Press Releases

Schwank, Caltagirone: Reading School District Awarded Significant Federal Grant

READING, Jan. 19, 2012 — Reading School District has been awarded a 0,000 federal grant to help foster after-school educational programs, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank and state Rep. Tom Caltagirone. Reading was one of 17 school districts across the state to receive the 21st Century Community Learning Center… Continue reading →

Schwank: Enroll in PA 529 College Savings Plan Now for Tax Savings

Free enrollment is now available for a limited time. READING, Dec. 23, 2011—State Sen. Judy Schwank today said families who open or contribute to a Pennsylvania 529 College Savings account before Dec. 31 will be able to enroll for free and reduce their 2011 Pennsylvania state taxable income. “It is… Continue reading →

Schwank: 291 Acres of Farmland Preserved in Berks County

HARRISBURG, Dec. 15, 2011 — An additional 291 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at 6,000 that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Preservation Board member. According to the senator,… Continue reading →

Schwank Opposes Plan to Keep Berks Divided into Four Congressional Districts

HARRISBURG, Dec. 14, 2011 — State Sen. Judy Schwank today issued the following statement on legislation that redraws the Congressional map in Pennsylvania into 18 districts, which passed the Senate today by a (26-24) vote: “This map is a travesty and there’s no reasonable explanation from what I can see,”… Continue reading →

Schwank: Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Deadline Approaching

HARRISBURG, December 14, 2011 – State Sen. Judy Schwank reminds eligible citizens that the application for the state property tax/rent rebate is due Dec. 31. “Last year, more than 31,000 Berks County residents collected .7 million in rebates. That’s significant savings,” Schwank said. “In this economy, folks can benefit from… Continue reading →

Schwank Asks PUC to Come Up with An Action Plan to Improve the Performance of Utilities in Future Weather Emergencies

READING, Nov. 23, 2011 — After receiving public input on the recent storm-related power outages that occurred in Berks County, State Sen. Judy Schwank provided the results of a storm-related power outage survey, she recently conducted, to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and asked the Commission to come up with… Continue reading →

Schwank Honors EMS Communications Award Recipient

READING, Nov. 22, 2011– State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th dist.) presents a Senate citation to Craig Breneiser of Reading at the Nov. 21 Pennsylvania State EMS Awards dinner, hosted by the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council. Breneiser was this year’s recipient of the 2011 EMS Communications Award. Breneiser served Berks… Continue reading →

Schwank: Environment an Afterthought in Natural Gas Drilling Impact Fee Bill

HARRISBURG, Nov. 15, 2011 — State Sen. Judy Schwank today issued the following statement on legislation that creates a Marcellus Shale impact fee (Senate Bill 1100), which passed the Senate today by a (29-20) vote: “We have a responsibility to restore and protect our ground water and streams, but Senate… Continue reading →

Schwank Seeks Residents’ Feedback on Storm-Related Power Outages

READING, Nov. 9, 2011—State Sen. Judy Schwank is seeking the public’s input on the recent storm that brought winter weather to Berks County and left hundreds of thousands of residents without power. “While we couldn’t anticipate the scope of this pre-winter snowfall, it left many residents in the cold and… Continue reading →

Schwank Applauds Senate Passage of Ban on Texting While Driving

HARRISBURG, Nov. 1, 2011 — State Sen. Judy Schwank said today’s Senate passage of a statewide ban on texting while driving sends a clear message to drivers: “Keep both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.” Senate Bill 314, which passed the Senate by a 45-5 vote, prohibits… Continue reading →

Schwank: Bern, Colebrookdale Townships Receive Recycling Grants

READING, Oct. 28, 2011— State Sen. Judy Schwank announced today that two Berks County townships will receive state grants to maintain their recycling programs. Bern Township will receive a ,211 grant, which is based on the 1,261.9 tons recycled for 2009 and the township’s population. Colebrookdale Township will receive a… Continue reading →

Schwank Opposes School Vouchers Bill

Her proposed amendment to improve the legislation failed along party lines HARRISBURG, Oct. 26, 2011 — Concerned that school vouchers legislation would hurt the public school students who would be left behind in its wake, state Sen. Judy Schwank today voted against Senate Bill 1. The bill passed the Senate… Continue reading →

Schwank Helps Secure Significant Funds for Virginville Sewer Project

READING, Oct. 26, 2011 — A sewer project in Virginville, Richmond Township will receive significant state funding to relieve residential septic system issues, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, who was instrumental in ensuring that the project would receive appropriate financial support. Richmond Township will receive a ,095,351grant and a… Continue reading →

Senator Schwank: Testimony shows it’s time to change laws for municipalities

Harrisburg, October 20, 2011 – Testimony before a joint legislative hearing today strongly supports the call for changing the authority and restrictions in Pennsylvania law relating to municipal government, state Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said after the hearing. “It’s obvious that our current laws no longer give communities the tools they need to look after their… Continue reading →

Senate Democrats Seek to Augment ‘PA Works Now’ Plan

Day Care, Adult Care, Job Training, School-to-Work Transition, and Green Jobs are Targeted HARRISBURG, October 18, 2011 – - Today members of the Senate Democratic caucus unveiled legislation to be introduced this week to supplement the “PA Works Now” job creation plan, which has become the centerpiece of their agenda… Continue reading →