Latest News
Legislation to Protect Construction Zone Workers Detailed
Harrisburg – May 12, 2015 – After a recent series of accidents in construction zones, a bipartisan group of senators and state officials detailed legislation today that’s designed to protect workers in the zones. Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) was...
Bipartisan House-Senate caucus unveils Pa. Agenda for Women’s Health
HARRISBURG, May 11 – Members of the legislature's Women’s Health Caucus today unveiled their "Pennsylvania Agenda for Women's Health" for the new session at a Capitol news conference. The caucus is co-chaired by Reps. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, and Frank Farry,...
Senator Schwank Voices Her Support for Increasing the Minimum Wage
Pennsylvania Report May 2015 :: State Budget
Senator Schwank Hosts All About You Youth Expo
Gather with friends and family members while getting important information that will help you now and in your future! Join us Thursday, May 7th from 5:30-7:30 PM at Reading High School’s Main Café. Come and learn about: How to obtain a driver’s license Recreational...
State Senate Hearing in Reading Focuses on Struggles of ex-offenders Seeking Work
Reading – April 28, 2015 – At the request of state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a roundtable discussion on employment challenges facing people with criminal records. “While acknowledging that reasonable restrictions...
Sen. Schwank to Host Senate Discussion in Reading on Employment Challenges for People with Criminal Records
At the request of state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks), the state Senate Democratic Policy Committee is coming to Reading to hold a roundtable discussion on employment challenges facing people with criminal records. The meeting will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday,...
Sens. Schwank, Rafferty Announce Pivotal $5.3M State Investment for Geigertown
HARRISBURG, April 22, 2015 – Residents of a southeastern Berks County community will enjoy better drinking water following the completion of a sanitary sewer project that today was awarded a $5.3 million investment from the commonwealth. State Sens. Judy Schwank...
$84.6M State Investment to Help Reading Better Protect Environment, Create Jobs, Sen. Schwank, Reps. Caltagirone, Rozzi Declare
HARRISBURG, April 22, 2015 – The City of Reading will get a much needed boost in its ongoing efforts to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant, meet the terms of a federal order, and protect the quality of the Schuylkill River with the approval today of an $84.6...
With More Than $9M Awarded in 2014-15, Sen. Schwank Says College Students Should Act to Get PHEAA Grant Before May 1 Deadline
HARRISBURG, April 17, 2015 – With the May 1 deadline quickly approaching, state Sen. Judy Schwank today reminded Berks County students who are headed to college or are renewing their application to apply soon for a state grant. During the 2014-’15 academic year, the...
Sen. Schwank: 5 New Farms Added to PA’s Farmland Preservation Program
HARRISBURG, April 16, 2015 – Berks County’s reputation as a leader in farmland preservation grew by another 406 acres today when the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board added five farms to the historic program. The preservation board, of which Sen. Judy...
College Campuses Closer to Being Safer as Schwank’s Bill Advances
HARRISBURG, April 14, 2015 – A legislative proposal by Sen. Judy Schwank dealing with sexual assault on college campuses in Pennsylvania took a positive step forward today. Schwank’s “PA Safe Campuses Act” received unanimous approval from the Senate Judiciary...
Pennsylvania Report April 2015 :: 2015-16 State Budget
Deadline for Energy Assistance Grants Extended to May, Sen. Schwank Says
HARRISBURG, April 1, 2015 – Berks Countians who need help paying their heating bills or covering emergency repairs will have another month to apply for Pennsylvania’s federally funded LIHEAP program, Sen. Judy Schwank said today. The deadline to apply has been moved...
Schwank to Host Town Hall in Centerport
Public Utility Commission to talk electric choice READING, March 31, 2015 – Residents of Centerport and northern Berks County will have the opportunity at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 2, to learn more about electric choice and share their thoughts and concerns on other...
Community Leaders to Offer Expert Testimony During Schwank’s Model Senate Committee Hearings
HARRISBURG, March 26, 2015 – Sen. Judy Schwank will give students from her district a first-hand glimpse of life as a state lawmaker on Friday, March 27, at Albright College during the second session of her 2nd annual Berks County Model Senate. The session will...
Schwank Receives BCTC’s Award for ‘Commitment to Career & Technical Education’
OLEY, March 25, 2015 – A Berks County school devoted to career and technical education tonight recognized state Sen. Judy Schwank as the recipient of its “Friend of Career and Technical Education Award.” “You join a list of distinguished individuals from our community...
Sens. Schwank, Hughes to Propose Expansion of New ‘Revenge Porn’ Law
HARRISBURG, March 19, 2015 – To better protect Pennsylvanians from the unsolicited and embarrassing publication of their private, intimate pictures, state Sens. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) said today they will introduce a proposal...
Schwank Named to Panel for Equal Justice, Fairness
HARRISBURG, March 13, 2015 – Underscoring her leadership and reputation as someone who fights for families, women and the less fortunate, Sen. Judy Schwank has been appointed to serve on a commission that’s charged with making sure fairness and equal justice are...
Schwank to Join Medical Cannabis, Industrial Hemp Town Hall
READING, March 10, 2015 – Sen. Judy Schwank will join Lt. Gov. Mike Stack, Sen. Mike Folmer and others at 6:30 p.m., tomorrow, Wednesday, during a town hall meeting dealing with proposals to allow medical cannabis and industrial hemp in Pennsylvania. Sen. Schwank is...
Schwank, DMVA Remind Desert Shield/Storm Vets of Time to Apply for Unique Bonus
HARRISBURG, March 10, 2015 – In conjunction with the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, state Sen. Judy Schwank is reminding Pennsylvania veterans that the time is now to apply for special one-time payments in honor of their service during Persian Gulf...
Senator Schwank Reacts to PA State Budget
Hard Work, Sincere Thought Required for Gov. Wolf’s Budget Proposal, Schwank Says
HARRISBURG, March 3, 2015 – State Sen. Judy Schwank issued the following statement today after listening to Gov. Tom Wolf present his first budget proposal to a joint session of the General Assembly: “Gov. Wolf has presented an assertive and wide ranging budget that...
Pension Reform Review Commission Press Conference
With Billions at Stake, Schwank Unveils Bill to Properly Address Pension Crisis
READING, Feb. 26, 2015 – Frustrated by inadequate proposals to address Pennsylvania’s multi-billion dollar public and municipal pension problems, Sen. Judy Schwank today said she has formally introduced her bill to create an expert panel that would devise the best...
Schwank Press Conference Thursday to Unveil Pension Review Commission Bill
HARRISBURG, Feb. 25, 2015 – State Sen. Judy Schwank and advocates will hold a press conference at 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26, in the senator’s district office, to announce the introduction of her bill to best address Pennsylvania’s pension crisis. The combined unfunded...
Industrial Hemp Bill Formally Introduced by Sens. Schwank, Folmer
READING, Feb. 12, 2015 – Pennsylvania farmers would be able to grow a new cash crop and participate in a wide range of manufacturing opportunities if a bill that Sens. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) formally introduced today. Senate Bill 50 would...
250 New Acres Added to Farmland Preservation Program, Schwank Says
HARRISBURG, Feb. 12, 2015 – Add another 250 acres of Berks County land to Pennsylvania’s farmland preservation program. The three tracts, valued at nearly $625,000, were approved for inclusion in the record-setting operation today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land...
Free Help for Families Struggling to Navigate College Student Aid, FAFSA
READING, Feb. 12, 2015 – Berks Countians looking for help in paying college tuition can get free guidance and tips this Saturday, Feb. 14, during a FAFSA Preparation Seminar in Sen. Judy Schwank’s district office. “While improvements have been made to the online Free...
Schwank Appointed to Serve on PASSHE Board of Governors
Improved accessibility, expanding lifelong learning opportunities goals of service HARRISBURG, Jan. 30, 2015 – Named as one of the newest members of the organization that governs Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities, Sen. Judy Schwank today said she intends to...
Schwank Urges Lawmakers to Finally Adopt Medical Cannabis Bill
HARRISBURG, Jan. 27, 2015 – To better help desperate moms and dads who are seeking relief for children who suffer from countless seizures and to help many other Pennsylvanians who need relief from chronic illnesses, Sen. Judy Schwank today urged fellow lawmakers to...
Schwank Outlines Committee Assignments for 2015-2016 Session
READING, Jan. 15, 2015 – Berks County’s agriculture industry will continue to have a front-row seat in Harrisburg as state Sen. Judy Schwank will carry on as the Democratic chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. “We are protecting a record number...
Pension Reform the Right Way: Schwank Introduces Bill to Form Commission
Panel would finally employ PA’s arsenal of experts READING, Jan. 13, 2015 – Faced with a growing multi-billion dollar pension deficit and no good proposal to solve the problem, state Sen. Judy Schwank today said she will introduce a bill that would direct a new...