September 20, 2023
Reading – September 20, 2023 – Today, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) announces over $2 million in funding for Berks County-based agencies and organizations from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). This funding will deliver support and resources to keep Berks County residents safe in the places they call home.
“I am pleased that numerous organizations in Berks County have received much-needed funding to continue community safety initiatives,” said Schwank. “I extend my gratitude to the PCCD for allocating funds towards making Berks County a safer place to live. The services supported by this funding are essential and this group of recipients know how to deliver for the people of Berks County, so I’m thrilled to see their important work is being recognized and funded at the state level.”
The recipients are listed below:
Continuing County Adult Probation and Parole Grant Funds
- Berks County — $454,448 for CCAPPG Funds
Federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Funds
- Berks County Commissioners — $138,802 for enhancing services to Berks County Victims
- CASA of Berks County — $47,561 for the continuation of Child Victim Advocacy Services
- SAFE Berks — $1,196,413 for Safe Berks VOCA 2023-2025
- Community Justice Project — $45, 187 for Immigration Legal Services for Victims
- MidPenn Legal Services — $680,360 for Legal Interventions for Victims Empowerment – LIVE
Federal State Opioid Response (SOR) Funds
- Kutztown University — $82,648 for Phase IV: Continuation of Bridging AOD Misuse & MH
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August 21, 2023
Reading — August 21, 2023 — Today, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency announced that the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program application window is now open.
$5 million in funding is available from PCCD for nonprofits primarily serving individuals, groups, or institutions included in a bias motivation category for single-bias hate crime incidents as identified by the FBI’s 2017 Hate Crime Statistics publication. Awards range from $5,000 to $150,000 and can be used on the following items:
- Safety and security planning and training.
- Purchase of safety and security equipment and technology.
- Upgrades to existing structures that enhance safety and security.
- Vulnerability and threat assessments.
Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) was among the lawmakers to sponsor the legislation establishing the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program following the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting in 2018. Schwank said that the program has been well received and effective.
“The support this program receives in the budget year after year tells me that it’s helping many communities all over Pennsylvania,” Schwank said. “We’ve seen groups in Berks County take advantage of the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program, and I want to see that continue. I’m encouraging any eligible organizations with security needs to consider putting together an application.”
The deadline to apply is October 10, 2023. Applications can be submitted online here.
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August 4, 2023
Harrisburg, Pa. − August 4, 2023 — Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) and Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) announced today that all Pennsylvania students will once again have access to free school breakfast for the 2023-24 school year. This announcement follows yesterday’s budget signing by Governor Josh Shapiro, who has been a vocal advocate for extending the Universal School Breakfast program and expanding access to school lunches.
“Students will be heading back to school in the next few weeks and knowing that they will be able to start every day ready to learn with a healthy breakfast is a huge relief for families and schools,” said Senator Williams. “School meals are just as essential to learning as textbooks and pencils– students can’t learn when they’re hungry. I’m incredibly glad to see this program funded for the 2023-24 school year as we work to make this cornerstone of food security for students permanent.”
“Starting the day with a complete, nutritious meal sets students up for success in the classroom,” said Senator Schwank. “So many kids have benefitted from the federal funding for school breakfast over the past few years. It would have been wrong to roll back universal breakfast, considering how many of our students have come to rely on these meals. I’m incredibly proud that Pennsylvania has stepped up to continue to provide breakfast for our students in this year’s budget. I give a ton of credit to Gov. Shapiro for making this item a priority and delivering for Pennsylvania’s students.”
The Universal School Breakfast program was started by former Governor Tom Wolf during the 2022-23 school year after pandemic-era federal waivers that had given all students access to free school breakfast and lunch expired. Following advocacy from Senator Williams and others, Governor Wolf established the Universal School Breakfast Program to provide free breakfast for all Pennsylvania students enrolled in schools that participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. This program proved to be an enormous success, with many school districts seeing the number of students taking the opportunity to eat a healthy breakfast at school doubling from pre-pandemic numbers.
Senator Schwank and Senator Williams have introduced SB 180, the No Student Should Go Hungry – Universal School Meals bill, which would provide free school lunch and breakfast to all students who are not already covered through the federal free and reduced-price-meal and Community Eligibility Provision programs. The bill will also eliminate existing school lunch debt so both schools and families can have a fresh start. Rep. Emily Kinkead (D-20) has introduced companion legislation in the House.
Since the introduction of this legislation, locally elected school boards across the state have passed resolutions expressing their support for the Universal School Meals legislation. Schools such as the Fox Chapel Area School District have reported seeing a nearly 122% increase in breakfasts served daily since the implementation of Universal School Breakfasts. As the Resolution notes, “multiple studies show that students with access to free breakfast have improved attendance rates… improved participation rates, fewer behavioral incidents, lower suspension rates, and better health outcomes.”
Individuals can learn more about the Universal School Meals program and how it fits into combating child hunger here. You can also sign on to be a part of the citizen coalition urging legislators to support Universal School Meals legislation and fight child hunger here.
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August 2, 2023
Reading – August 2, 2023 – Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) has introduced a package of renter’s protection bills in the Pennsylvania Senate.
SB 859 would establish criteria for the voluntary acceptance of reusable tenant screening reports. Landlords use tenant screenings to gain vital information like credit ratings, criminal records and eviction history. As the renter’s market has become increasingly competitive, applicants often must apply for multiple apartments and shell out payments for each application. This places undue financial hardship on prospective renters. A reusable tenant screening is valid for 30 days.
SB 860 would establish a $25 rental application fee cap. Rental application fees can range from $25 to $75, often higher than the administrative costs associated with processing the application. The legislation would impose a cap limiting a landlord’s ability to overcharge prospective tenants and profit from application fees.
This legislation was introduced with Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) and is the companion to HB 366, introduced by Rep. MaryLouise Isaacson (D-Philadelphia).
The final bill in the package, SB 861, would create a yearly land rent increase cap for manufactured homes. Manufactured home communities provide a source of affordable housing for seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities on fixed incomes.
Since residents own the home but not the land it resides on, large companies can and have purchased these plots of land and substantially increased the lot rent. Such increases can leave residents on fixed incomes in a tenuous financial position. The bill would place a cap on land rent and protect manufactured homeowners from sharp land rent increases. The idea for this legislation was brought to Schwank by residents of Douglas Village in Berks County.
All three bills have the support of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
“In Pennsylvania, housing inequalities exist in every borough, township, city, and county,” said Adrian Garcia, PHRC Director of Fair Housing and Commercial Property. “As rent and monthly fees continue to rise, many who are on fixed incomes, which typically include seniors and individuals with disabilities, are forced to decide between paying their rent or paying for necessities. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission applauds Sen. Schwank for introducing these bills to protect renters in Pennsylvania. These bills are a step in the right direction to ensure everyone has access to safe and affordable housing.”
Schwank said the package of bills seeks to provide commonsense protections for renters throughout the commonwealth.
“Pennsylvania’s renters deserve to have someone looking out for them,” Schwank said. “We are facing a long list of issues when it comes to affordable housing, and renters especially have watched prices rise and eat into more and more of their earnings. For many, securing a safe, affordable place to call home becomes more difficult with each passing day. These bills will not fix all the issues renters face. However, they will provide a layer of badly needed protection.”
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July 18, 2023
Harrisburg, PA – July 18, 2023 – Today, Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Mongomery/Delaware) and Senator Judith Schwank (D-Berks) circulated a co-sponsorship memo detailing their intent to introduce a legislative package called the Abortion Protections Package. After the Dobbs v. Jackson decision that reversed Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, millions of Americans have been denied or struggled to access reproductive healthcare they need and deserve. This legislative package will include six bills that will offer protections to Pennsylvanians seeking reproductive care, out of state patients seeking reproductive care in Pennsylvania, and abortion providers.
“As the anti-abortion movement looks for more creative ways to punish people who are seeking the healthcare that they need and deserve, we must get proactive about offering protections to people who are seeking and providing reproductive care here in Pennsylvania,” said Senator Cappelletti. “This package will ensure the safety of patients who are getting the care they deserve and of our abortion providers – who we are grateful to have helping patients in a time of need. I’m hopeful my colleagues will see the vital need for these bills and will move this package forward with urgency once it is introduced.”
The Abortion Protections Package will be made up of six pieces of legislation that will:
- Prohibit Pennsylvania courts from cooperating with out-of-state civil and criminal cases involving reproductive healthcare services; prevent officials from other states from arresting individuals in Pennsylvania for an abortion-related crime.
- Prohibit Pennsylvania courts from enforcing another state’s judgment for a case involving the provision of reproductive healthcare services.
- Instruct healthcare licensure boards not to take adverse action against providers who offer reproductive healthcare services to out-of-state residents.
- Instruct insurance companies not to take adverse action against providers who offer reproductive healthcare services to out-of-state residents.
- Protect abortion providers’ home addresses from public discovery.
- Protect reproductive health care records from disclosure in civil actions or criminal investigations.
Taken together, these measures will ensure that everyone within our Commonwealth’s borders are protected in their right to access an abortion and the doctors and nurses who provide it are freely able to provide healthcare.
“This legislation would bolster Pennsylvania’s commitment to legal abortion while sending a clear message to neighboring states that we will not be bullied,” said Senator Schwank. “We’ve watched states all over the country race to implement archaic abortion bans since the Dobbs decision. In Pennsylvania, abortion remains safe and legal. Our providers should not be looking over their shoulder or fearful of potential out-of-state prosecution for rendering health care to their patients.”
Advocates agree that Pennsylvania needs to pass policies that will further protect reproductive rights and access in our Commonwealth, especially now, as we witness the fallout from the Dobbs decision across the nation.
“Abortion is still legal in Pennsylvania, and legislation like this bolsters the state’s commitment to protecting safe access to legal care during this critical time. Health care providers and patients shouldn’t live under the distress of potentially being targeted for providing or receiving health care. Our providers are medical experts who seek to give their patients the essential care they need, and they must be able to provide timely abortion care without fear or intimidation from state politicians, rogue prosecutors, and anti-abortion activists,” said Sydney Etheredge, CEO of Planned Parenthood Western Pennsylvania.
“Senator Cappelletti and Senator Schwank have been champions for access to sexual and reproductive health care since they came to the Senate. We applaud their efforts with this package of legislation, and Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates will always support bills that protect and expand access to sexual and reproductive health care,” said Signe Espinoza, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates.
Research shows assaults against abortion clinic staff and patients rose by 128% in 2021 from the previous year. Pennsylvania needs to enact this legislative package swiftly to protect both patients and providers.
“Healthcare is not a crime. We are grateful to Senators Cappelletti and Schwank for introducing legislation to proactively fight anti-abortion efforts to restrict our travel, punish our family members for helping us find medical care in a crisis, prosecute doctors for honoring their oath, and access our private medical records. We will not allow anti-abortion extremists to strip Pennsylvanians of our freedom, safety, and privacy,” said Amal Bass, interim co-executive director of Women’s Law Project.
Read the co-sponsorship memo here.
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June 29, 2023
Reading − June 29, 2023 − State Sen. Judy Schwank applauded Gov. Josh Shapiro’s announcement this afternoon that the U.S. Small Business Administration has agreed to his request to provide up to $2 million in loan assistance through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program to businesses in West Reading impacted by the R.M. Palmer factory explosion.
“I commend Gov. Shapiro and his team for making this additional assistance available to West Reading businesses who are still experiencing financial hardship,” said Schwank. “This assistance might not have been made available without the Governor’s personal involvement, concern and follow-through.”
Schwank emphasized that her office will continue to assist businesses and constituents recovering from the blast.
“My staff and I continue to be available to assist residents and small businesses impacted by the tragic events of March 24 in accessing all state, local and private resources they may need,” said Schwank. “The overwhelming outpouring of support West Reading received from Berks County and all over the commonwealth shows what can be accomplished when we come together to help our neighbors when an unexpected tragedy strikes.”
Schwank’s office can be contacted by phone at (610) 929-2151 or by email at senatorschwank@pasenate.com.
June 22, 2023
Harrisburg − June 22, 2023 − The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has unanimously passed SB 262, which will require the Department of Health to annually publish severe maternal morbidity data using hospitalization discharge data.
The CDC defines severe maternal morbidity as unexpected outcomes of labor and delivery that result in significant short or long-term consequences to a woman’s health. The bill will allow Pennsylvania to track the prevalence of maternal morbidity in the commonwealth and provide valuable data.
SB 262 is part of a package of bills aimed at addressing maternal mortality and improving maternal health outcomes introduced by Schwank with House companion bills prime sponsored by Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia). The bill has the support of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus.
Research published in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology finds that for every maternal death, 100 women suffer from severe maternal morbidity. In 2021 alone, roughly 120,500 women nearly died from childbirth.
Additionally, the U.S. maternal mortality rate is consistently higher than other wealthy nations. Black women are disproportionately impacted by maternal mortality, with a rate 2.6 times higher than White women.
Alarms were raised around Black maternal health when Olympic track and field star Tori Bowie died from childbirth complications in May of 2023. Schwank said Bowie’s story demonstrates how much work is yet to be done to fully address the maternal mortality crisis at all levels of government.
“We have a moral obligation to do everything in our power to end maternal mortality in Pennsylvania and throughout the country,” said Schwank. “Tori Bowie was a world-class athlete and only 32 years old. Her story is a tragedy, and I think we need to be very clear about this; we have the ability to do so much better. Lives are literally on the line.”
Dr. Aasta Mehta, the Medical Officer of Women’s Health at the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health, said SB 262 will make pregnancy safer for all Pennsylvanians.
“I applaud the General Assembly for passing SB 262 which empowers the Department of Health to release yearly data on the incidence of severe maternal morbidity in the commonwealth,” Mehta said. “This information serves as a vital tool for monitoring and surveillance, identifying risk factors, improving healthcare quality, and evaluating interventions. By understanding the patterns and causes of severe complications during pregnancy and childbirth, we can develop targeted strategies to reduce maternal morbidity rates and enhance the overall well-being of birthing people. Commitment to data-driven decision-making and evidence-based policies will drive us towards a future where every birthing person receives the comprehensive care they deserve, ensuring safer pregnancies and brighter futures for families.”
Schwank also said she’s optimistic that the unanimous bipartisan support for SB 262 will open the door for more collaborations on legislation addressing maternal mortality.
“I think we are realizing that this impacts all of us,” Schwank said. “With that in mind, we must work together to improve maternal health outcomes for all Pennsylvanians. I’m very pleased that SB 262 passed both chambers with unanimous support. I hope we can continue to work in a bipartisan manor to address maternal morbidity and mortality.”
SB 262 will now head to Governor Josh Shapiro’s desk to be signed into law.
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June 6, 2023
Harrisburg — June 6, 2023 — Today, SB 262, sponsored by Senator Judy Schwank (D-11th), passed the Pennsylvania Senate by a vote of 50-0. Schwank’s bill is part of a legislative package on maternal mortality. SB 262 adds “severe maternal morbidity” to the list of reportable events within the Pennsylvania Department of Health. This change will allow Pennsylvania to gather data on short and long-term health complications from childbirth.
“We are living through a maternal mortality and morbidity crisis,” Schwank said. “We can do so much better than we are right now, and we have to start treating this crisis with urgency. SB 262 is a step in the right direction and will provide us with the information we need to better understand the scale of this problem.”
SB 262 is the companion to legislation introduced by Rep. Morgan Cephas in past sessions and has the support of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus. Schwank said she believes the House of Representatives will quickly take up the bill and send it to Gov. Shapiro’s desk to be signed into law.
“I’m very confident my colleagues in the House will waste little time advancing this bill through committee and get it to the governor’s desk,” Schwank said. “Maternal morbidity and mortality touch the lives of far too many Pennsylvanians. It’s incumbent on us to search for solutions at the state level. Getting SB 262 passed and signed into law is an important first step.”
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June 2, 2023
Reading — June 2, 2023 — Yesterday afternoon, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th) visited the Mt. Penn Fire Company to check on the ongoing renovations to the heavily used day room.
On March 16, 2023, the Mount Penn Fire Company was awarded $60,000 in Local Shares Account-Statewide program grant funding to support the renovations. The LSA-Statewide was established by the Pennsylvania Racehorse Development and Gaming Act of 2004, which provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects in the public interest within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
“I was proud to support this project and am thrilled to see it moving along,” Schwank said after the visit. “Our first responders are who we rely on in times of need. It’s crucial they have the tool, resources and facilities necessary to get the job done. I have no doubt that the new day room, once completed, will be put to good use.”
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May 26, 2023
HARRISBURG, May 26, 2023 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) co-hosted a public hearing earlier this week in Harrisburg to discuss the effectiveness and accessibility of support services, preventive measures, and the socioeconomic impact that abuse has on individuals and families.
The hearing, held at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg, featured three panels of testimony from experts in public policy, law enforcement, and prevention of domestic violence.
“The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence stated that there were 3,209 unmet requests for service related to domestic violence in 2022. That is over 3,000 people dealing with a domestic violence incident last year that couldn’t be helped because we don’t adequately fund human services in Pennsylvania,” Muth said. “We must address these issues and ensure the programs that support domestic violence survivors have adequate state funding and resources.”
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner contact sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking.
“Domestic violence is often an issue that’s overlooked, so I’m very pleased that we were able to hear directly from the folks on the ground supporting Pennsylvania’s survivors about what they need,” Schwank said. “The testimony made it clear that the legislature must step up and provide a consistent stream of financial support to adequately address domestic violence. As we head into budget season, it’s imperative that we take what we heard today and turn those words into action.”
Senator Muth and Senator Schwank have introduced Senate Bill 281 this session which would require that first time firearm owners receive training in areas of safe handling and storage of firearms, suicide awareness, child access awareness, domestic violence awareness, road rage awareness and prevention and safe interaction with law enforcement while carrying a firearm. Senator Schwank has also introduced Senate Bill 388 which would require schools to establish specific policies regarding dating violence, including reporting procedures for students, parents, legal guardians, or third parties; disciplinary procedures and penalties for students perpetrating dating violence against other students; and information regarding the Protection from Abuse law.
Senate Bill 281 remains in the Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Bill 388 remains in the Senate Education Committee.
Participants in the hearing included Beth Garrigan, CEO, Safe Berks; Deanna Dyer, Policy Director, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV); Lt. Mary Gausman, Pennsylvania State Police; Danni Beinschrotch, Legal Services Manager, PCADV; Hon. Christopher Mallios Jr., Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County; Aishwarya Sinha, Prevention Specialist, PCADV; and Kiara Allison, PhD., Title IX Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Officer, Widener University.
All submitted testimony from the policy hearing and the full video is available at SenatorMuth.com/Policy
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May 25, 2023
HARRISBURG, May 25 – Pennsylvania Jewish Legislative Caucus Co-chairs Rep. Dan Frankel and Sen. Judy Schwank praised the White House announcement Thursday that the Biden-Harris Administration has established the first-ever U.S. national strategy to fight antisemitism.
“While antisemitism is not new, we are seeing a deeply disturbing rise in incidents fueled by inflammatory political rhetoric and a digital world in which hate-based speech can be spread at the touch of a button. Those special challenges demand new solutions, including decisive action at the national level,” Frankel said. “I am particularly encouraged that the new plan the Biden-Harris Administration has announced is a broad one, including new action by executive agencies, calls for new legislation and outreach to mobilize every sector of society.”
Frankel and Schwank highlighted the support and participation of the Anti-Defamation League, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Asian American Foundation, the Sikh Coalition, the National Urban League, the National Basketball Players Association and many other groups.
“Antisemitism and hatred of all forms thrive in the darkness, and that’s why calling it out can be so powerful,” Schwank said. “The administration’s new plan and call to action are essential first steps in generating the kind of broad, unified efforts that can combat the dangerous rise in intolerance against Jews in the United States. I’m very grateful to President Biden and Vice President Harris for their leadership commitment on this issue.”
Frankel and Schwank founded Pennsylvania’s first ever Jewish Legislative Caucus earlier this year.
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May 24, 2023
HARRISBURG – May 24, 2023 – Sens. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) and Judy Schwank (D-11) provided the following statements urging the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board (MMB) to extend the Over-Order Premium during their June 7 public meeting.
“Last month, we opened the doors to dairy industry stakeholders to begin crafting solutions to the ongoing over-order premium dilemma in Pennsylvania,” said Vogel. “It is a great start to the conversations we seek to have in the near future, which is why the MMB needs to extend the over-order premium and give us the opportunity to continue to work with stakeholders in an organized and efficient manner.”
“Last month’s conversation allowed dairy stakeholders to address the over-order premium on Class I milk, but we still have work to do to find a long-term solution,” said Schwank. “The dairy industry has drastically changed since the over-order premium was enacted. We want to find a thoughtful resolution to the issues surrounding the over-order premium and welcome continued stakeholder input. This will take time, which is why we encourage the MMB to extend the over-order premium and allow for continued collaboration as we work towards a solution that meets the modern needs of Pennsylvania’s dairy producers.”
The MMB will be hosting its public meeting on Wednesday, June 7, at 9 a.m., at the Department of Agriculture Building, Room 309, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110. To listen to the hearing dial 267-332-8737 and enter conference ID 849 531 250.
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May 9, 2023
HARRISBURG – May 9, 2023 − Today, Sens. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47), majority chair; and Judy Schwank (D-11), minority chair; and members of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee gave a unanimous, favorable recommendation for Russell Redding to serve as the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
“Secretary Redding has remained dedicated to serving and advocating for Pennsylvania’s ever-growing agriculture industry in his role as secretary over the last several administrations, as an educator, and as a farmer,” said Vogel. “He not only is a great asset to our Legislature, but to our Commonwealth. I want to congratulate him on his successful recommendation and look forward continuing to work with him to better the future of agriculture in our state.”
“Russell Redding has provided outstanding service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture for many years and fully deserves to be reconfirmed,” said Schwank. “Under his leadership, the agency has thrived, and he’s formed a deep connection with Pennsylvania’s agriculture community. I’m very pleased to see his nomination take a step forward and fully expect my Senate colleagues to join me in voting to reconfirm him as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Agriculture.”
Redding’s nomination will be re-referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations.
During its meeting, the committee also considered Senate Bill 152 (Sen. Judy Ward, R-30), Senate Bill 277 (Sen. Gene Yaw, R-23); and Senate Bill 694 (Sen. Frank Farry, R-6), which were unanimously approved.
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May 2, 2023
Action comes as federal trial against shooter gets underway
HARRISBURG, May 2, 2023 – With trial of the perpetrator in the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue attack underway, state Rep. Dan Frankel and state Sen. Judith Schwank are encouraging their colleagues in the General Assembly to wear blue ribbons on Wednesday to show their support for family members and survivors of the attack.
“Family members and survivors of the Oct. 27th attack live with those events every single day, and the court proceedings and media attention they generate stand to intensify those painful memories,” said Frankel, D-Allegheny. “We can’t erase the trauma for those hurting, but by wearing this ribbon, we can let them know that we stand with them and wish them strength.
“As a body, we can also act quickly to pass the anti-hate crimes legislation we recently unveiled. Doing so will send a strong, bipartisan message that our commonwealth will not tolerate acts of hatred against Pennsylvanians based on how they worship, who they are or who they love.”
Schwank said, “This is just one small way we can express support for the family members and survivors of the Pittsburgh Synagogue attack as the trial begins. It’s crucial that we do not allow this attack to be forgotten or minimized and that it serves as a reminder to us all of the very real threats members of the Jewish faith face. Together, we can send a message to all that wish to intimidate, threaten or attack others that hatred will not be tolerated in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
The bipartisan anti-hate crime bill package recently unveiled by Frankel, state Sen. Democratic Leader Jay Costa, D-Allegheny, and state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, would expand protections to cover LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities, strengthen civil and criminal penalties, increase training for police and educators, encourage the reporting of hate-based incidents in schools and provide a means for those convicted of hate crimes to perform community service or complete classes related to the motivating factor in the crime.
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April 26, 2023
Harrisburg — April 26, 2023 — Today, state lawmakers and advocacy groups rallied to support SB 393, SB 394, and both House companion bills at the Capitol Plaza Fountain.
The bills would allow Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients to be certified as teachers in Pennsylvania schools and permit undocumented students that graduated from a Pennsylvania high school to receive in-state tuition and financial aid. Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said that both bills support Dreamers and undocumented students while acknowledging their contributions to the commonwealth.
“We should be doing everything we can to help talented and dedicated young people that want to serve in our public schools and complete their post-secondary education in Pennsylvania,” Schwank said. “Given the teacher shortage and declining enrollments at our state system schools, it just doesn’t make sense to tell these folks, eager to give back to their communities, to go somewhere else. That should never happen.”
As of 2020, 17 states permit DACA recipients to become certified teachers. Neighboring states New Jersey, New York and West Virginia have passed laws that certify DACA recipients as teachers, which means qualified, motivated DACA educators can easily move to a neighboring state and teach there. Additionally, 16 states offer comprehensive access to in-state tuition, scholarships and financial aid. This includes Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Virginia.
Rep. Peter Schweyer (D-Lehigh), Majority Chair of the House Education Committee, said he is eager to consider the bills in committee. He called on the advocacy groups assembled at the event to push their lawmakers to support the legislation.
“This is not only a question of whether we have the best education system possible or about economic growth for our commonwealth,” Schweyer said. “It’s a question of fairness and a moral question. The good news, now we are not only in a position where we can have these conversations and raise awareness, but we can actually start moving this legislation.”
Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D-Berks), who has issued a co-sponsor memorandum to certify DACA recipients as teachers, said the measure offers an opportunity to ease Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage.
“Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage is worsening, and qualified immigrants can help with this teaching crisis,” Cepeda-Freytiz said. “I am introducing a bill to amend the qualifications of a teacher by adding that department-certified or permitted teachers who hold a valid immigrant visa, work visa, or valid employment authorization document which allows them to work in the United States are eligible to teach in the public schools of the Commonwealth.”
Other speakers at the event included Kutztown University Student education student Andrea Jeronimo, Program Manager at the Woori Center Dr. Kate Firestone, Norristown Area School District Teacher Selenia Tello, Senior Managing Director of External Affairs for Teach for America Mamie Doyle Mannella, Isabelle Martinez of CASA and Pennsylvania Executive Director of Teach Plus Laura Boyce.
For more information about today’s event, please visit senatorschwank.com/PADREAMAct.
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April 26, 2023
HARRISBURG – April 26, 2023 – The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, led by Chairman Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) and Minority Chairwoman Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11), held a public hearing today to open an in-depth discussion about the state’s Over Order Premium on Class I milk and what the future of that premium could look like.
Representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board (PMMB), Pennsylvania State Grange (PSG), Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB), Pennsylvania Milk Dealers Association, Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Association of Dairy Cooperatives (PADC), and the Pennsylvania Dairy Association were present to lend their expertise and point of view to the conversation.
“The issues surrounding the over order premium are not new to the dairy industry and today’s hearing was meant to be a collaborative effort between all involved parties to see if and how we can potentially address the premium in the future,” said Vogel. “This matter has proven to be one of complexity and is not one to be taken lightly as it is comprised of many moving parts.”
“Pennsylvania’s dairy industry has changed dramatically since the launch of the Over Order Premium,” Schwank said. “Today’s hearing was an essential first step in working towards a transparent and equitable process for updating the Over Order Premium. It’s encouraging that so many stakeholders offered informed and thoughtful testimony. I believe we have many opportunities to craft a program that better reflects the needs of Pennsylvania’s dairy farmers and processors.”
Over the past several decades, there has been much debate as to the effectiveness, fairness, and necessity of the current over order premium being that the premium was initially adopted by the PMMB in 1988 as part of a drought relief order.
During the hearing, testifiers seemed to be divided on whether the premium should be fully dissolved going forward.
Some PMMB members felt the premium is getting more difficult to defend and has proven to showcase an inequality in distribution to dairy farmers, while other PMMB members pointed out the premium is beneficial to dairy farmers and may need some modernizing to increase the effectiveness of the premium.
Other testifiers such as the PSG recommended while it would be good to entertain improvements to the premium, other avenues should be explored as well to ensure there are equitable measures established for all of the state’s valued dairy producers.
The PFB supported the notion the General Assembly has the greatest ability to enact material changes to the premium with the PADC suggesting the Legislature amending the Milk Marketing Law to allow the PMMB to change how the premium for state dairy farmers is collected and distributed.
Additionally, there was collectively expressed support of a legislative package that was sponsored by Vogel and Schwank (Senate Bills 840 and 841) last session, which would give the PMMB the ability to collect information it currently does not have the authority to collect and is necessary for effective administration of the Milk Marketing Law; and add milk distributors to the Milk Marketing Fee Act.
Vogel added, “I want to thank everyone for taking the time to have this important discussion. The valuable information and perspectives shared will be most helpful as we try to navigate through this complex issue moving forward.”
Pennsylvania is divided into six milk marketing areas overseen by the PMMB and the federal government who monitor and enforce minimum payments to milk producers. The state-mandated over order premium is paid to Pennsylvania farmers for milk that is produced, processed, and used as class I milk (fluid drinking milk) in Pennsylvania. The Federal Milk Marketing Orders only cover specific geographic areas in Pennsylvania and can cross state lines; these orders establish minimum prices for all classes of producer milk.
To watch the full hearing, click here.
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April 18, 2023
READING, PA (April 18)—Yesterday, State Senator Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia) joined Berks Stands Up, Make the Road Pennsylvania, Sunrise Movement, and Berks County elected officials, community leaders, and residents in a united call for permanent funding for Pennsylvania’s groundbreaking Whole-Home Repairs Program.
The Whole-Home Repairs Program passed in July 2022 with an initial $125-million appropriation to create and launch the program. But after decades of disinvestment in PA homes, the need is immense.
“My office has received more than 6,000 calls from residents who heard about the Whole-Home Repairs Program and who, for the first time, feel a sense of hope that their government will be an ally in providing them with the support they need to stay in their homes and in their communities,” said Senator Saval. “The need for this program is every bit as huge as we anticipated—and that’s why we’re calling on the state’s General Assembly to secure permanent funding. Whole-Home Repairs deserves investment because Pennsylvanians deserve investment.”
The Whole-Home Repairs Program establishes a one-stop shop in each county for lifesaving home repairs and weatherization, making it so that Pennsylvanians can stay warm, safe, and dry in homes they can afford while building out Pennsylvania’s workforce and creating new family-sustaining jobs in a growing field.
“This program is the first of its kind in this country—we are a model for other states,” said State Senator Judy Schwank (D–Berks). “This program allows us to make a substantial investment in Pennsylvania’s housing stock and to keep people safe. Every county in Pennsylvania needs this program. The right to housing is a fundamental right. All Pennsylvanians deserve a safe place to call home. With permanent funding, we can continue to put the safety and wellbeing of people and communities first.”
Demand for the program has been overwhelming, even before applications have opened for residents, and is expected to quickly outpace the available funds. Results of a spring 2022 survey by Data for Progress and People’s Action showed that a quarter of PA voters live in a home that needs a critical repair, and a third face high energy burdens, citing utility bills that are unaffordable.
“The cost of supplies has increased. The cost of utilities has increased. We want to stay in our homes, and we want our families to stay in their homes,” said State Representative Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D–Berks). “This program makes sure that hardworking families are able to afford and maintain their homes. Pennsylvanians have the right to feel safe and supported. We need more money to be allocated, and we need it to be recurring. As a new legislator, I will work continuously with my colleagues to make sure that this is possible.”
“Whole-Home Repairs is one of the most exciting bipartisan efforts to come out of Harrisburg in recent history,” said Spring Township Supervisor Jess Royer. “Homeowners and renters alike will have the ability to modernize their homes, reduce safety and health risks, and resist the gentrification threatening many well-established communities.”
Local residents of Berks County added their voices in support of the program.
“I have lived in the same apartment my entire life,” said Ezra Feliciano, with Berks Stands Up and Sunrise Movement. “This apartment is my house. It is my home. But my home needs to be fixed, like many homes in Reading. When I heard about the Whole-Home Repairs Program, I was instantly filled with hope. I started dreaming: ‘With that money we would have a new bathroom that is accessible for my mother.’ There are many families like mine. They deserve hope, too.”
“I have five children, and three of them live with me. The youngest is a child who has special needs,” said Maria Hernandez, with Make the Road Pennsylvania. “With a lot of sacrifice, my husband and I bought the house where we live 20 years ago. We cannot afford the repairs that our house needs. It’s urgent for the Whole-Home Repairs Program to receive the additional funding that homeowners and renters across the state need.”
In conjunction with the Week of Action, more than five dozen organizations released an open letter to the state’s General Assembly to call on representatives to allocate $300 million for the Whole-Home Repairs Program this year and to make funding for the program permanent.
“This is how we can begin to meet the scale of the crisis,” the organizations state. “The Whole-Home Repairs Program is a housing security initiative, an energy and climate resiliency initiative, an anti-blight initiative, a jobs initiative, and a community safety initiative. It will enable children to grow up in homes free from lead and mold, families to build generational wealth and wellness, and seniors to remain in their homes as they experience changes in their abilities.”
The full text of the open letter and the list of signatories is available here: https://pastandsup.org/news/open-letter:-permanent-funding-for-whole-home-repairs/.
Full event listings (including times, locations, and partner groups) for the week of action and more information about the Whole-Home Repairs Program are available on Senator Saval’s website: www.pasenatorsaval.com/WholeHomeRepairs. The full recordings of all past events and accompanying photographs are also posted to the website. Pennsylvania residents are invited to add their names as supporters of the program.
March 21, 2023
HARRISBURG, March 21 – State. Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, and Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks, announced Tuesday the formation of Pennsylvania’s first ever Jewish Legislative Caucus.
“Representing the community that suffered the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history, I have seen that protecting the needs of vulnerable groups can’t be incidental – we need to create spaces where we can make them the focus,” said Frankel, whose district includes the neighborhood of Squirrel Hill, the heart of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community and the site of the 2018 attack on three congregations in the Tree of Life building.
Schwank added, “It’s important to have a caucus that is vocal and stands against hatred and hate-based violence, not just against Jewish Pennsylvanians, but Pennsylvanians of all faiths. I’m looking forward to taking an active role with this caucus, working with my fellow members and connecting with Jewish communities throughout the commonwealth.”
The Pennsylvania Jewish Legislative Caucus will work to incorporate the perspectives and needs of Pennsylvania’s Jewish communities in legislation passed by the General Assembly. This includes:
- Speaking out against antisemitism and other forms of intolerance and standing for a Commonwealth that is welcoming to all.
- Working to protect the civil rights of all Pennsylvanians.
- Modernizing Pennsylvania’s laws to address the growing threat of hate crimes.
- Improving security measures for organizations predominately serving Jewish communities and other vulnerable communities at risk for hate-based violence.
- Celebrating Jewish culture and heritage in Pennsylvania.
- Serving as a liaison to local, statewide and national organizations serving Jewish populations/communities.
- Providing a structure and organization for caucus members to coordinate advocation for caucus goals.
Members of the Jewish Legislative Caucus include legislators who are Jewish themselves or connected to Jewish communities through their families or the populations they represent. Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly that joined are:
- Frankel- Co-Chair
- Schwank- Co-Chair
- Rep. Tim Briggs (D-Montgomery)
- Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery)
- Rep. Robert Freeman (D-Northampton)
- Rep. Tarik Khan (D-Philadelphia)
- Rep. Steven Malagari (D-Montgomery)
- Rep. Dan Miller (D-Allegheny)
- Rep. Abigail Salisbury (D-Allegheny)
- Rep. Ben Sanchez (D-Montgomery)
- Rep. Mike Schlossberg (D-Lehigh)
- Rep. Melissa Shusterman (D-Chester)
- Rep. Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia)
- Rep. Ben Waxman (D-Philadelphia)
- Rep. Joseph Webster (D-Montgomery)
Frankel plans to reintroduce a package of bills to modernize laws relating to hate crimes and ethnic intimidation in Pennsylvania.
March 17, 2023
READING, March 17, 2023 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) earlier this week at Alvernia University in Reading to discuss strategies to engage youth to reduce violence and keep them out of the justice system.
The hearing featured testimony from experts in law enforcement and state agencies as well as nonprofit service providers who each discussed the challenges and opportunities related to Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system and community violence.
“This week’s hearing was a great opportunity to really learn about what is working and what challenges are facing our service providers and our judicial system when dealing with violence and crime among our youth. We need to do all we can to ensure that our children are not just surviving – but that they are thriving,” Muth said. “We have to continue working together, learning what works and documenting what works so that we can invest state funding into programs and services that are proven to work to keep juveniles out of our justice system and keep our communities safe.”
According to statistics provided by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), youth violence continues to steadily decline and fewer youth are coming into Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system. PCCD reported that between 2012 and 2021, the arrest rate for violent crime among youth in Pennsylvania decreased by 72 percent. And last year, the number of Pennsylvania youth who received a juvenile justice disposition was 15 percent lower than the prior year, and 57 percent lower than 2013-14 levels.
“I think we all understand that while every community in Pennsylvania is different, we all deal with crime. Too often, I think we react to incidents in our community instead of looking at root causes. That’s really what this hearing was all about,” Schwank said. “We had a great group of testifiers that provided us with terrific information that we can use to ensure programs that are making a difference are being supported across the commonwealth.”
According to a 2022 New York Times Magazine report, gun violence has surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of death among American children and youth. PCCD Executive Director Michael Pennington cited statistics stating that between 2011 and 2020, 1,151 individuals between the ages of 10 and 19 lost their lives to gun violence in Pennsylvania.
“Unfortunately, juvenile violence is all too common in Philadelphia and across the state, leaving young people and their families caught in the literal crossfires. Neighbors are desperate for solutions, desperate for prevention, desperate for help,” Haywood added. “We need to support our young people through mentorship, multi-systemic counseling and services, and unwavering love.”
Participants in the hearing included Judge Scott E. Lash, Berks County Court of Common Pleas; Barbara Dancy, Berks County Juvenile Probation; Radarra McLendon, Founder, Village of Reading; Ebonie Cunningham Stringer, Executive Director, Berks Youth Violence Interruption and Intervention Program; and Michael Pennington, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Other Senators that participated in the hearing virtually included Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Sen. Tina Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), Sen. Tim Kearney (D-Delaware), Sen. Maria Collett (D-Montgomery), Sen. John Kane (D-Chester/Delaware), Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny) and Sen. Jimmy Dillon (D-Philadelphia).
All submitted testimony from the policy hearing and the full video is available at SenatorMuth.com/Policy
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March 16, 2023
Reading — March 16, 2023 — Today, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11) shared that 20 11th Senatorial District projects received a total of $4.62 million in grant funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
The Local Shares Account-Statewide program was established by the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act of 2004, which provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the CFA to support projects in the public interest within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, economic development agencies, and redevelopment authorities are eligible to apply for LSA funding. Projects are only eligible if they are owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization.
Schwank said she is proud to support the projects listed below and thanked local leaders for putting together strong applications that address crucial needs in their communities.
“Having a lengthy list of projects that are forward thinking and worthy of funding is a good problem to have,” Schwank said. “When you have great projects that fill important local needs, it’s easy to make a case for why they deserve support. With this funding, the state is improving public safety, boosting access to recreational areas for disabled individuals, investing in the preservation of iconic Berks County venues, and more. Today is a great day for Berks County.”
Schwank added that many of the projects listed are being funded at levels to complete or substantially complete them.
- Spring Township — $800,000 for the Wyomissing Sewer Project, which will upgrade sewer pipes and alleviate wastewater concerns.
- City of Reading — $500,000 for the construction of a modern, multi-purpose training and special operations facility located in Cumru Township.
- Laureldale Borough — $482,255 to construct ADA-accessible bathroom facilities at Dominic Manzella Park.
- Kutztown Community Partnership — $450,000 in support of the rehabilitation of the historic Kutztown Strand Theatre.
- Wyomissing Borough — $400,000 for ADA and safety improvements at Stone House Park.
- Antietam Valley Municipal Authority — $376,379 for vehicle equipment upgrades for use in Alsace Township, Mt. Penn Borough, Exeter Township, St. Lawrence Borough and the City of Reading.
- Muhlenberg Township — $294,000 in support of streambank restoration and to install a riparian buffer at Laurel Run Creek.
- Mount Penn Borough — $275,000 for the reconstruction of ADA-compliant handicap ramps to be constructed on various streets throughout the borough.
- West Reading Borough — $264,750 to upgrade security cameras along the main commercial area, at the police department, and at the municipal building.
- Fleetwood Borough — $225,000 for phase two of construction to stabilize and restore the Willow Creek streambank located at Fleetwood Park.
- Mount Penn Borough Municipal Authority — $207,100 for upgrades to an existing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system located in Exeter Township.
- Reading Water Authority — $165,649 for monitoring upgrades for the Maidencreek Filter Plant.
- Ruscombmanor Township — $100,00 for ADA accessibility improvements in Strauss Park.
- Mount Penn Borough — $60,000 for renovations to the Mount Penn Fire Company’s heavily used day room.
- Lyons Borough Municipal Authority — $29,260 to upgrade its current water and mapping system and to conduct a leak detection test.
In addition to the LSA-statewide awards, five Berks County entities received $580,791 in LSA-Category 4 Facilities Program grant funding. Projects in counties with Category 4 licensed gaming facilities are eligible for this stream of funding (Berks, Westmoreland and York Counties).
- Greater Reading Chamber and Economic Development Corporation — $142,346 for the Franklin Street Transit-Oriented Development Strategic Plan.
- Berks County Redevelopment Authority — $125,000 to convert an old building located on Gregg Avenue in the City of Reading into office space.
- West Reading Borough — $113,552 for streetlight replacements.
- West Reading Borough — $100,000 for the redevelopment of gateway signage.
- Sinking Spring Borough — $99,893 for a brush chipper at the community yard waste site.
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March 16, 2023
Reading — March 16, 2023 — This morning, The Commonwealth Financing Authority awarded Lower Alsace Township $850,000 in Multimodal Transportation Fund grant funding for the construction of sidewalks along Carsonia Road.
The sidewalk will stretch from Parkview Avenue to Logan Street leading towards Antietam Middle Senior High School. The sidewalk will address pedestrian safety concerns and alleviate stormwater runoff.
Sen. Judy Schwank and Rep. Mark Rozzi worked in tandem to secure the funding. The lawmakers said the funding dovetails nicely with PennDOT’s ongoing Carsonia Avenue and Friedensburg Road bridge replacement intersection improvement project and Antietam School District’s Stony Creek Rehabilitation Project.
“This project is a priority for the township, school district and local residents,” Schwank said. “This extended stretch of sidewalk will provide students with a safe walking path they can use to get to school and is in keeping with existing efforts to improve safety in the area. I’m very pleased to see this worthy project receive the funding it deserves.”
“I was happy to work with Sen. Schwank to ensure this funding came back to the area,” Rozzi said. “Major projects like this are unattainable for small Townships like Lower Alsace without the States assistance. This project impacts community safety which is paramount and a long-time priority of mine.”
March 7, 2023
HARRISBURG, PA: Today, Senate Democrats and House Democrats held a joint press conference to respond to Governor Shapiro’s Budget Address. Senate Democrats are pleased with a commonsense budget that invests in the future of Pennsylvania, and are excited to continue the negotiation process throughout the spring.
The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus has expressed unity in a few key priorities for Pennsylvania: education, workforce development, gun violence prevention, housing, seniors, and healthcare, including mental healthcare. This budget invests seriously in all these core areas responsibly both immediately and long-term.
“Governor Shapiro has put forth a thoughtful, reasonable, and doable budget,” said Democratic Leader Jay Costa. “This budget prioritizes our children, our educators, our workforce, our small businesses, and our seniors. This is a solid plan to move Pennsylvania forward, and I look forward to bipartisan cooperation with the Senate Republican Caucus as we go into hearings in the coming weeks.”
Senate Democrats have worked tirelessly to introduce and pass bills aimed at solving many of the problems this budget seeks to address. These include bills intended to fully fund public education and solving the teacher shortage crisis.
Senate Democrats have also fought for increased investments in community-based antiviolence programs. The Democratic caucus was proud to champion Senator Nikil Saval’s Whole Home Repairs program, an investment in Pennsylvania’s aging and inaccessible housing stock. Additionally, the Democratic caucus has also long called for investments in protecting our environment, which would create good-paying green jobs throughout the commonwealth. The Women’s Health Caucus has fought for resources to address maternal health outcomes and mortality, especially among Black and brown women. This budget takes logical, intentional steps in each of these areas, supporting Democrats’ work and priorities.
“The governor has said in meetings prior to today’s address that he is looking for a new spirit of collaboration in putting together the state budget,” said Appropriations Chair Senator Vincent Hughes of Philadelphia. “My colleagues and I welcome that new energy and are confident we will work together to accomplish many impactful things for Pennsylvanians in the 7th District and across the commonwealth with this budget.”
Senate Democrats are especially excited about Governor Shapiro’s calls for a $15/hour minimum wage and adult-use recreational cannabis. Both of these measures would immediately boost the economy of Pennsylvania, putting money directly in the pockets of working families, small businesses, and government coffers. Senator Tina Tartaglione and Senator Art Haywood have long called for a livable minimum wage; Pennsylvania’s $7.25/hour minimum wage is lower than that in every neighboring state.
“Governor Shapiro’s proposal offers us an opportunity to move Pennsylvania forward and come to a consensus on key issues,” said Senator Judy Schwank of Reading. “The proposed investments in public safety, workforce development and education are pragmatic and will deliver real results for the people of this Commonwealth. Working through the budget is always a long process, but I believe today’s proposal is a very promising start point.”
Video footage of the press conference is available for viewing at PASenate.com/video. Downloadable footage is available upon request.
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March 1, 2023
(Harrisburg, PA) March 1, 2023 — Today, on the first day of Women’s History Month, Chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus, Senator Judith Schwank (D-11 Berks), Representative Mary Jo Daley (D-148 Montgomery), and Representative Gina Curry (D-164 Delaware) were joined by Women’s Health Caucus (WHC) members to kick off the 2023-2024 legislative session by announcing a new mission and platform and by launching a new joint Subcommittee and website!
The WHC shared its new mission statement:
The Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus is a bipartisan, bicameral caucus of legislators partnering with advocacy groups to advance legislation and policies that promote equity and protect the health and wellbeing of women, gender expansive people, and families in Pennsylvania. As a caucus, we recognize the intersectionality of social issues that support physical and mental health. We are committed to closing existing disparities and removing barriers Pennsylvanians of all backgrounds face when seeking healthcare and systems of support. Integral to our mission is the belief that all Pennsylvanians have the right to make private, personal medical decisions.
On their newly redesigned website, the WHC launched a new platform that outlines their legislative and advocacy goals as a caucus. Included in the platform are sections on Reproductive Freedom, Ending the Maternal Mortality Crisis, Health Care Access and Equity, Economic Empowerment, and Justice and Inclusion.
“Our caucus is proud to launch our new mission and platform that is driven by our commitment to protecting individual freedoms, focusing on access and equity, economic empowerment, and justice and inclusion. I am thrilled to serve as a co-Chair of the caucus once again as these shared values guide us in our legislative and advocacy work for this session,” said Representative Mary Jo Daley. “With the historic election of Speaker McClinton in the House, I’m sure we will be able to make progress on the critical issues the Women’s Health Caucus is fighting for.”
The WHC welcomed a new Co-Chair to the Caucus, Representative Gina Curry. As a co-chair of the WHC, Curry is committed to addressing issues facing Pennsylvanians like maternity care deserts and systemic inequities in the health care system. “I look forward to working diligently to provide adequate and equitable access to health care that impact the women in my district and across the Commonwealth,” said Representative Curry. “My goal is to provide innovative ways to educate and bring a comprehensive, expansive awareness and solutions to women’s healthcare needs.”
Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus has also announced a joint Subcommittee with the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus on Women and Girls of Color, which will be Chaired by Representative La’Tasha D. Mayes (D-24 Allegheny). Mayes, founder and former president and CEO of New Voices for Reproductive Justice, has been an unwavering advocate for improving the health and well-being of marginalized communities. “Our Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus is ready to meet the needs of women, femmes, girls and gender-expansive folx across this Commonwealth. As Chair of the Joint Subcommittee on Women and Girls of Color, I am deeply committed to leading a legislative and policy agenda that centers the health and well-being of our most marginalized communities especially Black women and women of color, mothers and caretakers and LGBTQ+ women and folx. I am proud to serve with my colleagues in the Women’s Health Caucus,” said Representative Mayes.
Overall, the theme of the WHC agenda for this session is to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have affordable access to the care they deserve. “Equitable access to health care services and economic security are both crucial components of a healthy lifestyle. That’s why this session, the Women’s Health Caucus is not only going to continue its work of ending care deserts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but we will also raise our efforts to ensure that all Pennsylvanians are treated with dignity and respect in the workplace,” said Senator Judy Schwank. “Every Pennsylvanian deserves to feel the empowerment that comes from economic freedom, and our caucus is dedicated to making that a reality.”
The Women’s Health Caucus reaffirmed its commitment to protecting reproductive rights here in Pennsylvania. WHC members have proudly been at the forefront of fighting against anti-abortion bills in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and have introduced policies and solutions that would protect and expand access to reproductive health care in Pennsylvania. The Caucus works with several advocacy groups to ensure the policies they propose will have the greatest impact. This session, the Caucus is proud to have 79 legislators participating as members.
“One of the best parts of being a Co-Chair of the Women’s Health Caucus is the opportunity to host a forum where legislators can have discussions with advocates and folks who have firsthand experience with the problems our policy proposals aim to solve,” said Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-17 Montgomery), co-Chair of the PA WHC. “Our caucus’ shared values allow us to work together towards our goals in the strongest way possible.”
Explore the WHC’s new website at pawomenshealthcaucus.com. Stay up to date with the Caucus on social media by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Watch the recording of the press event here.
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February 14, 2023
Reading — February 14, 2023 — Today, state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) announced that her office has opened a satellite constituent services office in Spring Township.
The office is in the Spring Township Administration Building located on 2850 Windmill Rd, Reading, PA 19608. The office will be open on the second and fourth Fridays of each month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and on other days by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling 610-929-2151 or by sending an email to senatorschwank@pasenate.com.
Spring Township, Sinking Spring Borough and the Berks County portion of Adamstown Borough became a part of the 11th senatorial district during last year’s reapportionment process. Schwank said the satellite office will help her connect with her new constituents.
“It’s very important to me that the folks who have been added to the 11th district have convenient access to the services they need,” Schwank said. “I believe this satellite office will provide my staff and I with a great opportunity to connect with our newest constituents and get a better feel for the community and its needs.”
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February 9, 2023
Reading — February 9, 2023 — This morning, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) spoke during the public comment section of the Berks County Commissioner’s meeting to express her interest in collaborating with county officials on the rollout of the Whole Home Repairs program.
$120 million in funding was allotted to the Whole Home Repairs program last summer as a part of the 2022-2023 Pennsylvania budget. That money was distributed to applying counties with Berks County receiving $3,656,555. A portion of the funding will go toward administration and workforce development. Individual homeowners are eligible for up to $50,000 to repair, update or adapt their homes.
Schwank said she recognizes the impact the Whole Home Repairs program can have in Berks County and said it’s generated significant interest from constituents. She emphasized the importance of a successful rollout.
“We need to get the word out about the program and more importantly monitor the progress of the program,” Schwank said. “There is great demand for this program and a large unmet need in helping homeowners and landlords improve their properties.”
Schwank also noted that the outcome of the initial rollout could affect whether or not the program continues to be funded at the state level.
“I would like to see this program funded again in the upcoming state budget, but we need to make sure the program works first,” Schwank said. “My hope is that the Whole Home Repairs initiative will set us on a path of continuous improvement for our local housing stock. Let’s work together to ensure the success of this program today so that we can support possible additional funding for this program down the road.”
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