HARRISBURG — As public school safety has been a concern, a state Senate committee Wednesday shifted the magnifying glass onto colleges, parochial schools and preschools. The comments and testimony came one month after several public school and law enforcement officials from across the state told the same Senate panel that armed officers in public K-12 [...]

Public school districts in Pennsylvania have been complaining for years about the growing costs of cyber charter schools. When a student decides to take classes with a cyber charter school, the home district pays the tuition. In Berks County this year, it’s costing schools a combined $16 million. But that could change if state Sen. [...]

State Sen. Judy Schwank greeted state Agriculture Secretary George Greig with a big smile and a handshake Wednesday night. “Welcome back,” she said. “We’re glad to have you.” The two met at the Kutztown Rotary Club’s annual Rural-Urban Night at the Kutztown Grange Hall. After their handshake, they spent the evening talking to Rotarians and [...]

Gov. Tom Corbett’s plan to turn management of the state lottery over to Camelot Global Services, operators of the British national lottery, took some state legislators who represent Berks County by surprise. They said they’re asking lots of questions and learning more about the pros and cons. Sen. Judy Schwank, Ruscombmanor Township Democrat: “I’m convinced [...]

Months of talk about scheduling a crime summit in Reading culminated Monday afternoon when staffers of Gov. Tom Corbett said he would be available to attend Jan. 18, and local officials immediately set about planning the summit. Mayor Vaughn D. Spencer said the inability to pin down a date with Corbett had slowed planning. The [...]

While multiple independent efforts push toward scheduling a crime summit for Reading – including a pre-summit planning session set for Monday in the offices of state Sen. Judy Schwank – business executives are casting votes on the city’s tarnished image with their feet. New executives hired by Berks companies are choosing to live in Chester [...]

About 75 people turned out to the Stirling Guest Hotel in Reading on Saturday for a cocktail party to honor the 100th anniversary of Hadassah, a national Jewish women’s organization. The Reading Chapter of Hadassah hosted the party, which featured hors d’oeuvers and live music. State Sen. Judy Schwank, a Ruscombmanor Township Democrat and member [...]

(Harrisburg) — A new state law aimed to reduce underage drinking and public drunkenness goes into effect next month. The bill was developed in close consultation with law enforcement in college towns across Pennsylvania. Senator Judy Schwank represents Berks County, which is home to five colleges. The Democrat says the new law will send a [...]

As concerns of gang violence and gang recruitment grow in Reading, this week’s Senate passage of anti-gang legislation [45-3 on Oct. 3] offers a step toward deterring this disturbing activity that plagues neighborhoods and recruits children, state Sen. Judy Schwank said. House Bill 1121 would make recruiting criminal street gang members a crime and would [...]

The Commonwealth Court ruling Tuesday, Oct. 2, 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, state Sen. Judy Schwank said in a news release. “There have been many questions from voters all across the state on whether they had [...]