said. “The needs of low-income urban residents versus low-income rural residents are similar, but their access to services is often quite different so I’m thankful for these organizations and their dedication to our urban and rural residents.”
Schwank and Alexander then met representatives from the county’s Department of Children and Youth and Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation to discuss their needs and concerns. State Sen. Dave Argall, who also represents a portion of Berks County, attended as well.
The departments expressed their frustration with DPW’s regulations and the lack of accountability by health care providers. They discussed ways to improve the interaction between the state and county agencies.
“Our county agencies are frustrated. They want to provide a safety net for those who need it most but they know they are working with limited funds,” Schwank said. “I’m pleased that the secretary could meet with the folks who are on the front lines serving vulnerable citizens because I believe it will help him make improvements to DPW.”
Alexander agreed that the system is broken and assured the group that he was working to root out fraud and waste while simplifying the massive department.
Finally, Schwank, Argall and Alexander toured Hamburg State Center, an intermediate care facility located in Hamburg that provides an array of services to 115 children and adults with varying special needs.
Alexander spoke to several parents whose now-adult children call the center home. They implored the secretary to keep Hamburg State Center open because their children receive quality medical and social services in a loving environment.
“We heard first hand from the center’s biggest advocates, the parents,” Schwank said. “Their experiences gave both the secretary and me a personal glimpse of the individuals who are benefitting from state-run facilities. To quote one of the parents, ‘They’re not institutions. They’re home.’ We must do everything we can to ensure that we don’t take the homes of our most vulnerable citizens away.”
The tour with Alexander is just one of the ways the senator is exploring the county’s needs.
“Secretary Alexander and I had an extremely productive meeting I’m encouraged that he was willing to come to Berks County and meet with local agencies and organizations,” Schwank said. “This is a good start toward moving our area forward but there’s much more work to be done. We must focus on ensuring that our agencies are properly funded and we must do more to promote job growth.
“I will continue to meet with the various communities and gain a better focus on how I can best represent the 11th Senatorial District,” she said.
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October 6, 2011
READING, Oct. 6, 2011 — A local direct mail company has been approved for significant state funds to expand its facility in Cumru Township, state Sen. Judy Schwank announced today.
Targeted Solutions, LLC, d/b/a Mail, which provides printing and direct mail services for independent pizza shops, will receive a $516,927 loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA).
The funding will be used toward the acquisition of an existing 24,000 square-foot building at the company’s location at 4125 New Holland Road in Mohnton.
The project will sustain eight jobs and create an additional 17 jobs over the next three years.
“This loan will ultimately help Targeted Solutions, as well as the many local pizza shops the company caters to,” Schwank said. “Small businesses like Targeted Solutions, and even our corner takeout restaurants, play an economic important role in Berks County, so I’m pleased that the state is investing in our area.”
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27 de septiembre de 2011
27 de septiembre 2011, Harrisburg - El senador estatal Judy Schwank (D-Berks) anunció hoy que el condado de Berks recibirá casi $ 27,000 en subvenciones estatales para ayudar con los esfuerzos de reciclaje y gestión de residuos.
"El reciclaje y la gestión de residuos son dos formas eficaces de combatir la contaminación en Pensilvania", declaró Schwank. "El Departamento de Protección Medioambiental lo reconoce y trabaja diligentemente para proporcionar a las comunidades locales los recursos que necesitan para combatir la contaminación. Estos fondos contribuirán en gran medida a ayudar a estas comunidades con sus programas de reciclaje y gestión de residuos."
La Autoridad de Residuos Sólidos del Condado de Berks recibirá una subvención de 22.861 dólares para reembolsar el 50% de los costes de desarrollo y funcionamiento de una recogida de residuos domésticos peligrosos (HHW) en el Edificio Municipal del Municipio de Exeter, que se celebró el 26 de abril. La Autoridad también recibió una subvención de 2.087 dólares para reembolsar el 50% de los costes de desarrollo y funcionamiento de un evento de recogida de HHW para productos farmacéuticos, que se celebró el 16 de abril.
Estos fondos de subvención se distribuyeron a través del Programa de Subvenciones para la Prevención de la Contaminación en Pequeñas Empresas y Hogares del DEP de Pensilvania.
También recibió una subvención el municipio de Fleetwood. El municipio recibió 2.026 dólares en función de las 187,2 toneladas recicladas en 2009 y de su población. La financiación, proporcionada a través del Programa de Subvenciones para el Reciclaje del DEP, se concedió para ayudar al municipio a aumentar la cantidad de materiales reciclados.
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September 26, 2011
HARRISBURG – September 26 – State Senate Democrats today unveiled their revised job creation plan, called “PA Works Now,” which they claim would create 80,000 new jobs and leverage billions in private investment to generate jobs and economic activity.
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State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said job creation is the number one priority for this fall’s session of the General Assembly. He added that the PA Works Now package does not require new broad based taxes, is fully paid for and does not put additional strain on the state General Fund.
“PA Works Now features a new investment vehicle called the Pennsylvania Investment Bank that will quickly pump $1.2 billion into the economy and create jobs,” Costa said. “Our goal is to jump start the economy and create new jobs in the shortest possible time.
“Job creation is the most important issue lawmakers must tackle this fall.”
The Democrats’ plan includes renewed investment in job-producing programs and public works such as water and sewer projects as well as money for new business investments. The plan also provides a new round of capital infusion for the state Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund and would establish Pennsylvania’s version of the successful “Georgia Works” on-the-job training program.
The Pennsylvania Investment Bank would target more than $1.2 billion for water and sewer system reconstruction, new business investment and other public works. The bank would capture funds generated from existing borrowing capacity. The bank would use $500 million in Commonwealth Finance Authority dollars plus a half-billion from PENNVEST (Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority).
The investment bank would also utilize $80 million in funds from a proposed Marcellus Shale tax or fee along with surplus state revenues. Democrats estimate that these sources would generate $180 million.
“There are so many workers who are looking for jobs and even more who are worried about what is next for them in this very difficult economic recovery,” Costa said. “Our comprehensive PA Works Now plan addresses job creation and presents an opportunity to move our economy forward.”
Democrats said action is needed now on their job creation plan because of the recent increase in unemployment. Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate spiked by nearly a half percent from July to August – rising to 8.2 percent. Since May, the number of unemployed Pennsylvanians grew by 45,000.
Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) decried the alarming increase in unemployment and the inaction of both the Corbett Administration and Republican lawmakers who control floor action in both the state House and Senate.
“The Corbett Administration has failed to respond to the hardship in the labor market in any discernable way,” Hughes said. “The administration is either tone-deaf to the plight of the unemployed or focusing on political wedge issues that do not create jobs. They’ve produced no new jobs plan.
“The priorities of the administration are skewed,” Hughes said.
Hughes criticized Corbett and Republicans for focusing on changing the apportionment of electoral votes, English-only legislation and voter ID legislation. These issues interest only “politicos on the extreme political fringe of the Republican Party. These proposals do nothing to help our economy grow,” Hughes said.
“We are stuck debating issues that appeal to the political extreme at the expense of working families,” Hughes said. “Working men and women need jobs. They don’t need political talk. That is a sham and it’s a shame.”
Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said the state has lost an opportunity to reverse negative economic trends. She noted that the recent business downturn has had a disproportionate impact on educators, women, minorities and Pennsylvania’s youth.
According to Schwank, the Corbett budget cuts have put several thousand educators or school staff out of work. The Berks county lawmaker said Senate Democrats will soon flesh-out a package of bills that would specifically help women, minorities and young people find jobs.
“Failing to take action now condemns those who have a difficulty getting jobs in a robust economy – women, minorities and our youth – to even deeper despair when the labor market contracts,” Schwank said. “Doing nothing on job creation is not an answer and it’s not fair. That’s why we need to work on a jobs plan like PA Works Now.”
Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe), who previously served as secretary of the state Department of Community and Economic Development, said PA Works Now would inject much-needed capital into business investment and job creation programs. He said doing so is essential toward generating economic activity and employment opportunities now.
“There is no question that our recovery from the recession is soft,” Blake said. “The state has a responsibility to incent private sector investment for job growth.”
Costa, Hughes, Schwank and Blake were joined by a host of Senate Democratic colleagues at the Capitol news conference.
Senate Democrats unveiled a previous version of PA Works earlier this year.
Senators who attended today’s news conference included Democratic Whip Anthony H. Williams (D-Philadelphia), Caucus Chairman Richard Kasunic (D-Fayette/Somerset), Caucus Secretary Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), Caucus Administrator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) and state Sens. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester), Daylin Leach (D-Delaware/Montgomery), John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Monroe/Carbon) and Tim Solobay (D-Washington/Greene).
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24 de agosto de 2011
READING, August 24, 2011 – – Local and state agriculture professionals today traded ideas and shared concerns and goals regarding food safety and agriculture profitability in Pennsylvania with the state Senate Democratic Policy Committee at a roundtable discussion at Penn State University, Berks Campus.
“Protecting Pennsylvania’s food supply is of paramount importance, not only to maintaining the profitability of the state’s agricultural industry, but to the health and safety of Pennsylvania citizens,” said committee Chair Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh). “I am happy to have had this opportunity to meet with top agriculture and food safety experts in the state to discuss ways to keep Pennsylvania consumers safe from food-borne illnesses that threaten the health of the public and the economic development of the state.”
The discussion centered on how to keep food safe and Pennsylvania agriculture profitable. Topics included legislation regarding food safety regulations, particularly how they pertain to fresh produce, farmers, and farmers markets; a discussion on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP); a discussion on food-borne illnesses and the most common causes of the illnesses; and information on how Pennsylvania producers are keeping food safe, as well as the challenges the industry faces regarding food safety.
“We have all read about the series of recent incidents regarding food-borne illnesses throughout the nation and here in Pennsylvania. As both a lawmaker and a consumer, this greatly concerns me,” said state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks). “It was very beneficial for my Senate colleagues to join me here in Berks County to discuss this critical issue. We must understand how these illnesses spread and eliminate that problem from the food supply chain. It is important to our citizens and to the economic welfare of the state, as agriculture is our leading industry.”
Schwank, who serves as Democratic Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, requested this meeting in an effort to examine current policy on food safety and to discuss concerns the industry and the public have regarding the issue.
The informal roundtable discussion featured experts and educators from agriculture, academia, health and the food industry.
“This roundtable discussion is a step in ensuring that our current food safety laws are working to keeping consumers safe,” said Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny). “Senate Democrats are dedicated to protecting the health and welfare of our citizens and we thank the panelists for their expert input on this issue. As we move forward in this process, it is our hope that we can rely on these experts to help guide future policy on this matter.”
State Sen. John Wozniak (D-Cambria/Somerset/Centre/Clinton/Clearfield) was also on hand at the event.
“It is important that we all work together — the legislature, the industry, and the public — to protect against food-borne illnesses,” Wozniak said. “This discussion was a great opportunity to begin open dialogue on food safety issues.”
Panelists included Dr. Lydia Johnson, director of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services; James Weaver, GAP-certified farmer at Meadow View Farm; Dr. Hassan Gourama, associate professor of food science at PSU Berks; Gary Zanecosky, director of quality at Giorgio Foods, Inc.; Brian Snyder, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture; and Brent Ennis, Southeast district executive director of the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Johnson stated that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is committed to protecting Pennsylvania citizens from food-borne illness.
“It is essential that we protect the citizens of Pennsylvania,” Johnson said. “Because contamination can happen at every step in the food process, we must have consistent regulations.”
Weaver expressed concerns that cuts in funding make it difficult for farmers to comply with regulation requirements.
“Cuts in funding hurt farmers,” Weaver said. “It makes the process progressively harder as time goes on. I fear there will come a point in time where it is too hard for farmers.”
Gourama discussed the importance of researching food-borne illnesses and their causes, but also stressed the importance of funding this research.
“We must improve detection methods to determine where contamination is coming from,” Gourama said. “Researching this issue takes money, but it is harder to get funding due to the economy.”
Zanecosky stressed the importance of collaboration between the agricultural industry and academia.
“In order to stay in this business, you have to be on the cutting edge,” Zanecosky said. “Academia is the cutting edge.”
Snyder stressed the need for assistance from the legislature to keep food safe and agriculture profitable.
“There are four things that the legislature can do to assist farmers,” Snyder said. “Provide access to capital and quality insurance; clear, flexible and consistent regulations; tax code adjustments, and public support.”
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August 16, 2011
Harrisburg, August 16, 2011 – State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Democratic chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs, has asked federal regulators for an explanation of the delay in the recent recall of contaminated turkey products until consumers were sickened and died.
“It is dumbfounding to learn that no action was taken until this month, when federal officials knew at least as early as March that turkey processed at the plant in question repeatedly tested positive for Salmonella,” said Schwank (D-Berks). “This is a common, antibiotic-resistant strain that we know poses unacceptable risks of sickness and death. It is just mind-boggling that federal regulators cannot or will not step in before what we know can happen actually does.”
Schwank, who has a lengthy background as a county agricultural agent and educator, said she has asked for an explanation of the events, which reports say claimed at least one life, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the federal Food and Drug Administration.
“It’s not clear yet why this happened, or what role states can play to prevent a repetition, but with Agriculture being the largest industry in Pennsylvania, we need to have answers to those questions for consumers and farmers alike,” Schwank said. “There are lives and livelihoods at stake here. This isn’t some academic game. It’s real life. If there is a role for states, we want to make sure we meet it.”
Schwank said she also is reaching out to Pennsylvania members in Congress to assist her in order to make sure the matter will not be ignored by the agencies.
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August 15, 2011
HARRISBURG, Aug. 15, 2011 – Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) is calling for Senate Committee action on her legislation that would reduce the size of the Pennsylvania legislature by more than one third, from 253 to 163 members.
Schwank, the author of Senate Bill 1079, said change is necessary not just to reduce costs, but so that the legislature can respond more quickly and effectively to allow Pennsylvania to compete for business and growth.
“Our legislative framework is past its expiration date,” Schwank said. “A smaller legislature will cut costs and be able to respond more effectively in a world that moves at the speed of light instead of the speed of horses.”
Schwank noted that besides technological changes that have replaced physical presence as the essential means of communication, the speed at which developing events must be responded to has been slashed from weeks and months to hours and minutes.
Schwank is reaching out to other senators who have introduced similar legislation to work together to get a bill before the full Senate, and has asked the chair of the Senate Committee on State Government, where the bills have been referred for review, to schedule a committee vote on them.
“These proposals have been mostly ignored for 20 years, but the Senate held a hearing on them within the last half-dozen years, and the House recently did likewise, “ she noted. “The winds of change are picking up, and Pennsylvanians deserve the opportunity to exercise their right to decide what the General Assembly should look like.”
August 10, 2011
Reading, August 10, 2011 – State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) joined with Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes (D- Phila. Montgomery) and local officials to discuss the recently passed 2011-2012 state budget and other economic issues affecting Pennsylvania and the region.
“Throughout the country and right here in Pennsylvania, we are facing serious economic challenges that will require us all to think innovatively on how to address these challenges,” Senator Schwank said. “I am glad that we had this opportunity to sit down with local officials to discuss their budgetary needs and how they can be addressed in a cost-effective, practical manner.
“There is no doubt that the economic downturn has had a great impact on this region, but if we work together to face the realities of the recently passed state budget, I am sure that we can find a way to weather this fiscal storm.”
Senator Hughes provided a detailed overview of the state budget and its impact on local governments, school districts and citizens. The senators also provided information on economic development resources and other programs available to local municipalities to assist them during the difficult economic times.
“The challenges facing the people of Pennsylvania and the communities they reside in will be significant as a result of Governor Corbett’s budget,” said Hughes. “It is imperative that my colleagues and I in the legislature work closely with local officials to let them know what resources are currently available to them, as well as find new ways in moving these communities forward during fiscally challenging times.”
Schwank added that it will take compromise to get through the tough economic times facing the state.
“We must work together to find creative ways to support vital programs that our citizens depend upon,” Schwank said. “Working together will be imperative in these upcoming months. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature, as well as local leaders and officials to address these fiscal issues.”
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