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Harrisburg, Oct. 8, 2015 - Additional acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved following today's approval of the purchase of conservation easements by the state Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks). Schwank, who...

Schwank Urges Commonwealth to Stop ‘Balance Billing’

HARRISBURG, Oct. 1, 2015 – With many Pennsylvanians suffering “sticker shock” when they get a bill for medical procedures they believed their insurance company would cover, state Sen. Judy Schwank today urged the commonwealth to stop the practice of so-called “balance...

The Pennsylvania Report October 2015 :: District Office Services

The Pennsylvania Report October 2015 :: District Transportation Projects

Schwank’s ‘College Financial Aid Awareness Night’ to Offer Helpful Info

READING, Sept. 24, 2015 – Students, parents and others who have questions about paying for college will want to save Oct. 1 on their calendars so they can benefit from Sen. Judy Schwank’s annual “College Financial Aid Awareness Night.” The free event will run from 7...

54-Acre Arnold Farm Now Protected, Sen. Schwank Announces

HARRISBURG, Aug. 13, 2015 – A 54-acre tract in Tulpehocken Township, Berks County, is now under the commonwealth’s farmland preservation shield, state Sen. Judy Schwank said today. Lawrence and Donna Arnold received nearly $135,000 in conservation easements in...

Pennsylvania Report August 2015 :: Agriculture in PA

State Grant Opp for Businesses Working to Stop Pollution, Improve Energy Efficiency, Schwank Says

READING, July 29, 2015 – Businesses working to save electricity or protect the environment can now apply for a state grant for pollution prevention and energy conservation projects, Sen. Judy Schwank said today. The Department of Environmental Protection’s Small...

Next Phase of Reading Waste Water Treatment Facility Upgrade to Happen with Approval of $37M PENNVEST Loan, Sen. Schwank, Reps. Caltagirone, Rozzi Report

HARRISBURG, July 22, 2015 – The ongoing rejuvenation of Reading’s treatment facilities today counted the approval of a $37.2 million low-interest loan for the replacement of the Fritz Island solid waste treatment plant. Just as it approved an $84.6 million loan in...

Statewide Conservation Group Honors Sen. Schwank With ‘Legislator Leadership Award’

MONROEVILLE, July 8, 2015 – State Sen. Judy Schwank – who has worked to protect Berks County farmland, enhance open spaces throughout Pennsylvania, and safeguard natural resources – has been named a “legislative leader” by the organization that advocates for the...

Sen. Schwank: Republican Budget Fails Property Taxpayers in Berks County

HARRISBURG, June 30, 2015 – Ignoring Berks County residents’ call for relief from skyrocketing property tax bills, the Republican state legislature today steamrolled its $30.2 billion budget, absent the support of state Sen. Judy Schwank. Schwank said the General...

Senator Schwank Comments on Passage of the PA State Budget

Avian Influenza Not Yet in PA, But Sen. Schwank Says State Ready to Act

HARRISBURG, June 26, 2015 – Because the latest avian influenza outbreak has wiped out 50 million birds across the country and appears to be headed this way, Sen. Judy Schwank is working with state agriculture officials as they develop response and recovery plans should the disease strike in Pennsylvania.

More Berks Co. Farmland Preserved Today, Schwank Says

HARRISBURG, June 11, 2015 – Berks County’s farmland preservation movement expanded today when a state panel added another 280 acres to the commonwealth’s preservation program. Sen. Judy Schwank, who is a member of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board,...

8 Berks County Organizations to Get $260k State Investment to Target Underage, Dangerous Drinking, Schwank, Caltagirone Announce

READING, June 11, 2015 – Berks County communities working to help teenagers and young adults better understand the consequences of drinking and alcohol abuse today received nearly $260,000 in grants from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Sen. Judy Schwank, Rep....

Sen. Schwank Floor Remarks on Minimum Wage

Berks Senators introduce work zone safety measure

HARRISBURG, June 8, 2015 – Holly Doppel of Lenhartsville emailed Senators David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) and Judy Schwank (D-Berks) after she read the lawmakers were interested in spearheading a bipartisan effort to strengthen safety in work zones. Doppel was...

New Books, Free Ice Cream Heading to Glenside Elementary, Sen. Schwank Says

READING, May 27, 2015 – Students at one of Reading elementary schools will receive new books and free ice cream sandwiches at 1:45 p.m., Friday, May 29, thanks to donations by the United Way and a local Dairy Queen, Sen. Judy Schwank said today. Schwank is a tutor in...

Gov’s Proposal to Improve Workforce Skills Now Before Committee as Schwank Bill

READING, May 14, 2015 – One of Pennsylvania’s champions for education has converted Gov. Tom Wolf’s idea for career and technical instruction into a proposal that is now before a Senate committee for consideration. Sen. Judy Schwank’s Senate Bill 114 would deliver as...

Senator Schwank Comments on Proposed Work Zone Safety Legislation

Schwank to Host Town Hall in Mohnton

READING, May 12, 2015 – Residents of Mohnton and south central Berks County can learn more about choosing their electricity generator and getting the latest from Harrisburg during Sen. Judy Schwank’s next town hall meeting. The 90-minute get-together will start at 7...

Legislation to Protect Construction Zone Workers Detailed

Harrisburg – May 12, 2015 – After a recent series of accidents in construction zones, a bipartisan group of senators and state officials detailed legislation today that’s designed to protect workers in the zones. Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) was...

Bipartisan House-Senate caucus unveils Pa. Agenda for Women’s Health

HARRISBURG, May 11 – Members of the legislature's Women’s Health Caucus today unveiled their "Pennsylvania Agenda for Women's Health" for the new session at a Capitol news conference. The caucus is co-chaired by Reps. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, and Frank Farry,...

Senator Schwank Voices Her Support for Increasing the Minimum Wage

Pennsylvania Report May 2015 :: State Budget

Senator Schwank Hosts All About You Youth Expo

Gather with friends and family members while getting important information that will help you now and in your future! Join us Thursday, May 7th from 5:30-7:30 PM at Reading High School’s Main Café. Come and learn about: How to obtain a driver’s license Recreational...

State Senate Hearing in Reading Focuses on Struggles of ex-offenders Seeking Work

Reading – April 28, 2015 – At the request of state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a roundtable discussion on employment challenges facing people with criminal records. “While acknowledging that reasonable restrictions...

Sen. Schwank to Host Senate Discussion in Reading on Employment Challenges for People with Criminal Records

At the request of state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks), the state Senate Democratic Policy Committee is coming to Reading to hold a roundtable discussion on employment challenges facing people with criminal records. The meeting will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday,...

Sens. Schwank, Rafferty Announce Pivotal $5.3M State Investment for Geigertown

HARRISBURG, April 22, 2015 – Residents of a southeastern Berks County community will enjoy better drinking water following the completion of a sanitary sewer project that today was awarded a $5.3 million investment from the commonwealth. State Sens. Judy Schwank...

$84.6M State Investment to Help Reading Better Protect Environment, Create Jobs, Sen. Schwank, Reps. Caltagirone, Rozzi Declare

HARRISBURG, April 22, 2015 – The City of Reading will get a much needed boost in its ongoing efforts to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant, meet the terms of a federal order, and protect the quality of the Schuylkill River with the approval today of an $84.6...

With More Than $9M Awarded in 2014-15, Sen. Schwank Says College Students Should Act to Get PHEAA Grant Before May 1 Deadline

HARRISBURG, April 17, 2015 – With the May 1 deadline quickly approaching, state Sen. Judy Schwank today reminded Berks County students who are headed to college or are renewing their application to apply soon for a state grant. During the 2014-’15 academic year, the...