Press Releases
Schwank Bill on POW-MIA Flag Approved by Senate
Harrisburg, October 25, 2017 Legislation sponsored by Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) that would require the POW-MIA flag to be flown whenever the American and state flags are flown on state grounds was approved by the Senate today. Senate Bill 882, which Schwank...
Schwank Hosting Financial Aid Seminar
Reading, September 26, 2017 – Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency are holding a College Financial Aid Awareness Seminar at 7 p.m. on Oct. 5 at the Muhlenberg Township Building to inform high school juniors and seniors...
Schwank Bill on POW-MIA Flag Approved by Senate State Government Committee
Reading, September 21, 2017 − Legislation sponsored by Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) that would require the POW-MIA flag to be flown whenever the American and state flags are flown on state grounds received unanimous support from the Senate State Government...
Senate Democrats Hail Gov. Wolf’s Call for Testing of Young Children
Senate Democrats have been in the forefront of efforts to address exposure to lead Harrisburg – September 1, 2017 – State Sen. Vincent J. Hughes and Senate Democrats applauded Gov. Tom Wolf’s support of universal testing of children under the age of 2 to determine...
Schwank to Hold Child Care Seminar on Aug. 22
Reading, August 16, 2017 − Sen. Judy Schwank will hold a Child Care Seminar from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Exeter Community Library on Tuesday, Aug. 22. In a panel discussion, representatives from Community Services for Children, Pennsylvania Association...
Rick Kauffman Named to Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
Harrisburg, July 18, 2017 – On Monday, July 17th, the Pennsylvania Senate approved Rick Kauffman’s appointment by Gov. Tom Wolf to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Kauffman, Bern Township, was nominated by Sen. Judy Schwank. “Rick served Penn State...
Schwank, Argall Bill on Work Zone Speed Cameras Passes Senate
Harrisburg, June 10, 2017 A bill introduced by Sen. Judy Schwank and Sen. David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) to protect construction workers and improve driver safety in active work zones was approved by the Senate today. Senate Bill 172, which Schwank and...
YMCA Honors Sen. Schwank with Champion of Youth Award
HARRISBURG, April 20, 2017 – The State YMCA of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs honored Sen. Judy Schwank with a Champion of Youth Award at the 2017 YMCA Champions of Youth Luncheon. The luncheon, held at the Red Lion Hotel in Harrisburg, is...
Sen. Schwank and Sen. Vogel Announce Grain Dealer Bonding Act
HARRISBURG, April 19, 2017 – This week Sen. Schwank and Sen. Elder Vogel (R-47) introduced legislation meant to protect farmers from grain brokers who suddenly go out of business. A grain broker, or dealer, is someone who buys grain from a farmer and then sells it to...
Sen. Schwank Announces Four Berks Municipalities Approved for State Grants
HARRISBURG, March 29, 2017 – Four Berks County municipalities will receive a total of $450,000 in new state investments for their ongoing efforts to improve water and sewer services. Sen. Judy Schwank today said the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved grants...
Schwank Hosting Opioid Addiction Awareness Event
Reading, February 23, 2017 – State Sen. Judy Schwank is hosting an opioid addiction awareness event from 7 to 9 p.m. on March 16 at the Governor Mifflin Intermediate School in Shillington. The event, Coping with Opioid Addiction: Real Life Experiences, is geared...
Schwank Introduces Bill to Provide Equitable State Police Coverage for Municipalities Without Police
HARRISBURG, February 15, 2017 – Today Sen. Judy Schwank proposed a bill to ensure state police have sufficient resources to provide public safety services. Schwank (D-Berks) said Senate Bill 382 would offset funds the state provides to municipalities from motor...
Senate Democrats Call for Special Session on Property Tax Relief or Elimination
Harrisburg – February 1, 2017 – State Senate Democrats said that Gov. Tom Wolf should call a special session of the General Assembly to ensure that legislation that results in significant property tax relief or total elimination is passed and signed into law this session.
Bartolotta, Schwank Reintroduce Postpartum Depression Proposal
HARRISBURG, February 1, 2017 – Senators Camera Bartolotta (R-46) and Judy Schwank (D-11) reintroduced legislation today that would extend early intervention services to newborn and infant children of mothers affected by postpartum depression (PPD). Pennsylvania has a...
National Agriculture Day Essay Contest
Reading, January 25, 2017 – State Sen. Judy Schwank, Berks Country and the Berks Agricultural Resource Network invite Berks County students to share their thoughts about farming in an essay and video contest celebrating National Ag Day. The day reminds people where...
Schwank and Lt. Governor Mike Stack to Host Seminar on Dealing with Criminal Records
Reading, January 18, 2017 Sen. Judy Schwank is hosting an informational seminar on pardons, expungements and the new Limited Access processes on Saturday, Jan. 28, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Muhlenberg Township municipal building at 210 George Street.
Schwank to Chair Public Health & Welfare, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committees
Reading, December 29, 2016 Sen. Judy Schwank will serve as the Democratic Chair of the Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee, as well as continue her post as the Democratic Chair of the Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, Sen. Jay Costa...
Scrape Eggs to Control the Spotted Lanternfly
Harrisburg, December 14, 2016 In conjunction with Penn State Extension, Sen. Judy Schwank has released an instructional video demonstrating how to kill spotted lanternfly eggs. The spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest that state officials worry could damage the...
Schwank Named to Leadership
Harrisburg, December 8, 2016 − Senator Judy Schwank was named the Democratic vice-chair of the Senate Appropriations committee by Senate Democratic leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny). The committee is the legislative panel charged with allocating billions of taxpayer...
Sen. Schwank and Rep. Gillen Announce $1.6 Million State Investment in Berks
HARRISBURG, December 6, 2016 – Two Berks County economic development/transportation enhancement projects will receive much needed boosts thanks to $1.6 million in Multimodal Transportation Fund grant funding approved today by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. The...
More Than $40,000 Awarded to Berks Schools
Harrisburg, November 4, 2016 – State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) announced that two Berks County educational organizations have been awarded state grants totaling $40,577. The grants are for the training and compensation of school resource officers and school...
$500,000 Awarded to RACC
Harrisburg, October 28, 2016 – Today Gov. Tom Wolf awarded $500,000 in Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) to renovate Reading Area Community College’s science laboratory, State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-126th...
Senate Passes Truancy Bill
Harrisburg – October 26, 2016 − The State Senate today approved bipartisan legislation authored by Senators Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery) and Judy Schwank (D-Berks) that would significantly change the state’s truancy laws. The legislation, spurred by the 2014 death...
Schwank Announces $180,000 in State Grants to Improve Recreation in the 11th Senate District
Harrisburg – October 24, 2016 – State Senator Judith L. Schwank today announced that two Berks County municipalities, Laureldale Borough and Exeter Township, have been approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority for $180,000 in grant funding through the...
Senator Judy Schwank Sponsoring Two College Financial Aid Events This Week
Harrisburg, October 17, 2016 – On Wednesday, October 19, 2016, beginning at 7 p.m., Senator Judy Schwank is sponsoring her annual College Financial Aid Awareness Seminar in the Commissioners Board Room of the Muhlenberg Township Building, 210 George Street, Reading,...
Schwank Legislation Supporting Women with Post-Partum Depression Clears Committee
Harrisburg – Sept. 28, 2016 – Legislation sponsored by Senator Judy Schwank that would provide early intervention services for infants and mothers when the mother is affected by post-partum depression received unanimous support today from the Senate committee on...
Schwank Introduces Legislation Shielding Farms from Realty Transfer Tax
Harrisburg – Sept. 27, 2016 – State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) today introduced legislation to reinstate a decades old program that exempts agricultural conservation easements from Pennsylvania’s Realty Transfer Tax (RTT). The proposed bill would provide exemptions...
Schwank, Jozwiak: State Grant Paves Way for New Industrial Development, Jobs
Harrisburg, September 16, 2016 − More than $2.5 million in grant funds from Pennsylvania's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) will be used to transform a brownfield site near the Reading Regional Airport in Bern Township into an industrial park, State...
Schwank: Two Berks County Farms Help Pennsylvania Reach Land Preservation Milestone
Harrisburg – Aug. 24, 2016 – State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) congratulated the owners of two Berks County farms who joined the ranks of more than 5,000 Pennsylvania farms preserved through the efforts of the State Agricultural Land Preservation Board. “Berks County...
Upgrades for Reading Waste Water Treatment Facility Approved by PENNVEST
Harrisburg - Aug. 11, 2016 - Upgrades at Reading's Fritz Island Waste Water Treatment Facility will be completed thanks to $27.1 million in additional funding from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said...
Schwank Looks Forward to Future of Hemp Industry in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg - July 22, 2016 - Legislation recently signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf legalizing the growing of industrial hemp in Pennsylvania represents a significant step forward for the agricultural industry in Pennsylvania, State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks)...
State Infrastructure Loan for Reading Airport Industrial/Business Park
HARRISBURG — July 1, 2016 — The Berks County Industrial Development Authority (BCIDA) was approved today by the Commonwealth Financing Authority for a state low-interest Business In Our Sites (BIOS) loan in the amount of $1,119,709 to improve electrical infrastructure...
Berks County Environmental Groups Approved for $470k State Investment, Sen. Schwank, Reps. Caltagirone, Rozzi Announce
HARRISBURG, July 1, 2016 – Three regional conservation, watershed protection, and civic improvement groups will receive a total of $470,000 in new state investments for their ongoing efforts to protect and enhance the outdoor experience for Berks County residents....