Latest News

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...

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...

Schwank, Folmer to Discuss How Industrial Hemp Bill Would Help Ag

HARRISBURG, Jan. 8, 2015 – To help Pennsylvania farmers tap into the multi-million dollar hemp industry, state Sens. Judy Schwank (D-11) and Mike Folmer (R-48) will hold a media briefing at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show to talk about...

Sen. Schwank to Host 2nd Annual Elected Municipal Officials’ Meeting

READING, Dec. 2, 2014 – Sen. Judy Schwank will hold her second annual “Elected Municipal Officials’ Meeting” at 7:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, at Wyomissing Family Restaurant. This event gives local leaders with the opportunity to obtain information that impacts their...

Winter is Around the Corner, so is LIHEAP, Sen. Schwank Says

READING, Oct. 27, 2014 – With almanacs and woolly bear caterpillars predicting a tough winter and others predicting a mild season, state Sen. Judy Schwank today said the one sure thing about the approaching season is LIHEAP will be there to help those who need it....

With Eye on Reading, Schwank Votes to Reform PA’s Act 47 Law

READING, Sept. 24, 2014 – Representing one of Pennsylvania’s 20 communities that are financially distressed, state Sen. Judy Schwank has voted to change the law that governs the commonwealth’s municipal recovery program. Schwank’s vote Wednesday helped to send the Act...

Schwank Comments on Panel’s Adoption of Property Tax Reform

HARRISBURG, Sept. 16, 2014 – Sen. Judy Schwank issued the following statement following the Senate Finance Committee’s 6-5 approval of Senate Bill 76, which would reform the way schools generate revenue from property owners: “Although it was a narrow vote, it was a...

Schwank Announces Environmental Grant for Leesport Borough Authority

READING, Sept. 9, 2014 – Sen. Judy Schwank today said Leesport residents will benefit from a new $100,000 state grant that will help the Berks County community pay for a sewer replacement project. Commonwealth Financing Authority approved the “Small Water and Sewer...

Schwank, Caltagirone Announce Funding

READING, Sept. 9, 2014 - - The Commonwealth Financing Authority today approved a state Multimodal Transportation Fund grant in the amount of $1 million to support a road improvement and bridge replacement along Saint Bernardine Street in Angelica Park in the City of...

Sen. Schwank Works on ‘Heroin Crisis’ During RACC Public Hearing

READING, July 22, 2014 – Working to stem the tide of heroin overdoses and deaths in Berks County and throughout the state, Sen. Judy Schwank joined other elected and health officials today to talk about the “Heroin Crisis Facing Pennsylvania.” The forum, held at the...