Press Releases
Senator Schwank Questions Water Rate Increase Request
Reading, July 27, 2011 – Testifying today at a Public Utility Commission (PUC) public input hearing, state Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) expressed her concerns over the Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC) rate increase request. The PAWC is requesting a 13.3...
Senator Schwank: 2011-2012 Budget Falls Short
Harrisburg, June 28, 2011 – State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said she voted against the 2011-2012 state budget passed today by the Senate because of its failure to support vital programs for education, job growth and the environment. “We could have done better...
Schwank Amendment Would Have Restored Penn State Appropriation
Appropriation Would Have Resembled State Funding Level for 2010-11 Harrisburg, June 26, 2011 – In an effort to cushion the 19 percent budget cut to Penn State University funding, Senator Judy Schwank today offered an amendment that would restore Penn State funding to...
Senator Schwank Announces Local Recycling Grants
Harrisburg, June 23, 2011 – A number of Berks County municipalities have received state grants totaling $62,772 for local recycling programs, according to state Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks). “Recycling is a vital part of keeping our local communities clean and our...
Senator Schwank Introduces Bills to Permit Extended Voting in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, June 22, 2011 – State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) today introduced legislation to establish a general right to vote prior to scheduled Election Days. “Voting is a right, and exercising it should not be a test of someone’s ability, commitment or simple...
Senator Schwank Holds Gun Safety Event
Reading, June 16, 2011– State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) joined with several law enforcement officials today to hold a gun safety event at her district office. The event was intended to promote safe handling and storing of personal firearms. “Proper storage and...
Senator Schwank Praises Committee Passage of PACE/PACENET Legislation
Harrisburg, June 14, 2011– State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) hailed efforts today by the Senate Aging and Youth Committee to protect PACE and PACENET enrollees with legislation that would prevent their losing benefits because of cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs)...
Senator Schwank Proposes Swifter CYS Payments to Counties
Harrisburg, June 13, 2011– State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) has introduced legislation requiring the state to more efficiently pay for the costs of county children’s services agencies. “The state has really been riding on counties’ shoulders to pay for the...
Senator Schwank Proposes Smaller Senate and House of Representatives
Harrisburg, May 25, 2011 – Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) today introduced a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce the size of the Pennsylvania General Assembly by more than a third. “The legislature has to be unleashed from the old way of thinking, which costs...
Senator Schwank Hails Passage of O’Pake-initiated Truants Bill
Harrisburg, May 24, 2011 – Senator Judith L. Schwank applauded Senate approval today of truants legislation that was initiated by the late Senator Michael A. O’Pake. “This was one of the last bills that Mike authored in his career,” Senator Schwank said. “I’m very...
Schwank to Hold District Office Open House
Reading, May 18, 2011 – State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) today announced that she will be holding an open house at her district office this Thursday, May 19 from 2 to 7 p.m. The office is located at the Rockland Professional Center, 1940 North 13th Street, Suite...
Senator Schwank hails Senate passage of ban on bath salt sales
Harrisburg, May 10, 2011 – State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) today, welcomed Senate passage of a ban on the sale of bath salts being misused to mimic the effects of other illegal drugs. “The Senate heard the urgent message that law enforcement and health officials...
Senator Schwank Calls DEP Step the Right Move for Regulating Marcellus Shale Operations
Harrisburg, May 6, 2011 – Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) today welcomed the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s decision to return enforcement authority of Marcellus Shale drilling operations to DEP field investigators. Schwank, Democratic chair of the Senate...
Schwank Announces Grant Funding for Local Sewer Projects
Four Berks County local governments, including the Lyons Borough Municipal Authority, the City of Reading, Richmond Township, and Ruscombmanor Township, have been awarded state H2O Water and Sewer grants totaling $3.715 million by the Commonwealth Finance Authority,...
158 Acres of Farmland Preserved in Berks County
Harrisburg, April 21, 2011 – State Senator Judy Schwank announced today that an additional 158 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $394,000. The funding was approved today by the Pennsylvania...
Schwank Appointed Democratic Chair of Senate Agriculture Committee
HARRISBURG, April 13, 2011 – State Senator Judy Schwank will serve as Democratic Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Democratic Leaders announced today. Schwank, who was sworn in last week to complete the term of the late Senator Michael O’Pake, said the...
Judy Schwank Sworn-in on Tuesday as Senator for 11th District
Harrisburg, April 5, 2011 – Calling job creation and educational opportunity fundamental needs that Pennsylvania must meet for its future success, Judy Schwank (D- Berks) was sworn into office today as state Senator for the 11th District. “We know the serious...
Senate Democrats Joined Students from the State System of Higher Education to Rally for Public Higher Education
Yesterday, several Senate Democrats joined students from the state System of Higher Education who traveled by bus and by foot to rally at the Capitol against Governor Corbett’s proposed cuts to higher education. The 50 percent cut in state funding could mean layoffs,...