HARRISBURG, May 6, 2014 – More Berks County residents will be able to recycle more of their consumer waste with the awarding of $1.25 million from Pennsylvania’s Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act.
“Since Act 101 was implemented in 1988, the commonwealth has awarded millions to help residents in the 11th Senatorial District and throughout the state keep more paper, plastic, metal, and glass out of our landfills,” Sen. Schwank said today. “While many Berks Countians recycle now, this 54th round of recycling grants from the state will help us increase our efforts to protect our environment.”
Grant funding is used by municipalities to develop and implement recycling programs.
Projects can range from the operation of compost facilities and web-based recycling programs to the addition of recycling capacity and the development of educational materials to encourage more people to not throw recyclable goods into the trash.
“Agriculture is a vital industry in Berks County. Losing it to landfills would be a shame and unnecessary,” Schwank said. “I’m pleased that 10 of our communities will benefit with this latest round of funding.”
Act 101 mandates recycling in municipalities with more than 10,000 residents. Municipalities with 5,000 to 10,000 people and have a population density greater than 300 people per square mile must also recycle.
HARRISBURG, 5 de mayo de 2014 - En respuesta a los arrestos hoy de 13 residentes del condado de Berks, en su mayoría menores de edad, por parte de la Policía Estatal de Pensilvania, la senadora estatal Judy Schwank emitió la siguiente declaración:
"Agradezco el excelente trabajo de investigación de la oficina del fiscal del distrito del condado de Berks y de la policía estatal, pero la detención hoy de más de una docena de nuestros niños pone de relieve un problema ya subrayado.
"Diez de las 13 personas acusadas en esta última redada antidroga eran menores de 21 años. Si se mantienen los cargos, eso significará que estos estudiantes están llevando drogas a nuestras escuelas o las están comprando allí. Esto siempre ha sido un problema, pero la creciente presencia de la heroína como droga preferida significa que debemos hacer más para reemprender nuestra guerra contra las drogas.
"Nuestros hijos, personas como las que han sido acusadas hoy de posesión de heroína, cocaína y marihuana, están muriendo en cifras alarmantes. Esto no puede ocurrir.
"Como he subrayado, tenemos que hacer mucho más para asegurarnos de que las familias son más conscientes de los signos de peligro del consumo de drogas, especialmente de heroína, y deben saber que los agentes de policía buscan durante más tiempo y con más ahínco para detener este problema creciente, pero prevenible.
"También hay que actuar en la Asamblea General. Tenemos ante nosotros opciones legislativas que debemos considerar. Si hay que mejorarlas o cambiarlas, debemos hacerlo. Nuestro silencio es complicidad. No debemos ser cómplices mientras nuestros hijos, nietos, sobrinas y sobrinos sucumben a las garras mortales de la heroína.
"Las detenciones de esta mañana son importantes, pero es necesaria la vigilancia continua de toda la comunidad para frenar la oleada de abuso de medicamentos con receta y heroína. No podemos bajar la guardia".
READING, April 22, 2014 – Students planning to attend college or return to a post-secondary institution and need help paying for it have until May 1 to apply for a state grant through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, or PHEAA, state Sen. Judy Schwank said today.
“Earning a college degree is one of the best ways to get ahead in the work world but getting to college is not always the most affordable,” Schwank (D-Berks) said. “PHEAA can make it possible, but students and families who have yet to apply for financial aid have just nine days to do so.
According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average unemployment rate for Bachelor’s degree recipients was 4 percent while the average unemployment rate for high school graduates was 7.5 percent. People who have less than a high school diploma suffer a jobless rate of 11 percent.
In terms of salary, the bureau said median weekly earnings for a person with a Bachelor’s degree was $1,108, $651 for a high school graduate and $472 for workers who did not graduate from high school.
To become eligible for a state grant through PHEAA, Schwank said applicants must first complete the 2014-15 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Applicants can access both applications through the PHEAA website: www.pheaa.org.
“The time and energy you invest in your education will pay dividends in the future,” Schwank said. “I started as a teacher and worked for many years as an educator and director with the Penn State Agriculture Extension Office and served as a Dean at Delaware Valley College. I know that the power of a good education transforms lives.”
HARRISBURG, April 1, 2014 – State Sen. Judy Schwank will meet with constituents at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 3, during a town hall meeting in Wyomissing.
“With only three months remaining before adopting a new state budget, this will be a great time to meet with residents of the Wyomissing area and hear what they have to say about the state of the commonwealth,” Sen. Schwank (D-Berks) said.
Thursday’s town hall will take place in the Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School and is part of Schwank’s ongoing series of meetings that she hosts throughout the 11th Senatorial District.
As she has in the past, the senator’s event will feature local officials. Guest speakers this time will Berks County District Attorney John Adams and an officer from his detective staff, plus command staff from the Wyomissing Police Department.
Se agradece la cobertura mediática.
WHAT: Sen. Judy Schwank to hold Town Hall Meeting
WHEN: 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School auditorium, 630 Evans Ave., Wyomissing
READING, March 27, 2014 – To improve the education of children, better protect Pennsylvania’s environment and spark long-awaited economic development, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) today announced her support for new legislation that would impose a severance tax on natural gas drilling in the state’s Marcellus Shale region.
The 5 percent levy, which would raise $720 million in the coming fiscal year, would make critical investments in public education, job creation, and the environment.
Standing before a paint factory in Reading that has been vacant for the past seven years, Schwank said the tax on the very profitable Marcellus Shale companies would provide much-needed funding for critical areas that have suffered in previous state budgets, especiallyeconomic development and the environment.
“With the modest 5 percent severance tax we are advocating today, Pennsylvania would be able to restore countless vacant sites throughout the commonwealth,” Schwank said. “We would be able to invest $195 million in 2014-’15 to programs that spark local economies and grow jobs. That pool of resources would increase to $250 million the following year.
“Equally important: our proposal makes sure that natural gas drillers, which include some of the largest corporations in the world, are paying their fair share going forward,” she said.
The Marcellus Shale severance would also help to infuse more investment into the state’s Growing Greener program.
If approved, Sen. Schwank said the 5 percent tax would increase Growing Greener’s annual investment from $18 million this year to $75 million 2014-’15. The popular program would receive $120 million in year two of the levy; $150 million the following year.
Sen. Schwank said this proposal would generate far more revenue than the state currently receives from natural gas drilling. Pennsylvania is only projected to receive $217 million this year as a result of the current drilling impact fee. The proposed legislation would generate $937 million through a combination of the fee and severance tax.
Thirty-six states assess some kind of severance tax on natural gas drillers. Nearly all of them apply that duty on the extraction of oil and gas.
Pennsylvania is the only major state to not tax natural gas drillers, and that fact alone, the senator reminded, defeats opponents’ argument that the levy is a jobs-creation killer.
“Over the past three years, Pennsylvania has gone from 8th to 48th among in job creation,” Schwank said. “Secondly, where natural gas companies are paying an extraction levy – jobs ARE being created and the natural gas companies continue to profit … handsomely.”
Most importantly, Schwank, who was joined at the press conference by Reading City Councilwoman Donna Reed, Kutztown Mayor Sandy Green and IBEW Local 743 Business Manager Mel Fishburn, said public opinion polls show overwhelming support for a tax on the companies that drill for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale play.
The most recent Mercyhurst University poll found that Pennsylvanians favor the levy, 70-17.
Sen. Schwank’s press conference to announce her support for the severance tax was one of three in the commonwealth. Senate Democratic Appropriations Chairman Vince Hughes highlighted the benefits of the levy on education during a rally in Philadelphia. Sen. John Yudichak (D-Carbon/Luzerne) emphasized the positive impact the Marcellus Shale duty would have for Pennsylvanians during an event in Hanover Township, Luzerne County.
HARRISBURG, March 25, 2014 – Two Berks County organizations that work to help veterans have been awarded a total of $37,000 in grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, state Sen. Judy Schwank announced today.
The Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs is receiving $27,000 for its “Berks County Veterans Affairs Roadshow,” and the Berks Counseling Center is receiving $10,000 for its “Helping Hands” program.
“These important grants will help us better help returning soldiers who might need this assistance,” Schwank said. “What’s great about these awards is the money is coming from Pennsylvania motorists; people who want to help our veterans.”
The inaugural grant awards are through the DMVA’s new Pennsylvania Veterans’ Trust Fund, which is funded by the $3 donations that people voluntarily make when they apply for or renew their driver’s license and photo IDs or renew their motor vehicle registrations. Money is also generated through the sale of “Honoring Our Veterans” license plates.
Berks County DVA and the Berks Counseling Center are two of the 10 organizations across the commonwealth that are receiving the new grants.
“The money for the Berks County DVA will help its roadshow conduct outreach workshops, educational events and increase awareness of available services,” the senator said. “The money for Berks Counseling Center will provide supportive services for veterans and their families.
“The award of these grants shows how small contributions can add up to making a big difference. In this instance, the money is helping the women and men who have fought to protect our freedoms and now need our help to re-acclimate as civilians,” Schwank said.
HARRISBURG, March 17, 2014 – Sen. Judy Schwank will deliver the fourth installment of her Berks County Model Senate beginning at noon, March 18, at Albright College.
Schwank’s model senate gives students from 15 Berks County schools a first-hand glimpse of life as a state lawmaker. One more session is planned.
Tuesday’s session will include a “Senate debate” where student senators will discuss, debate and vote on legislation created and amended by them. Potential legislation to be considered, including each bill’s prime sponsor:
Senate Bill 6 – Infrastructure Reinvestment Act, Sen. Babb
Senate Bill 25 – Office of Non-Profit Community Organizations, Sen. Roop
Senate Bill 15 – State Standardized Test Act, Sen. Chan
Senate Bill 34 – ITSA Bill, Sen. Moran
Senate Bill 24 – Office of People with Disabilities Act, Sen. Roop
Senate Bill 8 – Healthy Living Act, Sen. Sorto
Senate Bill 17 – Misdemeanor Expungement Act, Sen. Commons
Senate Bill 27 – Recreational Marijuana Act, Sen. Commons
Senate Bill 35 – Natural Gas Funding the Future Act, Sen. Pattillo
Senate Bill 19 – Agricultural Revitalization Act, Sen. Ahrens
Se fomenta la cobertura mediática.
WHO: Sen. Judy Schwank
WHAT: 4th Session of Sen. Schwank’s “Berks County Model Senate”
WHEN: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 18
WHERE: Albright College’s Student Center – South Lounge, 1621 N. 13th St., Reading
El Senador Schwank insta a los residentes a ayudar a saludar su regreso
HARRISBURG, 10 de marzo de 2014-El Ejército de los EE.UU. 333rdCompañía de Ingeniería del Ejército de los EE.UU. regresará a casa desde Afganistán a última hora del martes y concluirá un despliegue de casi un año como parte de la Operación Libertad Duradera, anunció hoy la senadora estatal Judy Schwank.
El 333rd tiene previsto aterrizar en Harrisburg a las 15.30 horas y llegar a Reading entre las 17.00 y las 17.30 horas. La unidad irá escoltada por la policía local, los bomberos y aficionados a las motocicletas.
"La familia, los amigos y los ciudadanos locales dieron al 333rd el año pasado en las aceras de la ruta 724 y la avenida Lancaster (ruta 222) en Shillington", dijo el senador Schwank. Sería muy apropiado que los residentes de la zona volvieran a recorrer la misma ruta para saludar y dar la bienvenida a la compañía de vuelta a casa".
"Animo a todo el mundo a que mañana dedique unos minutos a saludar a nuestros héroes locales y a hacerles saber cuánto apreciamos su sacrificio y su servicio", dijo.
Schwank dijo que la mayoría de los más de 140 miembros de la 333rd Compañía de Ingenieros son de la zona de Reading.
El 333rd realiza operaciones de construcción horizontal que incluyen trabajos en carreteras, operaciones de nivelación, nivelación de acabado de carreteras y aeródromos, y mantenimiento de superficies y drenajes.
QUE: "Saludo de regreso a casa" para el 333º Ejército de EE.UU.rd Compañía de Ingenieros
CUANDO: Martes 11 de marzo, de 17.00 a 18.00 horas
DONDE: Ruta 724 (Avenida Filadelfia) y Avenida Lancaster, Shillington. (El Centro de Reserva del Ejército está en 547 Philadelphia Ave.)
*No habrá ceremonia pública en el Centro de Reserva del Ejército.
HARRISBURG, 4 de marzo de 2014 - Los residentes de Pensilvania que han servido en las fuerzas armadas ahora pueden solicitar una designación de licencia de conducir que los identifique como veteranos, anunció hoy la senadora estatal Judy Schwank.
"Afortunadamente, los veteranos tienen derecho a numerosos descuentos, prestaciones y servicios gracias a su servicio", dijo Schwank. "Este permiso de conducir especial debería servirles como identificación para demostrar su elegibilidad".
En virtud de la legislación aprobada en 2012 por la Asamblea General, el Departamento de Transporte de Pensilvania colaboró con el Departamento de Asuntos Militares y de Veteranos para idear procedimientos y requisitos que permitieran expedir licencias con designación especial "V".
Los solicitantes cualificados para una Designación de Veteranos en su permiso de conducir o tarjeta de identificación incluyen a aquellos que han recibido un Certificado de Liberación o Baja del Servicio Activo/DD214 o equivalente por servicio en las fuerzas armadas de los Estados Unidos, incluyendo un componente de reserva o la Guardia Nacional, que fueron dados de baja o liberados de dicho servicio en condiciones que no sean deshonrosas.
Una vez que se haya añadido la Designación de Veterano a una licencia o documento de identidad, aparecerá automáticamente cada vez que se renueve la licencia o el documento de identidad.
Las licencias ya están disponibles en todos los centros de servicio PennDOT y en línea en http://www.dmv.state.pa.us (haga clic en el logotipo de la bandera americana que dice "Veterans Designation" en la parte inferior de la página).
Para los veteranos que renueven su licencia, la designación "V" es gratuita con el coste de la renovación. Los veteranos que deseen cambiar su licencia válida por una licencia con designación de veterano antes de la renovación deberán abonar la tasa de duplicado de licencia.
HARRISBURG, Feb. 28, 2014 – Help for school districts, local governments and businesses looking to stretch their energy budgets and conserve fuel are being urged today by state Sen. Judy Schwank to apply for a grant program opening March 1.
Pennsylvania’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program, or AFIG, has a pool of $8 million available that can be used by eligible applicants to buy natural gas and electric vehicles or convert gas vehicles to natural gas or electric.
Applications will be accepted online until May 30.
“With the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program, school districts will have the opportunity to convert their gas-chugging buses to hybrid electric school buses that will conserve fuel and help the environment,” Schwank said. “Businesses and local governments, too, have the opportunity to make positive changes that all will enjoy.
“Taxi services can switch to propane or natural gas-fired automobiles. Businesses can opt into the greening of Pennsylvania, as well, by competing for a slice of this $8 million pie,” the senator said.
The Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant program is designed to promote and build markets for advanced, renewable and alternative energy transportation technologies.
Grants approved through AFIG stimulate new opportunities that ultimately translate into better management of Pennsylvania’s fuel resources and improvement in the environment. The cash awards also support economic development and enhance the quality of life in local communities, Schwank said.
To read more, and to get the application to apply for an AFIG grant, click here.
HARRISBURG, February 28, 2014 – Sen. Judy Schwank will continue her Berks County Model Senate on Tuesday, March 4, at Albright College.
This third session, which is being made up due to a prior weather-related postponement, will include “Senate committee hearings” where the student Senators from 15 Berks County schools will have the opportunity to hear and cross examine experts on the bills they created.
The “subpoenaed” witnesses will include:
Representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection – Testifying on SB 21 and SB 35 (Natural Gas Funding the Future Act and Alternative Industrial Energy Act)
Representatives from the Berks County District Attorney’s office– Testifying on SB 27 and SB 26 (Medical Marijuana Act and Recreational Marijuana Act)
Representatives from the Penn State Berks Agricultural Extension – Testifying on SB 19 (Agricultural Revitalization Act)
Representatives from Berks Abilities in Motion – Testifying on SB 24 (Office of Disabled Persons Act)
Major Colin Devault, Salvation Army – Testifying on SB 25 ( Office of Non-profit Community Organizations Act), and
Gregg Shemanski, president, Custom Processing Services – Testifying on SB 34 (Integration of Technology and Science in Education Act)
Se fomenta la cobertura mediática.
WHO: Sen. Judy Schwank
WHAT: Third Session of Sen. Schwank’s “Model Senate” (Committee Hearings)
WHEN: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 4
WHERE: Albright College’s Student Center – South Lounge, 1621 N. 13th St, Reading
HARRISBURG, Feb. 20, 2014 — State Sen. Judy Schwank today hailed the recent approval by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency of nearly $1.4 million in low-income housing tax credits to support two housing development projects in the City of Reading.
Schwank said PHFA approved $1 million in tax credits for the Delaware Valley Development Group to support the Homes at Riverside development, a planned 46-unit, low-income residential development near Northwest Middle School.
PHFA also approved $360,000 in tax credits for the Housing Development Corporation to support a planned $5 million rehabilitation and renovation project at the Market Square Apartment Complex in downtown Reading.
“These tax credits represent critical investments in quality, affordable housing opportunities for the citizens of Reading. They also support projects that improve and stabilize neighborhoods in our city,” said Sen. Schwank. “I was pleased to advocate for the approval of tax credits for these projects.”
Schwank said Reading’s tax credits were part of $18.7 million in funding that was approved this week by PHFA for affordable multi-family developments across the commonwealth.
HARRISBURG, 19 de febrero de 2014 - Casi 700 acres adicionales de tierras de cultivo del condado de Berks se conservarán mediante la compra de servidumbres agrícolas, anunció hoy la senadora estatal Judy Schwank.
"Añadir más tierras a la superficie protegida del desarrollo hace algo más que mantener el condado verde", dijo Schwank. "También ayuda a proteger el medio ambiente y la economía agrícola que es fundamental para nuestra prosperidad".
Los 682 acres de servidumbres están valorados en más de 1,6 millones de dólares y han sido aprobados hoy por la Junta de Preservación de Tierras Agrícolas de Pensilvania, de la que Schwank es miembro.
William & Laura Lesher Upper Tulpehocken Twsp. 75.2
Wayne Schrack Upper Tulpehocken Twsp. 42.7
Bruce & Cathy Light Bethel Twsp. 113.7
Larry & Billie Jean Stoudt Upper Bern Twsp. 68.2
Scott Troutman y familias Marion Twsp. 189.2
Familias Durkin, DiNunzio&Rick Lower Heidelberg Twsp. 182.2
Desde su creación en 1988, la Commonwealth ha protegido 4.558 explotaciones agrícolas que suman un total de 486.628 acres. En el condado de Berks se han conservado 674 explotaciones agrícolas con un total de 67.666 acres. El condado de Berks ha conservado más superficie de tierras agrícolas que cualquier otro condado del programa estatal.
El objetivo a largo plazo del programa estatal es preservar permanentemente las tierras agrícolas. Los titulares de las servidumbres tienen derecho a impedir el desarrollo o las mejoras del terreno para fines distintos de la producción agrícola.
La administración local, del condado o estatal -o cualquier combinación de las tres- puede comprar servidumbres.
Los condados que decidan tener un programa de compra de servidumbres deben crear una junta de preservación de tierras agrícolas.
HARRISBURG, 12 de febrero de 2014 - Sen. Judy Schwank dará a los estudiantes de 15 escuelas del Condado de Berks otra visión de primera mano de la vida como legislador estatal el 18 de febrero durante la tercera de las cinco sesiones en su Senado Modelo del Condado de Berks.
La tercera sesión se celebrará en el Albright College e incluirá "Audiencias del Comité del Senado" en las que los senadores estudiantiles escucharán y repreguntarán testimonios sobre los proyectos de ley creados por los legisladores modelo. Los testigos "citados" serán de:
El Departamento de Protección del Medio Ambiente - Testificando sobre SB 21 y SB 35 (Ley de Financiación del Gas Natural para el Futuro y Ley de Energía Industrial Alternativa)
El Oficina del Fiscal del Condado de Berks - Testificando sobre SB 27 y SB 26 (Ley de Marihuana Medicinal y Ley de Marihuana Recreativa)
El Penn State Berks Extensión Agrícola - Testificar sobre SB 19 (Ley de Revitalización Agrícola)
Berks Habilidades en movimiento - Testificar sobre SB 24 (Oficina de la Ley de Personas con Discapacidad)
Mayor Colin Devault, Ejército de Salvación - Testificando sobre SB 25 (Ley de la Oficina de Organizaciones Comunitarias sin Ánimo de Lucro)
Gregg Shemanski, presidente de Custom Processing Services - Testimonio sobre la SB 34 (Ley de integración de la tecnología y la ciencia en la educación)
Se fomenta la cobertura mediática.
QUIÉN: Senadora Judy Schwank
QUÉ: Tercera sesión del "Senado modelo" del senador Schwank (audiencias de comisiones)
CUÁNDO: De 12.00 a 14.00 horas, martes 18 de febrero
DÓNDE: Albright College's Student Center - South Lounge, 1621 N. 13th St, Reading
HARRISBURG, 11 de febrero de 2014 - La senadora estatal Judy Schwank dijo hoy que presentará legislación para preservar la autoridad de las comunidades para utilizar las tasas locales para apoyar sus programas de reciclaje.
"Durante más de dos décadas, nadie ha cuestionado que los municipios tengan esa capacidad", dijo el demócrata del condado de Berks. "Mi proyecto de ley dejaría muy claro que de hecho es así".
En octubre, el Tribunal de la Commonwealth dictaminó que la ley estatal de Planificación Municipal de Residuos y Reducción de Residuos, Ley 101 de 1988, obligaba a Reading a suspender su tasa mensual de reciclaje, lo que suscitó en todo el estado la preocupación de que tales tasas fueran ilegales.
La decisión quedó sin efecto cuando se supo que se había dictado después de que el hombre que había impugnado la ordenanza de Reading se declarara en quiebra, lo que privó al tribunal de autoridad en el caso. No obstante, ha suscitado la preocupación de que una demanda similar contra Reading u otro municipio pueda dar lugar a una sentencia similar.
Hasta la decisión del tribunal, Reading llevaba dos décadas aplicando esta tasa, que cubría aproximadamente el 90% del presupuesto anual de reciclaje de la ciudad, que asciende a 2,7 millones de dólares.
"El reciclaje ha demostrado su valor para la comunidad", dijo hoy Schwank (D-Berks). "La decisión del tribunal fue un shock, ya que lugares como Reading han dependido de las tasas durante años. El tribunal dijo que tienen que depender de las subvenciones estatales y los ingresos de la comercialización de los materiales reciclados, y que simplemente no es realista para cubrir los costes de los programas de reciclaje.
"Si bien el tribunal señaló que los municipios están exentos de los requisitos del Estado para reciclar cuando la financiación es insuficiente, los funcionarios de toda Pensilvania creen que la pérdida de la autoridad de tasas probablemente pondría fin o paralizaría gravemente el reciclaje municipal", dijo Schwank. "Mi proyecto de ley dejaría claro que la ley sí permite las tasas locales para el reciclaje".
La Ley 101 obliga a los municipios de al menos 10.000 habitantes a poner en marcha programas de reciclaje en la acera. Existen subvenciones para ayudar a compensar los costes, pero suelen ser insuficientes para cubrir todos los gastos relacionados con la reducción de residuos.
El condado de Berks recicló un total de 228.000 toneladas de material en 2009, según las estadísticas más recientes disponibles en el sitio web Act 101 del Departamento de Protección Medioambiental.
El total del condado de Berks fue la sexta mayor cantidad de material reciclado del estado (por detrás del condado de Filadelfia, 1,2 millones de toneladas; el condado de Allegheny, 470.000 toneladas; el condado de Lehigh, 262.000 toneladas; el condado de Montgomery, 252.000 toneladas; y el condado de Beaver, 250.000 toneladas).
Existen subvenciones estatales para ayudar a los municipios a preparar planes de reciclaje y gestión de residuos, poner en marcha programas de reciclaje, pagar a coordinadores e inspectores de programas de reciclaje y recoger residuos domésticos peligrosos.
HARRISBURG, 28 de enero de 2014 - El Senado de Pensilvania aprobó hoy por unanimidad el proyecto de ley de la senadora estatal Judy Schwank para penalizar la llamada "porno venganza", y lo hizo mientras la joven que desencadenó iniciativas en todo el país para cambiar las leyes estatales permanecía casi literalmente al lado de la legisladora demócrata del condado de Berks.
Allyson Pereira tenía 16 años cuando su ex novio publicó en Internet una foto de su cuerpo desnudo. La fotografía no autorizada se hizo viral y Pereira se convirtió rápidamente en víctima del acoso de sus compañeros de clase. La casa de su familia, al norte de Nueva Jersey, también fue objeto de vandalismo, y su historia llevó a Nueva Jersey a convertirse en el primer estado en tipificar el acto como delito.
Pereira se encontraba casualmente en Harrisburg el martes para expresar su apoyo a la propuesta de Schwank, que la sección de Pensilvania de la ACLU ha acordado que no presenta problemas con la Primera Enmienda. Fiscales, víctimas y otros defensores de la Constitución también han respaldado la iniciativa.
"Ally es víctima de acoso por parte de su pareja", dijo Schwank al presentar a Pereira al Senado. A los 16 años, la escuela puede ser bastante dura, pero en lugar de echarse atrás, Ally habló, se defendió y ayudó a animar a estados como Pensilvania a redactar nuevas leyes que castiguen a quienes hieran intencionadamente a otros".
"Estoy agradecido por la rápida tramitación de mi proyecto de ley en el Senado y espero que la Cámara de Representantes lo estudie con diligencia para que podamos presentar este proyecto al gobernador y convertirlo en ley para proteger a las personas", declaró Schwank.
Según la propuesta de Schwank, las personas que cometan el delito de acoso a la pareja íntima estarían sujetas a una pena de hasta cinco años de prisión y una multa de 10.000 dólares si se trata de una víctima menor de edad. La pena sería de hasta dos años y una multa de 5.000 dólares si la víctima es un adulto.
Cometería un delito de acoso a la pareja íntima quien, sin propósito legítimo y sin consentimiento, expusiera a un tercero una fotografía o imagen similar de la pareja íntima del agresor desnuda o explícitamente realizando un acto sexual, con la intención de acosarla, molestarla o alarmarla..
Si la Cámara y el gobernador aprueban el proyecto de ley SB 1167 de Schwank, Pensilvania se unirá a California y Nueva Jersey en la tipificación como delito de la publicación de fotos no deseadas de ex parejas sin su consentimiento. Se han propuesto y se están estudiando proyectos de ley similares en otros estados, como Nueva York y Delaware.
HARRISBURG, Jan. 15, 2014 – To improve performance and brighten the economic future for more of Pennsylvania’s struggling cities, state Sens. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and John Blake (D-Lackawanna) today introduced legislation to expand a new program designed to drive significant economic development and bring people back to cities.
The City Revitalization and Improvement Zone program became law last summer when a more limited version of the proposal was incorporated into the commonwealth’s tax code.
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Forty-five of the state’s 53 third-class cities, including Scranton and Harrisburg, were immediately precluded from consideration under that version. Reading was one of eight cities that remained eligible for the program but was shut out of participation after the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development selected Lancaster and Bethlehem for inaugural CRIZ involvement.
“We are happy that Lancaster and Bethlehem were selected and are on their way to reaping the benefits of the CRIZ program. However, there are too many cities like Scranton, Reading and Erie that need and can use this, and they should have that ability now,” Schwank said during a Capitol Rotunda press conference.
Blake called the City Revitalization and Improvement Zone program a “critical tool” that cities need to stir strong community revitalization and spark significant economic development.
“The state must be a better partner with our cities in fostering investment, stabilizing our local tax bases, and sparking economic growth and infrastructure investment. The CRIZ program can serve to revitalize Scranton, Reading and our other small cities without adverse impact on the state General Fund,” Blake said.
Under their proposal, DCED would award 15 City Revitalization and Improvement Zones between now and 2016. Bethlehem and Lancaster would be included in that total but spots would open for other communities based on population and other criteria.
After 2016, the state would add two cities every year to CRIZ, regardless of population. This is the current requirement under state law.
There would also be five pilot programs for boroughs and townships of at least 7,000 people, compared to just one under the current language. Additionally, Act 47 communities would receive priority status if they applied for CRIZ participation.
The CRIZ program was modeled after a Neighborhood Improvement Zone initiative that has proven to be an economic development marvel in downtown Allentown.
“Giving more cities the power of a CRIZ designation will bring new investment in local economies because it will target the problems that caused their financial suffering and eliminated the features that once made them vibrant,” Blake said. “CRIZ will redevelop eligible vacant, blighted and abandoned properties into commercial, exhibition, hospitality, conference, retail community or other mixed-use purpose facilities that residents will be proud of for years to come.”
“Reading, Scranton and other cities will still have to step up to the plate to qualify for CRIZ designations if this bill is adopted,” Schwank said. “Hopefully, we will give them that opportunity in time to help them.”
Properly managed, the senators said City Revitalization and Improvement Zones will not burden the commonwealth’s budget.
HARRISBURG, Jan. 14, 2013 – Legislation introduced by Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) that would make Pennsylvania the third state in the country to criminalize so-called “revenge porn” cleared a key state panel today.
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to send Schwank’s Senate Bill 1167 to the floor after approving an amendment that changed the proposed grading of the offense in cases involving minor victims and excluded its application in cases that could be prosecuted under the state “sexting” law, which was enacted in 2012.
With the amended proposal, the offense of Intimate Partner Harassment would carry a penalty of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine in cases involving victims who are minors and up to two years and $5,000 when the victim is an adult.
“It’s an important step forward to protect people from having their lives and reputations injured or ruined by a bitter former intimate,” Schwank said. “Posting these images has serious consequences for victims. It should, and under this proposal would, have serious consequences for an offender.”
Under the bill, a person who with no legitimate purpose and without consent exposes to a third person a photograph or similar image of the offender’s intimate partner nude or explicitly engaged in a sexual act, with the intent to harass, annoy or alarm him or her, would commit the crime of intimate partner harassment.
Schwank noted her work with prosecutors, victims and First Amendment advocates to craft a proposal that avoids the constitutional concerns raised in other states.
New Jersey and, recently, California have so far criminalized the acts, and other states, including New York, Rhode Island and Delaware, are currently considering how to do it.
HARRISBURG, Jan. 14, 2014 – Sen. Judy Schwank and Sen. John Blake will hold a press conference at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 15, in the Capitol to unveil a bill that would expand the state’s new City Revitalization and Improvement Zones.
Lancaster and Bethlehem were selected last month to participate in the inaugural CRIZ program, which is designed to provide significant economic development and a way out for cities struggling with declining property values, job loss and escalating crime.
Many other cities would benefit from the expanded program, the senators contend.
Se agradece la cobertura mediática.
WHAT: Sens. Judy Schwank and John Blake to hold news conference announcing new CRIZ legislation
WHEN: 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Lt. Governor’s Balcony, Main Rotunda, Harrisburg
HARRISBURG, Jan. 9, 2014 – The statewide organization representing 5,500 doctors, residents and students of family medicine has picked state Sen. Judy Schwank for its “2014 Legislator of the Year” award.
The Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians said it picked the Ruscombmanor Township Democrat because of her work to introduce and advance patient-centered medical home strategies in the commonwealth.
Schwank’s Senate Bill 1083 would establish a patient-centered medical home advisory council that would help the Department of Public Welfare to develop policies and standards that improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of health care.
Schwank and Rep. Matt Baker (R-Bradford/Tioga), who introduced a companion bill in the House, are co-recipients of the award.
“I am surprised and grateful for this recognition,” Schwank said today after receiving the academy’s notification. “Patient-centered medical homes will better organize primary care and deliver higher quality health care at lower costs because it will focus on what the patient wants and needs to get better.
“Using this model will also encourage providers and care teams to meet patients where they live. And, it will strengthen relationships between the patient and his or her providers and doctors,” she said.
READING, Jan. 9, 2014 – Sen. Judy Schwank will join members of the Oley American Legion Post 878 at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 11, to help make sandwiches as part of the group’s “Sandwiches for the Homeless” program.
The Oley Legion makes sandwiches every month for lunch bags that are delivered to homeless people in the Reading area. Many recipients are veterans. Each lunch bag contains two sandwiches, a cup of soup, a bag of pretzels and an apple.
The program operates with donations and Sen. Schwank will be making a small financial contribution when she helps make the sandwiches Saturday morning. The Oley American Legion Post 878 uses the cash donations, as well as offerings of gift cards and food, to help pay for the program.
Public donations may be mailed to the Oley American Legion Post 878, P.O. Box 200, Oley, PA 19547.
Se agradece la cobertura mediática.
WHAT: Sen. Judy Schwank to help Oley American Legion Post 878 make “Sandwiches for the Homeless”
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Oley American Legion building, Deturck Street & Legion Drive, Oley
HARRISBURG, Jan. 2, 2014 – State Sen. Judy Schwank today said she was glad to hear the commonwealth has decided to again delay implementation of new reporting requirements for organizations that operate small games of chance in Berks County and throughout Pennsylvania.
The old law required eligible organizations and clubs to file a report by Feb. 1. The delay moves the first reporting deadline to 2015.
“This is good news for the volunteer organizations, volunteer fire departments and clubs in Berks County that use small games of chance to raise much-needed revenue to operate and safeguard our neighborhoods,” Schwank said. “There now will be ample time for everyone to get up to speed with the new requirements.”
Club licensees and eligible organizations with proceeds of $20,000 or more will be required to submit electronic annual reports to the Department of Revenue for 2014 by Feb. 1, 2015. Access to the online reporting system will be available from Revenue’s website later in 2014.
Revenue, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, Gaming Control Board, and State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement will begin holding seminars this month to help retail liquor licensees better understand tavern gaming and their requirements. Click here for that schedule.
HARRISBURG, Dec. 12, 2013 – Pennsylvania’s 25-year-old agricultural land preservation movement acted today to protect another 878 acres of Berks County farmland, Sen. Judy Schwank said.
“Nine more tracts of prime Berks County farmland are now protected from development,” Schwank said. “This means, once again, that agriculture will continue on as one of this region’s biggest economic engines producing the tastiest produce, meat and dairy not only for Pennsylvanians but people throughout the world.”
The Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, of which Schwank is a member, approved the preservation of the following farms:
Ronald Bordner Perry Township 26.4 acres
Robert & Dianne Ketterer Albany Township 117.1 acres
Ronnie & Lynn Folk Upper Bern Township 137.6 acres
Richard Greib Upper Bern Township 51.6 acres
Ernest E. Heckman Windsor Township 189 acres
Charles & Christi Loverich Upper Tulpehocken Township 75 acres
Phares & Ellen Newswanger#1 Maxatawny Township 125.4 acres
Phares & Ellen Newswanger#2 Maxatawny Township 50 acres
The farms are being preserved through the purchase of $1.8 million worth of conservation easements.
Since its inception in 1988, the commonwealth has protected 4,532 farms totaling 484,270 acres. Berks County counts 668 farms in the statewide total and 66,994 acres. And, it remains the leading county in the number of acres of farmland that have been preserved.
El objetivo a largo plazo del programa estatal es preservar permanentemente las tierras agrícolas. Los titulares de las servidumbres tienen derecho a impedir el desarrollo o las mejoras del terreno para fines distintos de la producción agrícola.
La administración local, del condado o estatal -o cualquier combinación de las tres- puede comprar servidumbres.
Los condados que decidan tener un programa de compra de servidumbres deben crear una junta de preservación de tierras agrícolas.
HARRISBURG, Dec. 12, 2013 – State Sen. Judy Schwank said today she is pleased with a special commission’s recommendation to change Pennsylvania’s formula for financing special education.
The Special Education Funding Reform Commission released a long-awaited report Wednesday saying if Pennsylvania changes the way it calculates its special education payments, it will make the system more accurate, easier to use, and better distribute limited public dollars to students who need it most.
“We began our work in June to find a better formula, and we have found one that pays better attention to the needs of our special students in Berks County and beyond,” said Schwank, a member of the commission.
“Unlike a class of 5th graders or sophomores or 1st graders, special education students can have very varied needs and learning abilities and the commonwealth’s outdated funding formula has failed to understand this, leaving some schools without the resources they need to be effective,” she said.
Some 270,000 children with disabilities are educated in Pennsylvania’s special education system. That’s one of every 6.5 students.
Pennsylvania provides about $1 billion annually to districts for special education services. Most of the special education budget, however, is derived from property taxes and other local sources.
The new formula recommended by the commission factors the low, moderate, or high needs of students who will receive state investments. It also considers community differences: poverty, property tax levels, and rural and small district conditions.
Since 1991, the commonwealth has distributed its special education line item amongst districts based on a census formula. This means money is going to schools based on a formula that includes population calculations and the assumption that 15 percent of all students have mild disabilities and 1 percent of them are severely disabled.
“I learned a long time ago that it is never good to assume, so the time is now for us to replace the census formula with our new recommendation for funding special education in Pennsylvania. This is the right thing to do for taxpayers. More importantly, it’s the right thing to do for our very special special education students,” Schwank said.
Children who are considered for special education services live with impairments like hearing or vision loss, traumatic brain injuries, learning disabilities, autism, or emotional disturbance.
“History has proven that our special education children who learn in schools with adequate resources enjoy academic achievement that at least mirrors the average academic achievement for all students,” the senator said.
HARRISBURG, Dec. 11, 2013 – Legislation introduced today by state Sen. Judy Schwank would make online posting of naked or sexually explicit images of former intimate partners a crime in Pennsylvania.
The bill would make the offense a third-degree felony if the victim is a minor, carrying a penalty of up to seven years in prison. Otherwise, the crime would be a second-degree misdemeanor and carry a penalty of up to two years in prison. Fines could also be imposed.
“This is a growing problem around the country that has caused serious problems for its victims, ” Schwank said. “We need to stop it, and to do that, we need to make sure Pennsylvania officials have the tools to prosecute it.”
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So far, California and New Jersey are the only other states to have adopted laws making it a crime, although they take significantly different approaches. A number of other states, including New York and Delaware, also are in the process of considering laws.
With Schwank’s proposal, a person commits the crime of intimate partner harassment by exposing a photograph, film, videotape or similar recording of an intimate partner to a third party for no legitimate purpose and with the intent to harass, annoy or alarm the person depicted. The picture or video must be of a person who is nude or explicitly engaged in a sexual act.
It would not be a criminal offense if the person depicted in a photo or video consents to the release of the material.
“This is a new form of abuse,” Schwank said. “It can hurt the victims and their families, and it can even affect their employers.”
Schwank’s proposal has the support of the Pennsylvania District Attorney Association, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, which participated in its development. The Pennsylvania chapter of the ACLU also worked with Schwank and is neutral on the bill, agreeing that it does not present First Amendment issues that have troubled other states’ proposals.
