August 31, 2022
Reading — July 31, 2022 — Today, Sen. Judy Schwank, minority chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, applauded the Wolf Administration for awarding six organizations with over $2 million in grant funding for sustainable agriculture research.
Two Berks County based organizations received a total of $635,000 in funding. Below is the list of grant recipients:
- The Center for Dairy Excellence, Dauphin County – $30,000
- Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, Berks County – $135,000
- Pennsylvania State University, Centre County – $1,259,976
- Rodale Institute, Berks County – $500,000
- Stroud Water Research Center, Chester County – $85,000
- University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia – $177,021
Schwank, who has been one of the leading advocates for climate-smart agriculture in the state legislature, said she believes Pennsylvania is poised to become a leader in implementing innovative agriculture practices that combat climate change.
“When you look at some of the work groups in Pennsylvania are doing to promote agriculture while protecting our natural resources, you can’t help but feel good about the direction of the commonwealth’s agriculture industry,” Schwank said. “I have the utmost confidence that with continued support, Pennsylvania can become a model other states follow in terms of climate-smart agriculture. I’m proud to see two Berks County based organizations take advantage of this opportunity.”
###
August 10, 2022
Reading — August 10, 2022 — Today, Sen. Judy Schwank and Berks Connections/Pretrial Services (BCPS) announced that BCPS received $100,000 in grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to support the Pardon Project of Berks County.
Pardon Projects pair individuals seeking a pardon with trained pardon coaches who guide them through the application process free of charge. In November of 2021, Schwank, BCPS, and Berks County District Attorney John Adams announced the beginning of the Pardon Project of Berks County’s pilot program. The program’s guidelines and eligibility criteria were developed with input from Adams, Magisterial District Judge Tonya Butler, Executive Director of the Berks County Bar Association Executive Kori Walter, and then Berks County Bar Association President Justin Bodor.
The grant funding will go towards 18 months of salary for a full-time Pardon Project Coordinator and other costs associated with bolstering the program.
“Getting a pardon can transform an individual’s life by opening doors to a variety of opportunities that are too often closed for people who’ve made a mistake,” Schwank said. “The mission of Pardon Project is worthy of support, and I’m committed to ensuring it succeeds in Berks County. Growing the program is the logical next step after a successful pilot period and significant community interest. I’m excited to see what it will become once a full-time staff member is fully devoted to Pardon Project.”
“We are so thankful for Sen. Schwank’s assistance in securing these funds,” said BCPS Co-Executive Director Nikki Schnovel. “The ability to have a dedicated Pardon Project Coordinator who is trained in the process will not only assure that participants working with Pardon Project of Berks County will be submitting a strong application with a higher likelihood of success, but will also increase the amount of participants that we can assist, allowing for a greater impact on the community!”
More information about the Pardon Project of Berks County can be found by visiting berksconnections.org/pardonprojectofberkscounty.
###
August 8, 2022
Reading — August 8, 2022 — Today, Sen. Judy Schwank sent a letter to the Berks County Commissioners requesting they convene a panel to remedy the election issues outlined in a report made public last Thursday in preparation for the 2022 general election.
The letter is in response to a string of errors that have occurred while administering recent Berks County elections that culminated with a series of mistakes during the 2022 primary. These errors are especially damaging in the wake of a continued onslaught of unfounded allegations of stolen elections and widespread fraud following to 2020 presidential election.
“Having been in the shoes of the commissioners, I have great respect for the work they do and know how difficult it is to administer an election,” said Schwank. “A mistake here or there is understandable and forgivable if the officials overseeing it take ownership and work to ensure it doesn’t happen again. When they continue to happen election after election, that means there is a systemic issue that badly needs to be addressed before the 2022 general election. Berks County residents deserve to hear what’s being done to ensure the upcoming election goes off without a hitch and every legal vote is counted correctly.”
###
Letter Berks County Board of Elections Aug 2022
July 27, 2022
Harrisburg — July 27, 2022 — This week, state Sen. Judy Schwank issued a co-sponsorship memorandum on her plan to require employers in the lodging and truck stop industry to provide Human Trafficking Awareness training to employees.
Human trafficking is a crime and a human rights abuse in which perpetrators use force, coercion, or fraud to compel victims into servitude or commercial sexual exploitation. Act 130, commonly referred to as Safe Harbor, was signed into law in 2018. It created immunity for victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation from some crimes, gave direction to the Department of Human Services to coordinate specialized services for sexually exploited children, required training for law enforcement on how to identify and help victims, and established the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund to support care for victims and to prevent human trafficking. Schwank’s proposed legislation would build on Safe Harbor and help individuals who are likely to interact with human trafficking victims identify warning signs.
Currently, the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association does connect members and their staff with free human trafficking prevention training via Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking. BEST offers comprehensive human trafficking prevention training across the country. The training is voluntary and is offered as a courtesy program to its members and staff. Schwank’s proposed legislation would require those industries to receive training once every two years. The training must be 20 minutes long and must be within six months of the beginning of employment.
“Human trafficking remains a very serious threat in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and throughout the nation. Providing valuable training to our restaurant and truck stop industry workers would equip them with the tools they need to identify warning signs and potentially help a victim who finds themselves in a perilous situation.”
Schwank added that the General Assembly has a record of working cooperatively to address human trafficking in Pennsylvania and believes her plan will garner broad bipartisan support.
“We’ve had some success getting meaningful legislation through both chambers on this issue in the past and I believe we can do it again,” Schwank said. “It’s too important and we owe it to the victims of these heinous crimes to do everything we can to help them. Even if it saves just one life, it’s worth it.”
California, Florida, Illinois, and Texas are among other states that have enacted similar laws.
###
July 26, 2022
Philadelphia — July 26, 2022 — Today, the Women’s Health Caucus conducted its second joint hearing with the House and Senate Democratic Policy Committees on Pennsylvania abortion access post-Roe. The hearing was held at the William Way Community Center and featured testimony from Dr. Aasta Mehta from the Philadelphia Department of Health and Signe Espinoza, the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates, Céshia Elmore, a Community Organizer for New Voices for Reproductive Justice, and Dr. Sarah Gutman from the University of Penn Medicine.
WHC co-chair Rep. Morgan Cephas provided opening remarks at the hearing and highlighted the threat to abortion access in Pennsylvania. She said today’s hearing was about understanding how abortion access can be protected and expanded in Pennsylvania.
“We have a Republican Caucus in Harrisburg that is looking to ban abortion across the commonwealth as quickly as they can,” said Rep. Cephas. “That’s going to require us to stay steadfast and focus on factual information about how limiting abortion access continuously increases health risks to mothers and birthing people.”
“The Supreme Court decision on abortion has created confusion for people capable of pregnancy across the country,” said WHC co-chair Rep. Mary Jo Daley. “It is important that Pennsylvanians know that abortion care is still safe and legal and that our doors are open for people needing an abortion to come to our state. The second policy hearing in post-Roe Pennsylvania brings together health care providers and advocates for pregnant people to discuss the future of abortion care in Pennsylvania.”
“Abortion is still safe and legal in Pennsylvania, but we have a lot of work to do when it comes to expanding reproductive healthcare access in the commonwealth,” said WHC co-chair Sen. Amanda Cappelletti. “Many women and child-bearing individuals already face barriers when it comes to accessing healthcare, such as maternity healthcare deserts and hospital closures, and the access to abortion care remains inaccessible for many individuals across the commonwealth. We must protect the right to bodily autonomy and provide greater accessibility.”
“These hearings are just one way we can continue to keep this issue front and center,” said WHC co-chair Sen. Judy Schwank. “It’s important that we do everything in our power to communicate where abortion access stands in Pennsylvania right now and where we are headed if people don’t stay engaged. The testimony we’ve heard so far makes it clear that stripping away abortion access away from Pennsylvanians is not in the best interest of this commonwealth.”
The first post-Roe Pennsylvania hearing took place on July 19 in Harrisburg and featured testimony from Pennsylvania’s Acting Physician General Denise Johnson. The next hearing will take place in Pittsburgh on August 11.
###
Testimony
- Dr. Aasta Mehta, MD, MPP, OB/GYN, Medical Officer of Women’s Health, Philadelphia Department of Public Health
- Ceshia Elmore, New Voices for Reproductive Justice
- Signe Espinoza, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates
- Dr. Sarah Gutman, MD, MSPH, OB/GYN and Complex Family Medicine, Specialist, UPenn Medicine
- Saleemah McNeil, CEO, Oshun Family Center
July 19, 2022
Reading − July 19, 2022 − This morning, the Commonwealth Financing Authority voted to approve over $2.8 million in grant funding to the Berks County Industrial Development.
In addition to the $2.8 million, BCIA will also receive a $4.2 million loan from the commonwealth. The financial assistance will go towards redeveloping a former World War II base within Berks Park 183 adjacent to the Reading Airport. The site has been vacant for 80 years. Renovations to the site will include excavation, water and sewer, utilities, storm water management, road improvements, and landscaping.
“It’s great to see Berks County continue to take advantage of state resources and take on big revitalization projects,” Sen. Judy Schwank said. “Redevelopment around the Reading Airport has been ongoing for many years and there is still a lot of work to be done, but this substantial award will go a long way toward bringing a space that’s sat lifeless for decades back to prominence. This project in particular checks all the boxes. It leverages state funds to support development, which will provide good jobs for area residents and generate substantial future economic growth.”
###
July 14, 2022
Reading — July 14, 2022 — Today, Sen. Judy Schwank commended the Wolf Administration for investing $264,980 in a union apprenticeship program that will serve 18 counties, including Berks.
The funding was awarded to the Insulators Local 23 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee for a program aimed at growing the number of registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships in Pennsylvania. The funding was awarded through the PAsmart program, which was created by the Wolf Administration in anticipation of increased employment opportunities within the building and construction trades as a result of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law by President Biden in November 2021.
Sen. Schwank supported Insulators Local 23’s application for funding and other projects that enhance union job training.
“I’ve been fortunate to have multiple great projects that invest in union job training efforts that provide a direct economic boost to Berks County come across my desk over the years. Many areas in the City of Reading and throughout Berks County require redevelopment and the support being given to this program is a meaningful step in the right direction. This demonstrates that Pennsylvania has the foresight needed to make the most of the federal infrastructure dollars that will be headed our way soon. It was an easy decision to support this funding application and I applaud Gov. Wolf for his continued investment in our community.”
###
July 12, 2022
Harrisburg — July 12, 2022 — Today, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that he signed an executive order that will protect Pennsylvania abortion providers facing prosecution in another state for providing individuals with reproductive health care services. The executive order comes a day after the four co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus along with an additional 48 state lawmakers signed a letter calling on Gov. Wolf to take this action.
WHC co-chairs Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D-Montgomery, Delaware), Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia), and Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery) issued the following statement applauding the governor’s executive order:
“The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is fortunate to have a governor who has time and time again displayed a commitment to upholding access to reproductive health care. With Roe’s reversal and anti-abortion laws taking effect throughout the country, Pennsylvania is expected to see a major influx of out-of-state travelers seeking an abortion. Under no circumstances can we allow neighboring states to intimidate or charge a provider operating legally within the commonwealth’s borders with a crime. This executive order further affirms that Pennsylvania is ready and willing to fight off any actions that seek to restrict access to abortion and reproductive health care. We thank Gov. Wolf for heeding our call for action and for moving quickly and decisively to protect Pennsylvania’s abortion providers.”
###
June 27, 2022
HARRISBURG, June 27, 2022 − Seven members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus circulated a memo on Friday afternoon to take steps to codify into state law the personal right to make decisions about health and reproduction, including access to safe and legal abortions.
The co-sponsorship memo was circulated by state Senators Katie Muth (D- Montgomery/Chester/Berks), Amanda Cappelletti (D-Montgomery/Delaware), Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny), Maria Collett (D-Bucks/Montgomery), Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), and Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester).
“The Supreme Court decision handed down on Friday was not made in the interest of the people and shows that the highest court in our nation has a majority that is being run by harmful right wing special interests,” Muth said. “If we cannot trust the Court to protect the rights of Pennsylvanians, then it is up to us in the state legislature to defend our rights to make decisions about our own bodies. We cannot and we will never back down in the fight to protect our rights, our bodies, and our right to choice.”
The legislation comes on the heels of the devastating ruling handed down by a partisan Supreme Court on Friday that overturned the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling and eliminates the constitutional right to an abortion after almost 50 years.
“Codifying Roe will go a long way to protect the right to determine our own bodily autonomy here in the Commonwealth. Currently, the right to make decisions about our own bodies is under threat because extremists refuse to accept the reality that abortion is a necessary and vital health care procedure,” Cappelletti said. “We must do all that we can to protect and even expand access, and this legislation is the first step to doing so.”
In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade that abortion rights being left to the individual states was a violation of the right to privacy and equal protection under the law. This ruling had provided American women the reproductive freedoms and personal health choices they deserve as equal citizens.
“Last week’s Supreme Court ruling took away the federal right for millions of Americans to seek life-saving reproductive healthcare. Abortion is only legal in Pennsylvania right now because the anti-choice bills run by Republicans in the legislature have been vetoed by the governor. The time is now to codify Roe into state law to ensure that reproductive healthcare remains safe and accessible for future generations,” Williams added. “Deciding if, when, and with whom to start or grow a family is a human right. I trust people to make the best decisions about their lives, families and their healthcare. This legislation is about our right to privacy and our right to bodily autonomy and I am proud to support it.”
In the dissenting opinion filed on Friday, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer wrote that “withdrawing a woman’s right to choose whether to continue a pregnancy does not mean that no choice is being made. It means that a majority of today’s Court has wrenched this choice from women and given it to the States. To allow a State to exert control over one of “the most intimate and personal choices” a woman may make is not only to affect the course of her life, monumental as those effects might be.”
“After nearly 50 years of legal precedent, we are seeing nothing less than a rollback of our fundamental rights to bodily autonomy. This ruling could be devastating to Pennsylvanians, but it does not have to be,” Collett added. “Our legislature must codify Roe v. Wade and ensure safe, legal, and accessible reproductive care for everyone, regardless of their income level or other social barriers.”
According to April 2022 polling done by Franklin & Marshall College, which has regularly polled on the issue since 2009, only 16 percent of Pennsylvanians believe that abortion should be illegal in all circumstances.
“Without Roe, state legislatures across the country will be lining up to restrict, ban or protect abortion access. Given that only 30% of Pennsylvanians agree with the overturning of Roe, I believe this legislation will do what our constituents expect us to do – protect access to abortion,” Schwank said. “We can’t allow the people of this commonwealth’s personal health care decisions to be made by a vocal minority.”
The Senators all agree that it is up to the legislature to step up and take action to protect women’s freedom of choice.
“While abortion currently remains safe and legal in Pennsylvania, we must take steps to keep it that way. In overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court showed just how fragile protections for women’s health, women’s rights, and women’s choice are,” Comitta said. “Codifying these protections into law is a matter of representing the majority of Pennsylvania voters who believe abortion should be legal, standing up for all women, and saying no to an extremist agenda of government-mandated pregnancy.”
The Senators indicated that language is currently being drafted to codify the protections of the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling into Pennsylvania law and that it will be introduced soon.
“We just witnessed an unprecedented repeal of the rights of women in America by activist justices acting against the interest of the majority of Americans. Pennsylvania’s legislature needs to act now to ensure we protect the rights of women here in Pennsylvania,” Tartaglione said. “This legislation will ensure women retain the right to safe abortions and protects women from having the government interfere in the private decision-making process between her and her healthcare team.”
Click here to read the co-sponsorship memo that was circulated on Friday.
###
June 27, 2022
Harrisburg — June 27, 2022 — Today, the four co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus were joined by senate and house Democratic Leaders Sen. Jay Costa and Rep. Joanna McClinton to talk about the reversal of Roe v. Wade and the need to preserve abortion access.
The group of lawmakers vowed to protect the access to abortion Pennsylvanians currently have and warned that efforts to restrict abortion in the commonwealth will only intensify after last Friday’s decision.
“Safe and legal abortion is still the law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said WHC co-chair Rep. Morgan Cephas. “The place where American democracy was forged is still a place where a uterus does not make a person a second-class citizen. For now. While we stand here there are closed-door meetings going on all over this building. In those meetings, the right-wing extremists who turned the United States Supreme Court from an impartial body into the most partisan and authoritarian force in the nation are giving their marching orders to the men – and, sadly, women – who control the legislature.”
“I am committed to protecting access to abortion in Pennsylvania, along with every other facet of reproductive health care,” said WHC co-chair Amanda Cappelletti. “We need to be expanding access to healthcare, not stripping it away. However, being in the minority means that pro-choice legislators can’t fight back against these threats alone. Senate Bill 956 is a dangerous constitutional amendment that the Governor will not be able to veto. We need Pennsylvanians to pay attention as this proposal to deny a person’s access to abortion moves through the legislature.”
“While we stand together to speak for the majority of people, we have to remember the Republicans control the house as they’ve done for 23 of the last 27 years,” said WHC co-chair Mary Jo Daley. “Republicans also control the Senate like they’ve done unbroken since 1994. They can bring up and pass an abortion bill or amendment any time they want. We know abortion is still safe and legal in Pennsylvania. But our fight is not over. It’s time to look to the brave people of the past that fought together for their rights and work together so that future generations regain the full right to make their own decisions about their bodies.”
“Roe has protected my ability to make decisions about my own body for my entire adult life,” said WHC co-chair Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th). “I can’t tell you how difficult it is for me to think that my granddaughters will grow up in a country that affords them fewer rights than it did their grandmother. That’s the very definition of going backward.”
“The Republicans have shown us they don’t believe in women’s rights,” said McClinton. “They’ve shown us that they don’t believe it should be up to each and every birthing person in the commonwealth to decide what happens to their own bodies. They’ve shown us that time and time again. But we’re not here crying with tears, we’re here ready to rumble.”
“With this one decision, American life was so fundamentally altered in a way I have not seen at any other point in my career as a public servant – probably in my entire lifetime,” said Costa. “We stand firm in our commitment to do everything we can to preserve and maintain legal and safe access to abortion in Pennsylvania as it stands today. What we have to do is take that dark nightmare of Friday’s decision and do everything we can to secure this right. We have to turn this frustration into advocacy.”
###
June 22, 2022
Harrisburg, PA – June 22, 2022 – Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats held a press conference shortly after President Joe Biden made a call to federal and state law makers to pause gas taxes.
“Our stance is simple; we are calling on state Republicans to join us in supporting a suspension to the state gas tax. We know there is concern about a loss of revenue while the pause is in place, but Pennsylvania has billions in surplus funds that can be used to maintain roads and bridges during the gas tax holiday,” said Senator Jay Costa, Senate Democratic Leader. “This is about putting people over corporate profit. We need to implement a gas tax holiday, use Pennsylvania’s budget surplus to ensure our roads and bridges still receive the funding they need, and hold the oil and gas industry accountable to pass the savings to consumers.”
Several Democratic Senators joined Sen. Costa, including Sen. Hughes, Sen. Boscola, Sen. Cappelletti, Sen. Flynn, Sen. Haywood, Sen. Santarsiero, Sen. Schwank, and Sen. Street. All expressing their support for President’s call to states to pause the gas tax and make sure those savings were felt by consumers and not absorbed by the oil and gas industry.
“We have the money to support a gas tax holiday. We can give hardworking families some relief at the gas pump and still make sure our roads and bridges receive funding,” said Senator Vincent Hughes. “And when we do this tax reduction, the oil and gas industry need to leave those savings for consumers. We’re stepping up. We’re responding to the President’s call. It’s time for state Republicans and the oil and gas industry to step up too.”
Senator Lisa Boscola and Senator Marty Flynn recently introduced bills that would temporarily pause the gas tax in Pennsylvania. A statewide gas tax holiday could amount to an average of thirty cents a gallon in savings to consumers.
“I applaud President Biden’s call for a gas tax holiday,” said Sen. Marty Flynn. “Right now, Pennsylvania families are paying triple the price for gas compared to what they paid last year. This is one of the most pressing issues for families, and we have money in the bank to help them. I’m done naming bridges, it’s time we do something for the people.”
“Gas tax relief is something we can do immediately in this inflation storm,” said Senator Lisa Boscola. “The billions in surplus we have is taxpayer money, and taxpayers deserve some of this money back. Combined with the federal plan, a state gas tax holiday would give real savings to families.”
Sen. Collett, Sen. Dillon, Sen. Fontana, Sen. Kearney, and Sen. Lindsey Williams also attended the press conference to show support for a proposed state gas tax holiday.
A full video of the press conference and remarks from all speakers from the Democratic Senate Caucus is available online.
###
June 15, 2022
Harrisburg — June 15, 2022 — Today, SB967, which would establish a Women, Infants, and Children advisory board in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, passed the senate by a vote of 49-1.
The Pennsylvania Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WIC has improved the nutrition and health of families in Pennsylvania since 1974 by providing access to healthy foods, nutrition services, breastfeeding support, health care, and social service referrals. The program is fully funded by the federal government.
However, participation in WIC has been steadily declining in Pennsylvania. The legislation, sponsored by state Sen. Judy Schwank, would create a board that would work to grow participation and make sure more Pennsylvanians can take advantage of the program.
The board would be comprised of regional WIC agencies, agency partners, advocates, grocers, health care providers, and other participants. The board would be tasked with advising the Pennsylvania Department of Health on the program to increase enrollment.
“I greatly appreciate that my colleagues in the senate also see the value a WIC advisory board would bring to the commonwealth,” Schwank said. “This is a program that can be of benefit to so many Pennsylvanians without costing the commonwealth a dime. However, diminished participation over the years really places WIC at risk of losing funding and rolling back some of the vitally important services it offers to low-income individuals. We can’t let that happen.”
The bill will now be sent to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for its concurrence.
###
May 3, 2022
Harrisburg, PA − May 3, 2022 − The co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus (WHC), Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Montgomery, Delaware), Representative Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia) and Representative Mary Jo Daley (D-Narberth), released the following joint statement after reading the draft statement that was leaked out of the Supreme Court of the United States last night regarding Roe v. Wade:
“The draft opinion leaked to the press last night confirmed the worst fears of millions of people throughout the country: the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade. This is despite hours of testimony under oath during confirmation hearings where some of the justices that are, according to reports, ruling with the majority, stated that Roe was settled law. We know this impending ruling will not end abortion. Instead, abortions will only become more dangerous in many states. In fact, twelve states already have trigger bans on the books, meaning abortion could be severely restricted or outright banned in the coming months.
While abortion remains safe and legal in Pennsylvania, we are closer than we have been in 50 years to that no longer being a reality. Make no mistake, without the Governor’s veto pen, the majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Pennsylvania Senate would have passed trigger bans of their own. In fact, a photo posted online showed members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly participating in a “Post Roe Strategy Summit” in the Capitol just last month. Some members wasted little time putting out statements hailing the not-yet-official decision. If it was not already clear, it should be now, the majority in the Pennsylvania Legislature will move quickly to pass abortion bans here in the commonwealth.
The Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus remains steadfast in its support of the right to choose. Our members remain united and ready to fight on behalf of reproductive health rights. As your elected officials, we are leading the charge to protect the right to choose. We can’t do it alone. We need every Pennsylvanian to stand with us in our mission to ensure everyone in the commonwealth has access to the health care services they need and deserve. In our free country, everyone must be free to choose their own destiny.”
###
May 2, 2022
(From left to right) Tim Redding- Assistant Principal of Reading Virtual Academy, Sen. Judy Schwank, Ja’Mir Rivera, and Amy Dundon- Teacher at Reading Virtual Academy.
Reading – May 2, 2022 – Today, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th) attended a ceremony at the Reading Opportunity Center to award Ja’Mir Rivera, a freshman attending Reading Virtual Academy within the Reading School District, with the Good Citizenship Award.
The Good Citizenship Award recognizes students that demonstrate excellence in school as well as service to their community.
Rivera is a devoted student and participates in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. (JROTC) program at the Reading High School. Upon graduation, he plans to join the Marine Corps. Rivera is the first student attending Reading Virtual Academy to receive a Good Citizenship Award.
“Ja’Mir’s dedication to his schoolwork and his commitment to one day serve our country makes him more than deserving of the Good Citizenship Award,” Schwank said. “It’s crucially important that we highlight the achievements of our youngest citizens and do everything we can to ensure they’re supported in their endeavors. After meeting Ja’Mir’s family, teachers, and counselor, it’s clear he has a great support system around him. I’m sure he will continue to do great things in school and throughout our community.”
###
April 28, 2022
BLUE BELL, April 28, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today joined Senator Maria Collett, Senator Amanda Cappelletti, Senator Carolyn Comitta and Senator Judy Schwank to host a public hearing on the challenges faced by college students and staff in regard to childcare.
“Our hearing today highlighted the frustrating reality that affordable, accessible, and quality childcare is an unmet need for families across the Commonwealth,” Muth said. “We need to support the parents and the single mothers who are trying to fight their way out of poverty and economic struggle, trying to make ends meet, further their education, and trying to make a better life for their children. It is time for Harrisburg and Washington to step up and invest in childcare services.”
The Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing, hosted in the Health Sciences Center at Montgomery County Community College, featured three panels of testimony from students, educators, advocates, and public policy experts who will discuss the lack of affordable and accessible childcare at institutions of higher education.
“Parents who want to further their education deserve the opportunity to do so,” Cappelletti said. “By building in resources for parents to have access to affordable, quality childcare when continuing their education, we can open up more economic opportunities for families in Pennsylvania to be successful.”
According to a study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, nearly four million U.S. undergraduate students—or 22 percent of all undergraduate students—are raising children while attending a postsecondary education program. The study found that 70 percent of student parents are mothers – and over two in 5 of all student parents are single mothers.
“More than 20 percent of college undergraduate students are also parents. Ensuring those student-parents have access to childcare is a matter of both equity and economics,” Collett said. “Our Commonwealth cannot grow and prosper when parents of young children are unable to save for the future, find family sustaining jobs, and pursue and complete their education. It’s far past time for the Commonwealth to acknowledge this and adequately invest in our childcare infrastructure. With billions of unspent federal ARP dollars, now is the time to do so.”
One of the programs discussed at the hearing was the federal Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS) program which is fully-funded by the US Department of Education to establish campus-based child care programs that help low-income student-parents stay in school and graduate. Pennsylvania also offers the Child Care Works program which is managed by the Early Learning Resource Centers.
“Many Pennsylvanians have faced the difficult decision to choose between affording childcare or continuing a higher education. Childcare programs offer critical educational skills and support for children and their families,” Comitta added. “Affordability, quality, and access to these programs are the obstacles and disparities that we must work to address and ensure that all working parents can shape a healthy, safe, and successful future for their family.”
Participants in the hearing included May Yaghnam, a mother of four and a student at the Community College of Philadelphia; Kristina Valdez, Executive director, Along the Way; Kelly Lake; Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Project Director, Community College of Philadelphia; Dr. Kalani Palmer, Associate Professor in Human Development and CCAMPIS Project Director, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; and Tracey Campanini, Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning.
“It’s clear the business model for childcare is broken and creative solutions are needed to meet the modern needs of Pennsylvanians. Linking childcare and higher education is one way to allow parents to pursue the education they need to increase their earning potential, and it would benefit staff and faculty as well,” Schwank said. “Today’s hearing provided us with some ideas about ways we can expand childcare services in the commonwealth and provide these crucial services at more Pennsylvania colleges and universities.”
All submitted testimony from the policy hearing and the full video is available at SenatorMuth.com/Policy
# # #
April 22, 2022
Reading – April 22, 2022 – Today, State Sen. Judy Schwank announced two 11th District projects will receive $4.45 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project (RACP) grant funding from the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget.
$1.45 million will go to Reading Historical Properties, LP for the rehabilitation of the historical Trexler Mansion located at 46 South Fifth Street in the City of Reading. The building was formerly the Reading Elk Lodge from 1909 to 1978. Renovations will include interior and exterior rehabilitation of the building. The developer’s goal is for the building to be a venue for events as well as office space for local businesses.
“Reading is home to numerous buildings that have historic significance to our community and unique architecture,” Schwank said. “The rehabilitation of these buildings and extending their service life well into the future is a crucial component of the overall redevelopment of downtown Reading. This investment further demonstrates Governor Wolf’s commitment to downtown Reading’s revitalization.”
$3 million was awarded to the Rodale Institute, a nonprofit that promotes organic farmer training, research, and consumer education. The funding will go towards a brand-new Science Center facility located in Maxatawny Township. The new Science Center will replace Rodale’s existing outdated lab and provide the surrounding communities with a state-of-the-art facility.
“This is a major investment in Pennsylvania agriculture. Rodale Institute is a world-renowned educational leader in regenerative agriculture and organic food production. The facilities and research that this funding will support has implications for food supply as well as mitigating climate change. It will serve our local farmers as well who are capitalizing on the increasing consumer demand for local and healthy foods.”
###
April 6, 2022
Harrisburg – April 6, 2022 – Today, State Sens. Judy Schwank and Sharif Street issued a co-sponsor memorandum for a bill they plan to introduce that would ban the sale of delta-8 THC products in Pennsylvania.
The Food and Drug Administration defines delta-8 THC as a psychoactive substance found in the cannabis sativa plant, of which marijuana and hemp are two varieties. It can be manufactured in higher amounts by synthetically converting a better-known non-intoxicating compound, CBD, into delta-8 THC. In September of 2021, the FDA issued a warning that “potentially unsafe household chemicals” are sometimes used to convert CBD to delta-8 THC.
Under the federal Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, hemp was removed from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substance Act (CSA). The act defines hemp as a cannabis plant that contains 0.3% delta-9 THC or less, which is considered too low to have a psychoactive effect. However, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 did not address delta-8 THC, allowing it to go unregulated at the federal level.
This omission created a loophole that allows vendors to sell delta-8 THC products like edibles, vapes, and tinctures with no oversight. Currently, delta-8 THC products can be purchased by individuals 21 or older at gas stations and neighborhood corner stores.
“What we are seeing right now is a completely unregulated market for these products and they are becoming more popular with each passing day,” Schwank said. “I’m particularly concerned about underage teens using these products because we have no clue how they are manufactured. I’ve already heard about high school-age children in my district getting sick after using delta-8 THC, so they are finding ways to access it.”
Schwank also noted that the outlandish flavors these products come in seem to be geared towards teenagers.
“The omission of delta-8 THC from federal regulation has left us with a legally defined ‘hemp’ product with psychotropic effects that exists outside PA’s Medical Marijuana Program and may be accessible to those under the age of 21,” Street said. “It was never the intent for hemp to get anyone high. It is important that consumers are aware of what they are purchasing, and it is our responsibility as government to ensure safety and consumer protection. This legislation fixes this problem and reminds us of the importance of a well-regulated and secure market for cannabis.”
You can read the full co-sponsor memo here.
###
March 25, 2022
Reading, PA – March 25, 2022 – This morning Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th) and Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-126th) spoke at Kutztown University’s 18th Annual Community Forum about SB 163 and HB 1140, which would require public employees and licensed medical professionals to receive bias training once every two years.
Public and private school teachers would also be required to receive training as well as faculty members at trade schools and institutions of higher learning. The two bills are companion pieces of legislation Schwank and Rozzi are working together to advance in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Kutztown University’s Social Work Department worked closely with the legislators on developing the bills.
The legislation defines social bias as, “A belief or set of associations about an individual or a group of individuals based upon physical characteristics, race, ethnicity, gender, age, religious creed or sexual orientation which can result in the inaccurate attribution of particular qualities to the individual or group of individuals.”
“This legislation would help public servants and medical professionals better understand how their actions, regardless of intention, might be perceived by individuals of a different sexual orientation, race or religious background,” Schwank said. “The training and support provided by these bills are non-controversial and necessary to help make Pennsylvania a welcoming place for everyone. Additionally, many private sector employees receive similar training to improve customer service and workplace performance.”
“Sen. Schwank and I worked closely with stakeholders, including Kutztown University, to write this bill,” Rozzi said. “Together, we were able to formulate what we believe is incredibly impactful legislation that would increase cultural competence throughout Pennsylvania with minimal capital investment. I’m so grateful for the positive responses we received from students today, the very demographic who would benefit from this bill’s passage.”
SB 163 was referred to the Pennsylvania State Intergovernmental Committee in February of 2021 and is yet to receive a vote. Likewise, HB 1140 was referred to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives State Government Committee in April of 2021 and is yet to receive consideration.
###
March 18, 2022
Reading – March 18, 2022 – Sen. Judy Schwank hosted the second session of her annual model senate program today at the Muhlenberg Township Municipal Building.
During the second session, over 40 high school students from local school districts participated in committee hearings with experts based in Berks County and in Harrisburg. Experts included Assistant Berks County District Attorney Justin Bodor, Executive Director of the Berks County Medical Society T.J. Huckleberry, Executive Director of the Berks Business Education Coalition Solomon Lausch, and members of Schwank’s staff.
Committee hearings are an important part of being a legislator,” Schwank told the students. “When you get into committee, you have to come ready to ask questions and get into the fine details of the legislation. If it’s going to move forward and become law, you don’t want any surprises down the road.”
After the committee hearings, the students returned to their respective caucuses and discussed what they learned about the bills being considered. Brady Detwiler, a junior from Governor Mifflin, said he enjoyed getting a chance to hear from experts about the pieces of legislation.
“It’s been amazing to meet a lot of people from different fields and get their perspective on the bills we are considering,” Detwiler said. “Having the opportunity to ask questions about the bills allowed me to get a better understanding and see that a bill might look good on paper but there is a lot that needs to be considered when you are drafting legislation and there are many factors that aren’t obvious at first.”
Anna Kate Gwiazdowski, a senior for Schuylkill Valley, reflected on everything she’s learned during model senate so far and talked about the connections she’s made with other students.
“It’s been a really valuable opportunity meeting students from other schools in the county and getting different opinions on issues that affect all of us,” Gwiazdowski said. “Learning about the legislative process has been eye-opening. I’m really getting a sense of what Senators do.”
Next month the students will join Schwank in Harrisburg where they will be introduced before the Pennsylvania Senate and then hold their own senate session where they vote on the bills they have chosen.
###
March 10, 2022
Harrisburg, PA − March 10, 2022 − The co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus (WHC), Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Montgomery, Delaware), Representative Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia) and Representative Mary Jo Daley (D-Narberth), released the following joint statement to express the caucus’ gratitude on Abortion Provider Appreciation Day:
“Today, March 10, 2022, is Abortion Provider Appreciation Day. We would like to take the opportunity to thank abortion providers across Pennsylvania as they continue to provide vital healthcare services in the face of these unprecedented attacks on the right to choose and under the additional pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While we are facing attacks on abortion access at every level- and in every shape and form anti-abortion legislators can imagine- it is crucial that we uplift abortion providers who are persevering through this political climate to provide comprehensive reproductive healthcare for their patients.
Join us in thanking abortion providers across the nation today!”
###
February 18, 2022
Reading – February 18, 2022 – Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) welcomed roughly 40 students from local high schools to her office in Muhlenberg Township to participate in the first of three sessions for her annual model senate program.
After a year off due to the pandemic, the model senate has returned. Since 2013, Schwank has invited students from local public and private schools in her district to participate in the program. The model senate consists of three days, two of which take place at Schwank’s district office and the final day at the State Capitol Complex in Harrisburg.
Today, the students elected a governor and leadership positions for each caucus. After that, each caucus met separately to discuss the bills they will consider during committee hearings. Each student is assigned to a committee. During the upcoming session in March, each committee will hold hearings with an expert testifier and ask questions about the bills that are being considered.
Students are given a packet of suggested bills but are encouraged to make changes or come up with their own. Many of the bills in the packet are based on real legislation currently being considered in the Pennsylvania Senate.
“Over the years, we’ve had great success with the model senate,” Schwank said. “The students seem to have a lot of fun doing it and hopefully they come away with a better understanding of government and the legislative process. Now more than ever, I think it’s important for kids who are interested in politics and government to get an idea of how things really work and start getting an idea of how they can be a positive influence.”
Schwank also said she believes the model senate is an opportunity for students to get a feel for government before they enter college and decide which major and career path they’d like to pursue.
##
February 9, 2022
Harrisburg, PA − February 9, 2022 − The co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus (WHC) applaud Governor Tom Wolf for his budget proposal that utilizes the nearly $6 billion budget surplus and puts Pennsylvania on the path to make historic investments in education, criminal justice, and public health.
We are proud to see numerous proposals related to the health and wellness of women and families across the Commonwealth, specifically:
- $8 million to extend postpartum coverage for birthing parents eligible for Medical Assistance to 12 months.
- $15 million, a 77% increase, to implement additional evidence-based home visiting and family support services to 3,800 additional families across the Commonwealth.
- $1.2 million to add postpartum depression as an eligible tracking category for early identification of need for early intervention services.
- $500,000, a 50% increase, to support “It’s On Us PA”, which promotes healthy relationships and protects students from sexual violence.
- $30 million to fund two new childcare options for state employees.
- $1 million for reentry services to women.
- Increase in the minimum wage: proposing an increase to $12 an hour effective July 1, 2022, with an annual increase of 50 cents until it reaches $15 in 2028.
“I’m thrilled to see many proposals geared towards expanding healthcare coverage, increasing access to childcare, and broadening evidence-based home visiting,” said Senator Amanda Cappelletti, WHC co-chair, (D-Montgomery/Delaware). “While these plans are a step in the right direction, our Caucus will be fighting to eliminate using taxpayer dollars to fund anti-abortion centers, which are proven to use deceptive practices to trick people into carrying their pregnancies to term. This funding is an embarrassment to Pennsylvania and must come to an end.”
Notably, included in the proposal is the expansion of Medical Assistance for postpartum individuals for up to 12 months. This investment in a crucial part of the #OptInPA campaign that our caucus has been championing for months. Nationally, the United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates when compared to similarly wealthy countries. Growing evidence shows that the postpartum period lasts longer than 60 days and extending coverage for a full year can reduce maternal mortality rates and improve outcomes for both mothers and children.
“We’ve been fortunate to have a Governor and administrative team that understands the importance of maternal health. The funding for postpartum services in this year’s budget, which has been a priority of the Women’s Health Caucus, is very promising,” said Senator Judy Schwank, WHC co-chair (D-Berks). “Additionally, investments to bolster child care and pre-k will allow women who have left the workplace during the pandemic to return. I believe this proposal recognizes the opportunity we have to make big investments in working families from every corner of this commonwealth. Overall, I’m pleased with the Governor’s budget and I’m grateful for his continued commitment to the women and families of Pennsylvania.”
“At its heart, we all know that a state budget is a financial plan which reflects our priorities. Prioritizing women’s health means prioritizing Pennsylvania’s families,” said Representative Morgan Cephas, WHC co-chair (D-Philadelphia). “I am glad to see support for postpartum care, reentry services, and family support services amongst many other provisions announced in the Governor’s 2022 proposal.”
For more information on the proposals put forth in Governor Tom Wolf’s budget, see here.
Follow the Women’s Health Caucus on Twitter and Facebook. Check out our website here.
###
February 1, 2022
Reading − February 1, 2022 – On Thursday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m., Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) will be hosting a virtual event on student mental health via zoom.
The event is open to the public and will feature four Berks County based experts who have been working to address mental health needs in schools. Participants can submit questions to be answered before or during the event.
“Everywhere I go, this is a topic people want to talk about,” Schwank said. “The pandemic has been a difficult time for students and parents alike. Each day, students can’t say for certain what the school day will look like, or if the event they’ve been looking forward to will take place or be canceled. More and more, we are seeing the uncertainty the pandemic has brought take a toll on students. That’s why I want to give parents an opportunity to get answers to the questions they have about what can be done to help kids be healthy and successful in school.”
Panelists will include:
- Michelle Reichard-Huff, Director of Early Childhood & Student Services at BCIU
- Anne Fisher, Director of Student Support at Reading School District
- Pam Seaman, Berks County Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Program Administrator at County of Berks
- Marybeth Torchia, Superintendent of Boyertown Area School District
To register or submit a question, please visit senatorschwank.com/mentalhealth. A recording of the event will be posted to the same link the following day.
###
January 26, 2022
Reading – January 26, 2022 – This afternoon, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) announced the Berks Community Action Program, Inc. (BCAP) received $600,000 for violence prevention initiatives.
Over $24 million in Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) grant funding was distributed statewide. A previous round of funding, which was approved in December, awarded an additional $15,708,048 across the commonwealth bringing the combined total of December and January awards to $39,949,901.
BCAP plans to use the funding to support and grow a multitude of services it’s established to combat poverty and engage youth in positive social and educational activities. All these efforts aim to reduce and eliminate gang involvement and gun violence in Berks County. Additionally, BCAP has plans to deploy a trained outreach specialist in conjunction with other trained staff from partner organizations to interact with youths engaged in gang activity and gun violence.
“When you look at the proposal BCAP put together, it’s very clear a lot of thought about what our community needs was put into this application,” Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) said. “Having professionals who are trained to go out in communities and interact with young people who aren’t headed down the right path is absolutely invaluable. This funding will ensure BCAP has the resources they need to continue making a positive impact on Berks County. I applaud BCAP for the work they do and the PCCD for continuing to direct financial resources to Berks County.”
###
January 21, 2022
Reading – January 21, 2022 – Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) applauded today’s awarding of $176,798 in Safe Schools Targeted Grants to Berks County school districts by Gov. Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
“Every investment we can make in school safety is worthwhile in my eyes,” Schwank said. “It’s important schools that have identified safety needs and have plans in place to make improvements have the resources they need to get things done. I give Gov. Wolf and the Department of Education credit for recognizing school safety is something worth investing in and for making sure Berks County received its fair share.”
The following schools in Berks County received funding.
Equipment Grant Awardees:
- Antietam School District- $25,000
- Fleetwood Area School District- $24,980
- Oley Valley School District- 24,999
Program Grant Awardees:
- Antietam School District- $20,000
- Oley Valley School District- $19,999
Additionally, three non-public schools received a total of $61,820 in Equipment Grants. Statewide, $8 million was awarded to 303 learning education agencies.
###
