July 3, 2012
The Reading School District is slated to get an extra $3.7 million from the state, but if the district wants to use it, it will have to jump through a few hoops.
The funding comes from money recently approved to aid a group of financially distressed schools. But of the districts getting money, only Reading will find strings attached.
State Sen. Judy Schwank was able to add an amendment to the school codes bills, which was signed by Gov. Tom Corbett on Monday, that requires Reading to have its spending plan for the money approved by the state Department of Education. >>Read more…
July 2, 2012
State Sen. 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, “It pushes costs down to local government and counties and, ultimately, the taxpayer.” >>Read more…
June 30, 2012
A $27.7 billion state budget for 2012-13 is headed to Gov. Tom Corbett for his signature.
Elected officials representing Berks County were in session or meetings most of the day. Those who could be reached explained how they voted and why.
Sen. Judy Schwank, Ruscombmanor Township Democrat: “I was a no vote on the (budget) appropriations bill because it pushes the costs down to local government and counties and ultimately the taxpayers. >>Read more…
June 30, 2012
HARRISBURG — The debate over a $27.66 billion state budget for 2012-13 went into its final furlong Friday as the state Senate gave its approval to the spending plan and lawmakers moved key pieces of supporting legislation into place to meet a midnight Saturday deadline.
The Republican-controlled chamber voted 32-17 along party lines to approve the fiscal document, which provides state colleges and universities, public schools and libraries with the same amount of money they currently receive but ends a program that provided direct cash assistance to nearly 70,000 of the state’s neediest citizens. >>Read more…
June 19, 2012
HARRISBURG — An additional 34 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $85,250 dollars that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Preservation Board member. >>Read more…
June 15, 2012
The Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board has approved an additional 34 acres of Berks County farmland through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $85,250.
The land, owned by Frank and Carol Szarko, is along the Manatawny Creek in Oley Township.
“Agriculture is a significant economic driver in Berks County,” said state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Berks Democrat and board member. >>Read more…
June 7, 2012
The proposed property tax elimination was of particular interest during a Town Hall Meeting hosted by Senator Judy Schwank last Thursday.
Held in the Kutztown Borough Train Station, Kutztown area residents questioned how the proposed property tax elimination would work, how it would affect school funding and how funds would be distributed to districts. >>Read more…
June 4, 2012
“Enough is enough” was the first slogan repeated during a rally held Saturday to send a message to Gov. Tom Corbett.
“Remember in November” was the second, addressed to elected officials who support Corbett’s policies.
The final theme was just one word: “unless.” >>Read more…
June 1, 2012
Elimination of the school property tax dominated the conversation at a town hall meeting Thursday with state Sen. Judy Schwank.
The Ruscombmanor Township Democrat told about 50 people in Kutztown’s railroad station that she is a co-sponsor of a proposal by Sen. David G. Argall, a Schuylkill County Republican. >>Read more…
May 19, 2012
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…
May 17, 2012
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…
May 16, 2012
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…
May 11, 2012
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…
May 7, 2012
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…
May 6, 2012
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…
May 2, 2012
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…
May 1, 2012
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…
May 1, 2012
The planned Berks Community Health Center in Reading has been selected to receive a Community Primary Care Challenge Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank and state Rep. Thomas Caltagirone.
The health center is expected to open in June at the site of Reading Hospital’s health dispensary at 838 Penn St. >>Read more…
April 26, 2012
READING, Pa. – A $10 million loan will be used to help Reading upgrade its aging sewer system.
The low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority will be put toward replacing the existing force main, said Pa. Sen. Judy Schwank and Pa. Rep. Tom Caltagirone, both Berks County Democrats. >>Read more…
April 20, 2012
The state Agricultural Land Preservation Board has added another 57 acres of Berks County farmland to the program, bringing the total acreage preserved in Berks to 64,640, state Sen. Judy Schwank announced Thursday.
The Brecknock Township farm is owned by Mark and Kim Weber. >>Read more…
April 19, 2012
READING, Pa. – Proposed cuts in the Reading School District are sending shock waves through the community.
Now, Pa. Sen. Judy Schwank is taking a closer look at the budget crisis, but the problem, she said, is that there may be very little the state can do.
Members of the Reading School Board have some tough choices to make in the next two months in order to fill a $53 million deficit. >>Read more…
April 17, 2012
State Sen. Judy Schwank is partnering with Spring Clean Berks, in conjunction with The Great American Clean Up, to hold an upcoming cleanup initiative in the 11th Senatorial District.
Individuals of all ages are welcome to volunteer at the cleanup, which will take place on Saturday, May 5, from 9 a.m. to noon at various Berks County sites to be determined. >>Read more…
April 17, 2012
As firefighters continue to manage a wildfire in southeastern Berks County, state Sen. Judy Schwank reminds residents to be extra cautious about preventing a wildfire.
“A warm winter and dry, windy spring have become favorable conditions for wildfires in Berks County, as we’re now seeing in French Creek State Park,” Schwank said. “Because the plant life in our parks and forests is still dry and dormant, these fires can catch easily and spread rapidly, threatening wildlife, residential communities and the safety of our firefighters. It’s extremely important that all citizens take precautions to prevent a fire, whether they live in an urban, suburban or rural community.” >>Read more…
April 3, 2012
Members of the Berks County Grange asked questions on topics ranging from drug crimes to the voter ID law during the group’s annual Legislative Banquet.
Public officials, including state Sen. Judy Schwank and Berks County Commissioner Kevin S. Barnhardt, took questions from about 110 people in the Fleetwood Grange Hall. >>Read more…
April 3, 2012
State Sen. Judy Schwank, a democrat who represents part of Berks County, said the proposed 2012-2013 education budget will create more problems than it solves.
“It looks good on paper,” Schwank said. “But more cuts are going to hurt students that need help the most. It’s not a solution. I think we are going to pay for it down the road.”
That’s why Schwank has proposed a program called the Priority Assistance Grant for Education, or PAGE, that would direct $30 million to 18 school districts in academic or financial distress. >>Read more…
