Senator Schwank

BCIU to help Reading School District with money troubles

erementer — Sat, 19 May 2012 10:02:12 +0000

READING, Pa. – The state is going to try to help Reading School District officials as they try to close a $40 million budget shortfall.

The Department of Education sent school officials a letter Thursday.

In the letter, the department said the executive director of the Berks County Intermediate Unit will assist the district with financial concerns. >>Read more…

Schwank: Recycling Grants Awarded in Berks County

erementer — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:44:24 +0000

READING, May 18, 2012 — Two local municipalities have been awarded significant state grants for their recycling efforts, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank.

Exeter Township received an $83,897 Recycling Performance Grant based on the 8,808 tons recycled for 2010 and the township’s population.

Muhlenberg Township received a $44,022 Recycling Performance Grant based on the 5,515.8 tons recycled for 2010 and the township’s population.

“Recycling helps the environment and promotes an industry that supports jobs and our economy,” Schwank said. “I’m pleased that the state continues to support community efforts to recycle.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protections’ Recycling Performance Grant Program provides incentives to help Pennsylvania communities increase the amount of materials recovered through recycling and promote economic growth through job creation and market expansion.

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Society of Farm Women of Pennsylvania celebrate rural life

erementer — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:56:13 +0000

Joanna Dreibelbis took the stage and started to sing. Her voice, which started soft and quiet, soon became strong and loud.

Every note was clear and as she began the second verse, about 170 voices slowly joined in.

“God bless America,” they sang, voices resounding on Wednesday in the Berks County 4-H Farm Center in Bern Township. “My home, sweet home.” >>Read more…

Schwank says state could help city schools

erementer — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:11:40 +0000

Facing an overwhelming budget crisis, the Reading School District would accept help from the state, according to a local legislator.

State Sen. Judy Schwank on Tuesday sent a letter to Ron Tomalis, state secretary of education, in support of state assistance in preparing the district’s 2012-13 budget. >>Read more…

Heroes Breakfast lauds actions of 14

erementer — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:10:45 +0000

The late Berks County Deputy Sheriff Kyle D. Pagerly and his K-9 partner Jynx were among 14 honored Thursday by the American Red Cross, Berks County Chapter, at its eighth annual Heroes Breakfast.

Pagerly was shot and killed in an ambush June 29 while leading a task force into woods near Hawk Mountain searching for a fugitive. Jynx grabbed the mortally wounded Pagerly and another officer and dragged them out of the line of fire. >>Read more…

State Sen. Judy Schwank Rallies to Restore Funding to Programs Assisting Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

cmbrown — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:15:14 +0000

May 8, 2012 - At a rally today in Harrisburg, people with disabilities, advocates, families, service organizations and supporters called on the state legislature to oppose the proposed 20 percent in state budget cuts to programs that support individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Sen. Shirley Kitchen (D-Phila.) said individuals with intellectual disabilities thrive when they receive ongoing support, and community-based services are crucial and needed more than ever.

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“You would think that we’d want to secure more funding for the programs that help this population of individuals. Instead, it has become one of the governor’s targets for budget,” Kitchen said. “I am outraged that this administration has yet again put its sights on the Department of Public Welfare to make debilitating cuts.”

Critics rally for bill to abolish property taxes in Pa.

erementer — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:08:48 +0000

HARRISBURG, Pa. -Scores of citizen activists staged a rally inside the Pennsylvania Capitol on Monday to protest property taxes.

The demonstrators cheered sponsors of legislation that would replace local property taxes with higher personal-income and sales taxes.

They said the property tax is a form of tyranny that can drive people out of their homes simply because they can’t afford to pay. >>Read more…

Senator sponsors cleanup effort

erementer — Sun, 06 May 2012 11:18:34 +0000

Nearly 100 volunteers spread across Berks County spent Saturday morning picking up trash as part of a cleanup sponsored by state Sen. Judy Schwank.

“We collected a lot of bags of trash, and a couple places are cleaner as a result,” the senator, a Ruscombmanor Township Democrat, said of the effort, which extended from Kutztown to Mount Penn and into Reading.

The event came as part of this year’s Great Pennsylvania Cleanup. >>Read more…

Health center gets grant to increase access

erementer — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:05:46 +0000

he Berks Community Health Center has received a $500,000 state grant to increase access to primary health care services at a new facility to open in Reading in June.

The money comes from the Community Primary Care Challenge Grant program under the state Department of Health, state Sen. Judy Schwank and state Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone announced Tuesday. >>Read more…

Mifflin Park Elementary holds annual ECO-Fest

erementer — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:35:41 +0000

Mifflin Park Elementary School recently held its third annual ECO-Fest, which teaches students about the environment through activities like a litter walk and stream testing.

The event, organized by the Mifflin Park PTO, also celebrates the school’s designation as an environmentally “green” building and showcases sustainable products and services in the community. >>Read more…