Press Releases
Schwank Appointed to Special Panel to Look at AG Kane
HARRISBURG, Oct. 27, 2015 – Berks County Democratic Sen. Judy Schwank has been appointed to a special bipartisan senate panel to look into whether Attorney General Kathleen Kane may serve with a suspended law license. Fellow Democrats Art Haywood (Philadelphia) and...
Schwank’s Industrial Hemp Bill Wins Unanimous Committee Approval
HARRISBURG, Oct. 27, 2015 – Without opposition, state Sen. Judy Schwank’s proposal to once again make industrial hemp a legal cash crop in Pennsylvania moved out of committee and to the Senate floor today. The Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, of which...
More Farmland Preserved in Berks County, Schwank says
Harrisburg, Oct. 8, 2015 - Additional acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved following today's approval of the purchase of conservation easements by the state Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks). Schwank, who...
Schwank Urges Commonwealth to Stop ‘Balance Billing’
HARRISBURG, Oct. 1, 2015 – With many Pennsylvanians suffering “sticker shock” when they get a bill for medical procedures they believed their insurance company would cover, state Sen. Judy Schwank today urged the commonwealth to stop the practice of so-called “balance...
Schwank’s ‘College Financial Aid Awareness Night’ to Offer Helpful Info
READING, Sept. 24, 2015 – Students, parents and others who have questions about paying for college will want to save Oct. 1 on their calendars so they can benefit from Sen. Judy Schwank’s annual “College Financial Aid Awareness Night.” The free event will run from 7...
54-Acre Arnold Farm Now Protected, Sen. Schwank Announces
HARRISBURG, Aug. 13, 2015 – A 54-acre tract in Tulpehocken Township, Berks County, is now under the commonwealth’s farmland preservation shield, state Sen. Judy Schwank said today. Lawrence and Donna Arnold received nearly $135,000 in conservation easements in...
State Grant Opp for Businesses Working to Stop Pollution, Improve Energy Efficiency, Schwank Says
READING, July 29, 2015 – Businesses working to save electricity or protect the environment can now apply for a state grant for pollution prevention and energy conservation projects, Sen. Judy Schwank said today. The Department of Environmental Protection’s Small...
Next Phase of Reading Waste Water Treatment Facility Upgrade to Happen with Approval of $37M PENNVEST Loan, Sen. Schwank, Reps. Caltagirone, Rozzi Report
HARRISBURG, July 22, 2015 – The ongoing rejuvenation of Reading’s treatment facilities today counted the approval of a $37.2 million low-interest loan for the replacement of the Fritz Island solid waste treatment plant. Just as it approved an $84.6 million loan in...
Statewide Conservation Group Honors Sen. Schwank With ‘Legislator Leadership Award’
MONROEVILLE, July 8, 2015 – State Sen. Judy Schwank – who has worked to protect Berks County farmland, enhance open spaces throughout Pennsylvania, and safeguard natural resources – has been named a “legislative leader” by the organization that advocates for the...
Sen. Schwank: Republican Budget Fails Property Taxpayers in Berks County
HARRISBURG, June 30, 2015 – Ignoring Berks County residents’ call for relief from skyrocketing property tax bills, the Republican state legislature today steamrolled its $30.2 billion budget, absent the support of state Sen. Judy Schwank. Schwank said the General...
Avian Influenza Not Yet in PA, But Sen. Schwank Says State Ready to Act
HARRISBURG, June 26, 2015 – Because the latest avian influenza outbreak has wiped out 50 million birds across the country and appears to be headed this way, Sen. Judy Schwank is working with state agriculture officials as they develop response and recovery plans should the disease strike in Pennsylvania.
More Berks Co. Farmland Preserved Today, Schwank Says
HARRISBURG, June 11, 2015 – Berks County’s farmland preservation movement expanded today when a state panel added another 280 acres to the commonwealth’s preservation program. Sen. Judy Schwank, who is a member of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board,...
8 Berks County Organizations to Get $260k State Investment to Target Underage, Dangerous Drinking, Schwank, Caltagirone Announce
READING, June 11, 2015 – Berks County communities working to help teenagers and young adults better understand the consequences of drinking and alcohol abuse today received nearly $260,000 in grants from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Sen. Judy Schwank, Rep....
Berks Senators introduce work zone safety measure
HARRISBURG, June 8, 2015 – Holly Doppel of Lenhartsville emailed Senators David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) and Judy Schwank (D-Berks) after she read the lawmakers were interested in spearheading a bipartisan effort to strengthen safety in work zones. Doppel was...
Gov’s Proposal to Improve Workforce Skills Now Before Committee as Schwank Bill
READING, May 14, 2015 – One of Pennsylvania’s champions for education has converted Gov. Tom Wolf’s idea for career and technical instruction into a proposal that is now before a Senate committee for consideration. Sen. Judy Schwank’s Senate Bill 114 would deliver as...
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 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...
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...
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, 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...
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...
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...