Press Releases
Schwank Says Amendment Will Save Thousands for Barto, Eastern Berks Fire Departments
HARRISBURG, May 2, 2013 – State Senator Judith L. Schwank applauded the adoption of an amendment to a bill that will save the old Barto and Eastern Berks fire departments $17,000. The Senate Finance Committee approved the amendment Wednesday as it reported out House...
Schwank Invites Public to ‘Spring Clean Berks’
READING, April 24, 2013 – Sen. Judy Schwank will be working with parents, children and residents of her 11th Senatorial District to “Spring Clean Berks” on Saturday, April 27. The senator’s 2nd annual spring cleaning of the community take place in two sessions on...
Senate Democrats Seek Job Creation, Education, Safety Net Dollars in Budget Discussions
Harrisburg, April 17, 2013 – Senate Democrats’ 2013-14 budget priorities are heavily weighted toward job creation, education investments, strengthening the social-services safety net, modernizing liquor sales and refocusing Pennsylvania’s business tax menu to help...
Send-Off Ceremonies April 14/16 for Reading-based Soldiers
READING, April 12, 2013 — The U.S. Army will hold a “farewell ceremony” at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 14, at Governor Mifflin Intermediate School for the U.S. Army’s 333rd Engineer Company (Horizontal). State Sen. Judy Schwank will attend the tribute. The 333rd will be...
Schwank Bill Would Provide Equitable State Police Coverage for Municipalities Without Law Enforcement; Generate New Money for Roads, Bridges
HARRISBURG, April 10, 2013 – State Senator Judith L. Schwank said today that a bill she has proposed would help ensure that state police have sufficient resources to provide public safety services. Schwank (D-Berks) said Senate Bill 841 would offset funds the state...
Schwank Says Gov. Corbett’s Liquor Privatization Story Not the Answer for Reading
HARRISBURG, April 3, 2013 – Gov. Tom Corbett today told Reading business leaders how important it is to sell the state’s successful and profitable liquor stores, but he delivered the message in the wrong city, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said today. “Reading is in the...
Schwank to Host Town Hall Meeting in Exeter Township
READING, March 28, 2013 — State Sen. Judy Schwank will hold a town hall meeting at 7 p.m., April 4, for residents of Exeter Township and surrounding communities in the Community Room of the Exeter Community Library, 4569 Prestwick Drive, Exeter. “This is an...
Schwank Praises AG Decision on Lottery
HARRISBURG, February 14, 2013 — State Sen. Judy Schwank today praised the Attorney General’s decision to stop the Corbett administration’s rush to sell off the state lottery without legislative oversight. “Like many of us, the Attorney General saw the lottery plan as...
Schwank: Budget Plan Doesn’t Adequately Address Job Creation, Education
HARRISBURG, February 5, 2013 — State Sen. Judy Schwank today issued the following statement on the governor’s 2013-14 state budget address: “Today’s budget plan did not provide a solid long-term plan for lifting up our economy. As our smaller cities and urban areas...
Schwank Applauds Senate Passage of Bill That Keeps PSU’s NCAA Fines in PA
HARRISBURG, Jan. 30, 2013 — The Pennsylvania Senate today unanimously approved legislation that would ensure that all NCAA-imposed fines on Penn State University as a result of the infamous child sex abuse scandal remain in Pennsylvania, according to state Sen. Judy...
Schwank Applauds New Financial Reporting Deadline on Small Games of Chance
HARRISBURG, Jan. 9, 2013 — State Sen. Judy Schwank today applauded a decision by the Corbett Administration to move the financial report filing deadline to Feb. 1, 2014 for local clubs and charitable non-profit organizations that run small games of chance to raise...
Schwank to Partake in Key Funding Decisions on Appropriations Committee
HARRISBURG, Jan. 8, 2013 — The Senate Democratic Leadership has appointed state Sen. Judy Schwank as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Members of this committee make key funding decisions and determine the fiscal impact of legislation on Pennsylvania....
Pennsylvania Senate Democrats Discuss Plan to Address Distressed Cities
Harrisburg, December 18, 2012 – Acknowledging the escalating problems in economically-challenged communities across the state, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats today discussed their plans to address a wide range of problems impacting aging and distressed cities. The...
Schwank: 168 Acres of Farmland Preserved in Berks County
READING, Dec. 13, 2012 — An additional 168 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $420,000 that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen....
Schwank: Property Tax and Rent Rebate Deadline is Dec. 31
READING, Dec. 11, 2012 — State Sen. Judy Schwank reminds everyone that the filing deadline for senior citizens and other individuals eligible for the 2011 Property Tax and Rent Rebate is Dec. 31. “This program has provided beneficial property tax relief to many...
Schwank, Caltagirone: Reading Crime Summit Planned for January
READING, Dec. 10, 2012 - State Sen. Judy Schwank and Rep. Thomas Caltagirone announced today that the governor will join state and local officials to hold a crime summit in January in Reading. Schwank and Caltagirone made the comments after a meeting with city and...
Schwank: Local Municipalities Awarded State Grants to Improve Greenways
READING, Nov. 28, 2012 — State Sen. Judy Schwank announced today that several Berks County municipalities have been awarded state grants toward improvement projects in local parks and greenways. “Our local parks and green spaces are precious community resources, so...
Schwank: Task Force Report a ‘Blueprint’ for Improving Child Protection Laws
READING, Nov. 27, 2012 — State Sen. Judy Schwank applauded the work of the Task Force on Child Protection, which today released its report detailing recommendations for improving Pennsylvania’s laws regarding child abuse. “This is a very important report that offers a...
Schwank to Seniors: Beware of Property Tax/Rent Rebate Scams
READING, Nov. 9, 2012 — State Sen. Judy Schwank is cautioning all seniors to be vigilant of organizations requesting payment for completing the state Property Tax and Rent Rebate application. “Many seniors have alerted us to potential scams and moneymaking schemes...
Hurricane Sandy Afternoon Update
Harrisburg – October 30, 2012 – (4:30 p.m.) In an afternoon conference call briefing, Robert Powelson, chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and Glenn M. Cannon, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, outlined new developments...
Hurricane Sandy Update
Absentee ballot deadline extended in Pennsylvania as state recovers from this massive storm. Harrisburg, October 30, 2012 – (9:20 a.m.) Gov. Tom Corbett provided additional details on how Pennsylvania is dealing with Hurricane Sandy earlier today at a briefing held at...
Hurricane Sandy Impact, Important Contact Numbers, Information
October 29, 2012 -- (6 p.m.) Gov. Tom Corbett held briefing to update the status of Hurricane Sandy and its impact on Pennsylvania. The governor said that the storm had 90 mile per hour winds and was making landfall in New Jersey and expected to move west. The storm...
Schwank: Bill Strengthening Penalties for Irresponsible Drinking Heads to Governor
HARRISBURG, Oct. 18, 2012 — A measure that strengthens penalties for underage drinking and public drunkenness is headed to the governor’s desk after receiving overwhelming support in the state legislature, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank. Senate Bill 941 would...
Schwank: 93 Acres of Farmland Preserved in Berks County
HARRISBURG, Oct. 11, 2012 — An additional 92.9 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $232,250 that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen....
Schwank: Senate Passes Bill that Criminalizes Gang Activity
READING, Oct. 4, 2012 — As concerns of gang violence and gang recruitment grow in Reading, state Sen. Judy Schwank said that this week’s Senate passage of anti-gang legislation offers a step toward deterring this disturbing activity that plagues neighborhoods and...
Schwank: Voter ID Ruling Resolves Confusion over the Law for Now
HARRISBURG, Oct. 2, 2012 — State Sen. Judy Schwank said today’s Commonwealth Court ruling on the state’s voter ID law will give voters more time to prepare for future elections while ensuring their right to vote this November. “There have been many questions from...
Policy Committee Roundtable Discussion Focuses on Farm Profitability
READING, Sept. 20, 2012 — Agriculture is not only the No. 1 industry in Berks County, but also in Pennsylvania. The future of local farming and food prices will have a direct impact on the industry, consumers, businesses and the economy. As farming experts continue to...
Schwank and Caltagirone: Local Arts Programs Awarded State Grants
READING, Sept. 10, 2012 — Nearly two dozen Berks County arts programs have received state funding, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank and state Rep. Tom Caltagirone. “The arts are an important part of any community. They provide entertainment, creative expression,...
Schwank Reminds Families to Enroll in PA 529 Under Current Credit Prices
READING, Aug. 24, 2012—State Sen. Judy Schwank is reminding parents, grandparents, and students that there is still time to save for college at last year’s credit prices in the Pennsylvania 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP). After Aug. 31, GSP credit prices will rise...
Schwank: 243 Acres of Farmland Preserved in Berks County
HARRISBURG, Aug. 23, 2012 — An additional 243 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $607,000 dollars that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to...
Schwank Comments on PUC Report on Storm Response
READING, Aug. 9, 2012 — State Sen. Judy Schwank called the recent release of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's (PUC) evaluation of the response of electric utilities to outages caused by multiple severe storms last year a “step in the right direction,” but...
Sen. Schwank Comments on State Budget Legislation
HARRISBURG, June 30, 2012 — State Senator Judy Schwank said today that while the new state budget achieves an appropriate funding level, she voted against it because it fails to properly fund important programs and services. “This is a pass-the-buck budget” said...
Schwank Reminds Dog Owners to Get Their Pet Licensed
HARRISBURG, June 19, 2012 – State Sen. Judy Schwank today reminded dog owners that Pennsylvania law requires that they purchase an annual dog license. “Obtaining a state license is not only the law, but it’s also one more way you can show your love for your...