Latest News
Four Senate Democratic Lawmakers Unveil Legislative Package to Improve Foster Care and Child Protection Systems
Harrisburg, PA – January 29, 2025 − Members of the Democratic Caucus have introduced a package of bills designed to tackle systemic issues within Pennsylvania’s foster care and child protection systems. The proposed legislation prioritizes the well-being of children,...
Pennsylvania’s Women’s Health Caucus and the Black Maternal Health Caucus join together to lay out priorities for Pennsylvania’s 2025-2026 legislative session
Harrisburg, PA − January 27, 2024 – Today, the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus (WHC) and the Black Maternal Health Caucus (BMHC) released a joint statement after holding a press conference to lay out their legislative priorities for the 2025-2026 session. Watch the...
Senator Schwank Speaks at Women’s Health Caucus Kick-Off Event
Sen. Schwank Interviews Sec. Russell Redding at 2025 PA Farm Show
Senator Schwank is Sworn in to Serve the 11th Senatorial District
Senator Schwank Applauds CRIZ Designation for the City of Reading
Reading, PA — December 30, 2024 — Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that the City of Reading’s application for a City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ) was accepted. The CRIZ program, established by Act 52 of 2013, is administered by the Pennsylvania...
Senator Schwank Issues Statement on NTSB’s Hearing on the R.M. Palmer Explosion
Reading — December 11, 2024 — Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks, issued the following statement in response to the National Transportation Safety Board’s hearing on the investigation into the cause of the R.M. Palmer natural gas explosion that occurred on March 24, 2023:...
Sen. Lindsey Williams and Sen. Judy Schwank Reintroduce Universal School Meals Legislation
Harrisburg, Pa. − December 5, 2024 – Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) and Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) joined the School Nutrition Association of Pennsylvania (SNAPA) today for a Day of Action in support of the Senators’ Universal School Meals legislation....
Schwank Retains Senate Democratic Caucus Leadership Role for 25-26 Legislative Session
Harrisburg, PA — November 14, 2024 — Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) announced today that she has retained her role as the Caucus Administrator for the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus for the upcoming 2025-26 legislative session. Schwank, who has held the Caucus...
Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus Elects Leadership Team for 2025-26 Legislative Session
HARRISBURG, PA – November 13, 2024 – The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today elected its leadership team for the 2025-26 legislative session. The Senate Democratic Caucus also proudly welcomes two new members: Senator Patty Kim representing Senate District 15,...
‘An Investment in the Future of Our Town’: Schwank Joins Stakeholders for Strand Theatre Rehabilitation Update
Reading, PA — November 8, 2024 — Earlier this week, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) joined Kutztown Community Partnership, the Greater Berks Development Fund, and DESCCO Design and Construction, Inc. to provide the Kutztown community with an update on the rehabilitation...
Kutztown Strand Theatre Update :: November 6, 2024
Senator Schwank Applauds $13.75 Million in Capital Redevelopment Funding for Berks County Projects
Reading, PA — November 1, 2024 — Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) applauded the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant funding announced today by Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget. RACP is a state grant program administered by the...
Schwank and Guzman Secure $1 Million for Senior Housing Project in Reading
Reading, PA — October 22, 2024 — Today, Sen. Judy Schwank and Rep. Manuel Guzman Jr. announced a $1 million Local Share Account-Statewide grant to support the Cornerstone at 6th and Chestnut project. The project will redevelop a blighted industrial building at S. 6th...
Senator Schwank Secures $6 Million in Grants for Berks County Projects
Reading, PA — October 22, 2024 — Today, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) announced that 16 projects in the 11th Senatorial District have received a total of $6 million in Local Share Account-Statewide grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic...
Senator Schwank Applauds $3.77 Million in Public School Facility Grant Funding
Reading, PA — October 22, 2024 — Today, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) announced that three school districts in the 11th Senatorial District received a total of $3,775,000 in Public Schools Facility Improvement Grant Program funding from the Pennsylvania Department of...
PA First Lady, Secretary of Education join Lawmakers in Harrisburg to Celebrate Funding for Period Products in Public Schools and Advocate for Menstrual Equity Act
Harrisburg, PA − October 21, 2024 – Pennsylvania's First Lady Lori Shapiro, Senators, Representatives, Secretary of Education Dr. Mumin, and advocates gathered for a press event to celebrate the $3 million invested through the last state budget to...
Schwank Applauds Facility Improvement Grant Funding for Connections Work
Reading, PA − October 10, 2024 − The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority today announced $722,852 in COVID-19 ARPA PA Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program grant funding for...
Senate Dems Highlight Need for Election Reforms at Capitol Hearing
HARRISBURG, September 26, 2024 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined Senator Amanda Cappelletti (D-Montgomery) and Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) to host a public hearing on access...
Mail-In & Absentee Ballot Access
Schwank Applauds Criminal Justice Funding Awarded to the 11th District
Reading, PA — September 11, 2024 — The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency today awarded $2,263,680 in criminal justice and crime prevention grant funding to six entities in Berks County. “Today’s awards acknowledge the tremendous services these...
Sen. Schwank and Rep. Rozzi Announce $7.8 Million Grant for Antietam School District
Reading — September 9, 2024 — Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-Berks) today announced $7.8 million in grant funding for the Antietam School District for environmental repairs. The funding comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Public...
Sen. Schwank Celebrates $7.9M to Create Safer Facilities for Students and Educators
Schwank Applauds Major State Investment in Reading Area Community College Capitol Project
READING, Pa. — August 27, 2024 — The Pennsylvania Department of Education today announced $6.5 million in funding for improvements to the Student Union Building at Reading Area Community College. The funding comes alongside substantial increases in higher education...
Senator Amanda Cappelletti Hosts Roundtable on Women’s Health and Pennsylvania State Budget
Upper Merion, PA – August 23, 2024 – Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-17) led a roundtable discussion, focusing on the intersection of women’s health and the Pennsylvania state budget. The event gathered key stakeholders, including state legislators, healthcare...
CG Broadcasting LLC Receives $1.525 Million in Transportation Infrastructure Grant Funding
Reading, Pa. — Aug. 19, 2024 — Today, PennDOT announced $1,525,000 in Multimodal Transportation Fund grant funding for CG Broadcasting LLC to support a major redevelopment project in Spring Township. The funding will support a series of transportation infrastructure...
Sen. Schwank Education Funding Remarks
Senator Schwank and Secretary Bogen WIC Roundtable
Senator Schwank’s Remarks From The Let Dreamers Teach Celebration
Let Dreamers Teach Celebration
Schwank and Rep. Cepeda-Freytiz’s Non-U.S. Citizen Teacher Certification Bill Approved as Part of the School Code
Reading, PA — July 16, 2024 — Last week, as a part of the state budget, the Pennsylvania General Assembly approved Senate Bill 700, the School Code bill for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The bill contains language sponsored by Sen. Judy Schwank and Rep. Johanny...
Senator Judy Schwank Applauds Child Care Tax Credit and Economic Development Tools Included in State Budget
Reading — July 12, 2024 — Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) touted the budget passed by the General Assembly for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, which includes an employer child care contribution tax credit and key investments in economic development programs. Senate Bill...
Senator Judy Schwank Secures $250,000 for Berks County Mobile Shower Initiative
Reading — July 8, 2024 — Today, Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) announced $250,000 in grant funding from the Department of Community and Economic Development for a mobile shower unit for the Berks Coalition to End Homelessness. BCEH is the nonprofit responsible for c,...