April 11, 2012
READING, April 11, 2012 — As firefighters continue to manage a wildfire in southeastern Berks County, state Sen. Judy Schwank reminds residents to be extra cautious about preventing a wildfire.
“A warm winter and dry, windy spring have become favorable conditions for wildfires in Berks County, as we’re now seeing in French Creek State Park,” Schwank said. “Because the plant life in our parks and forests is still dry and dormant, these fires can catch easily and spread rapidly, threatening wildlife, residential communities and the safety of our firefighters. It’s extremely important that all citizens take precautions to prevent a fire, whether they live in an urban, suburban or rural community.”
Nearly 85 percent of Pennsylvania’s wildfires occur in March, April and May and scorch 10,000 acres of woodlands across the state every year, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Forestry. Open fires are prohibited in state forestland from March 1 to May 25.
Even careless cigarette smoking can be dangerous said Schwank, who noted that a lit cigarette that was discarded in a flower bed at her Reading district office started a small fire a few months ago.
“Forest fires are certainly a major risk but garden beds and roadside areas are also very dry and possibly flammable,” Schwank said. “I urge everyone to be conscious about preventing a fire, whether they are considering building a campfire, burning trash or flicking a cigarette. A fire can happen anywhere, especially in this dry, windy weather.”
April 9, 2012
READING, April 9, 2012 – State Sen. Judy Schwank reminds families that the deadline for most college-bound students to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming school year is May 1.
All first-time applicants for state scholarship aid, including students who plan to enroll in degree programs or college transfer programs at junior colleges or other colleges or universities, and students seeking to renew their state grant aid, must file their FAFSA by this deadline, according to Schwank.
The application deadline for non-renewal students enrolling in community colleges, business or trade schools, nursing schools, or two-year programs that are not transferrable to another institution is Aug. 1.
The FAFSA is used to determine if students qualify for almost all forms of need-based financial aid, including the Pennsylvania State Grant, federal Pell Grant, many scholarships and institutional awards and low-cost student loans.
“Financial aid makes higher education affordable for many students and their families,” Schwank said. “As students seek ways to pay for college despite the economy and ever-rising tuition costs, it’s important to apply for financial aid because families could receive much-needed financial support.”
During the 2011-12 school year, 190,000 students statewide received $430.9 million in state scholarship grants. In the 11th Senatorial District alone, 4,372 students receive scholarship grant aid valued at $9.7 million. The average grant award in the 11th Senatorial District was $2,855.
Families can access the 2012-13 FAFSA and seek assistance completing the FAFSA online by visiting the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) website, www.pheaa.org or by calling the senator’s district office at 610-929-2151.
March 28, 2012
HARRISBURG, March 28, 2012 — The Senate passed legislation today that would lift restrictions on small community farm equipment dealers that want to carry and sell competitive products, while providing more options for sellers and consumers of farm products, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank.
Currently, the Pennsylvania Dealership Law regulates contracts between independent dealers and suppliers of agricultural equipment. Under Senate Bill 1169, independent agricultural equipment dealers and suppliers would be able to sell multiple product lines.
“This legislation will certainly help agriculture – Pennsylvania’s and Berks County’s number one industry – by allowing independent farm equipment sellers to better serve their rural customers and compete with big box chain stores. Additionally, it would provide farmers with more convenient access to parts and service so that they can do their job more efficiently and profitably,” said Schwank, the Democratic chairwoman of the Senate Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee.
“Lifting certain restrictions of farm equipment sales helps the economy, the industry and all consumers of Pennsylvania agricultural products.”
The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and the Pennsylvania State Grange support this legislation, Schwank said.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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March 13, 2012
READING, March 13 – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Thomas Caltagirone, D-Berks, and state Sen. Judy Schwank announced the approval of more than $30,000 in grants by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to improve the juvenile justice system in Berks County.
Caltagirone, who serves on the PCCD board, said: “These grants will help Berks County Courts handle juvenile criminal cases quickly and smoothly because the offices will have appropriate staff to accommodate case loads.
“Ultimately, this makes the court system more accountable to the public and more effective in rehabilitating troubled children,” Caltagirone continued. “It also eliminates unnecessary and costly courtroom appearances and backlogs. It’s important to remember that when we let children get lost in the criminal justice system, in the long run, no one benefits.”
“The court system is critical to maintaining order and enforcing laws, so obviously we want to make sure they are appropriately staffed,” Sen Schwank added. “This funding will help the courts meet increasing demands on their resources, but it also will give minors the counsel they need to get their lives back on track, and hopefully avoid future entanglements with the law.”
The Berks County District Attorney’s Office received $15,042 for two assistant district attorneys and one support staff for the Berks County Juvenile Court. The funding will help increase pre-hearing diversion cases, pre-hearing case negotiations, and decrease the number of preventable case continuances.
The Berks County Public Defender’s Office received $15,043 to partially fund a fully-time assistant public defender and support staff to meet increasing needs of juvenile offenders. The funding will ensue that juveniles are represented at the earliest opportunity and help public defender staff reduce conflicts that cause court delays and the need for new counsel.
The funding comes from the federal Juvenile Accountability Block Grant program for continuation projects.
March 6, 2012
READING, March 6, 2012 — The Berks County Solid Waste Authority and two local municipalities have been awarded significant state grants for their recycling efforts, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank.
“These funds will enhance local recycling efforts that will, in turn, improve our environment,” Schwank said. “I’m pleased that the state is encouraging communities to make Pennsylvania a cleaner and greener place to live and work.”
The Berks County Solid Waste Authority received a $26,310.92 grant that will be used to reimburse 50 percent of the costs for developing and operating a November 2011 household hazardous waste collection event at the Exeter Township Municipal Building. The grant was authorized by the Pennsylvania Small Business and Household Pollution Prevent Grant Program.
Kenhorst Borough received a $7,585 Recycling Performance Grant, based on the 475.1 tons recycled by the borough in 2009 and the borough’s population. Mohnton Borough received a $7,669 Recycling Performance Grant, based on the 371.2 tons recycled in 2009 and the borough’s population. This grant program provides incentives to help communities increase recycling and promote economic growth.
The grant programs operate under the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
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February 16, 2012
HARRISBURG, Feb. 16, 2011 — An additional 112 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $279,750 dollars that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Preservation Board member.
According to the senator, the following farm will be preserved:
Family Municipality Acres Preserved
Wolfskill Family Farm Lower Heidelberg Twp. 111.9
“Our farmlands play a crucial role in the vitality of our state and local economy, so it’s imperative that we preserve our agricultural industry,” Schwank said. “I’m pleased that another family farm has been preserved, thanks to the preservation board.”
Statewide, 4,243 farms totaling 459,007 acres have been preserved since the program’s inception. In Berks County 635 farms consisting of 64,403 acres have been preserved. Berks County has preserved more acreage of farmland than any other county in the state program.
The Agricultural Land Preservation Board is intended to permanently preserve large clusters of viable agricultural lands by acquiring agricultural conservation easements (ACE). An ACE prevents the development of the land for any purpose besides productive agriculture.
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February 15, 2012
HARRISBURG, Feb. 15, 2012 — Starting today, the public may now access birth and death records online and in person for free at the Pennsylvania State Archives thanks to a new law, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank.
“This is good news for families who are seeking information about their loved ones and for researchers who are looking to learn more about their communities,” Schwank said. “The new law will make it more convenient to search the state’s archives for this important information.”
Under the new law, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the Department of Health are expanding public access to birth and death certificates. Birth certificates are now available to the public 105 years after issuance and death certificates are available 50 years after issuance. This means that births from 1906 and deaths from 1906 to 1961 are available, and one year of births and deaths will be added each year from now on. Records prior to 1906 are held at the county level.
To access the records, visit www.health.state.pa.us and click on the “Birth and Death Certificates” link, or visit the State Archives at 350 North St. in Harrisburg. Researchers would need t know the year of the event, the correct spelling of the name they are searching for, and/or the county of the birth or death.
Access to the records is free. The Department of Health will continue to charge a $3 processing fee to order non-certified copies online. Copying fees may also apply at the State Archives, as well as research fees for search requests.
The legislation received unanimous support in the Senate and was signed into law as Act 110 of 2011.
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February 7, 2012
HARRISBURG, Feb. 7, 2012—State Sen. Judy Schwank today said that, for a second straight year, the governor’s Pennsylvania budget proposal calls for short-sighted cuts and no long-term solution for moving Pennsylvania forward.
“Once again, we have been offered a budget proposal that focuses more on short-sighted cuts than long-term strategic investment,” Schwank said of the $27.14 billion 2012-13 state budget. “The budget proposal announced today fails to foster job creation, close corporate tax loopholes or find a long-term transportation infrastructure funding solution.
“While the governor’s budget proposal includes no state tax increases, we will certainly feel the pain of the budget cuts in our wallets,” Schwank said. “School districts are once again victims of the budget. They will be forced to cut programs, lay off more educators, and turn to the taxpayers to make up the difference through property tax hikes.”
“Higher education has also become a target of significant budget cuts,” Schwank said. “These cuts will not only hurt the quality of education that our colleges and universities provide, but also put an affordable college education further out of reach for too many families.
“Foreign companies will continue to take advantage of the Delaware Loophole and avoid paying taxes to this commonwealth, but the middle class will be forced to empty their pockets at a time when money is already so tight,” she said.
Schwank said she has seen the consequences of failing to assist existing local businesses that want to expand and create jobs.
“When we turn our backs on the businesses that want to be here, they are lured away to other states, and we lose,” she said. “In the coming months I will be working with my senate colleagues to develop a more sustainable and responsible budget.”
Schwank delivered the Senate Democratic Caucus response to the governor’s budget address, which can be viewed online.
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January 25, 2012
READING, Jan. 25, 2012 — A Reading development project has been awarded significant state funding toward the construction of a four-star downtown hotel, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank and state Rep. Tom Caltagirone.
The Greater Berks Development Fund has been awarded a $5 million Building PA Fund loan to support, among other projects, the Downtown Reading Hotel Project.
Reading Hospitality, LLC will develop a 190,000 square-foot, four-star Doubletree Hotel located directly across from the Sovereign Center.
“The construction of a new hotel will provide a real boost to our local tourism and economy,” said Schwank (D-11th dist.). “It will entice visitors of the Sovereign Center to stay overnight in Reading before or after a show, and will attract companies and organizations to host meetings and presentations in Reading.”
“I’m so pleased that the state is investing in our area,” said Caltagirone (D-127th dist). “Hotels are economic engines for cities, and it will give out-of-town guests an opportunity to visit our shops and restaurants and enjoy all that Reading and Greater Berks have to offer.”
The funds were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).
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January 19, 2012
READING, Jan. 19, 2012 — Reading School District has been awarded a $500,000 federal grant to help foster after-school educational programs, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank and state Rep. Tom Caltagirone.
Reading was one of 17 school districts across the state to receive the 21st Century Community Learning Center Challenge grant, which will be used to establish community learning centers that would provide educational services to students in struggling school districts.
“This is an innovative plan that will reinforce the lessons our students are learning in the classroom in a safe environment,” said Schwank (D-11th dist.). “We have so many bright and eager students in the Reading School District who want to learn, and thanks to this grant, they will be able to continue their studies after school dismissal.”
“Every child deserves an opportunity to succeed, and so many students can benefit from extra opportunities to learn and grow,” said Caltagirone (D-127th dist.). “This grant will help the Reading School District ensure that students are receiving a quality education.”
Reading was selected among 119 applicants from across the state. The Pennsylvania Department of Education distributed a total of $20.9 million in federal grant funding.
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December 23, 2011
Free enrollment is now available for a limited time.
READING, Dec. 23, 2011—State Sen. Judy Schwank today said families who open or contribute to a Pennsylvania 529 College Savings account before Dec. 31 will be able to enroll for free and reduce their 2011 Pennsylvania state taxable income.
“It is never too early or too late to start saving for college, especially as tuition costs continue to rise over the years,” Schwank said. “Families who contribute before Dec. 31 will be able to reap valuable tax benefits, as well as contribute to their children’s higher education.”
Taxpayers can deduct up to $13,000 per beneficiary in PA 529 contributions from Pennsylvania taxable income on their state tax returns for 2011. Married couples filing jointly can deduct up to $26,000 per beneficiary if each spouse has taxable income of at least the amount deducted. Additionally, family and friends can contribute up to $65,000 in a single year ($130,000 for a married couple filing jointly) for each beneficiary without incurring federal gift tax consequences (assumes no other gifts in the next four years).
Plus, earnings in a 529 plan are not subject to yearly taxes as they grow, and when used for qualified higher education expenses, earnings are tax-exempt when withdrawn.
PA 529 College Savings Program is offering free enrollment – a $50 savings – for all new PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) accounts opened before Dec. 31 at www.PA529.com. Use code “StartToday” when prompted. There is no enrollment fee for the PA 529 Investment Plan (IP).
“During this holiday season, there is no better gift to give a child than a gift of an education, especially during this free enrollment period,” Schwank said. “Make a resolution for 2012 to start saving for college right now.”
To open or contribute to an account, visit www.PA529.com or call 1-800-440-4000.
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December 15, 2011
HARRISBURG, Dec. 15, 2011 — An additional 291 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $726,000 that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Preservation Board member.
According to the senator, the following farms will be preserved:
Family Municipality Acres Preserved
Larry & Denise Grumbine Bethel Twp. 126.9
Terry & Sue Kunkel Albany Twp. 93.6
Rachel Theis Oley Twp. 69.9
Total: 290.4
“I’m proud to say that Berks County has preserved more acreage of farmland than any other county in the program,” Schwank said. “Agriculture is the economic engine here, and we are making significant contributions to the state’s economy, so it’s imperative that we continue to preserve our precious and fruitful farmlands.”
Statewide 4,229 farms totaling 457,537 acres have been preserved since the program’s inception. In Berks County, 634 farms consisting of 64,291 acres have been preserved.
The Agricultural Land Preservation Board is intended to permanently preserve large clusters of viable agricultural lands by acquiring agricultural conservation easements (ACE). An ACE prevents the development of the land for any purpose besides productive agriculture.
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December 14, 2011
HARRISBURG, Dec. 14, 2011 — State Sen. Judy Schwank today issued the following statement on legislation that redraws the Congressional map in Pennsylvania into 18 districts, which passed the Senate today by a (26-24) vote:
“This map is a travesty and there’s no reasonable explanation from what I can see,” Schwank said. “At one time, Berks County was represented by one member of Congress. Considering the makeup of our population, that shouldn’t be uncommon. But somehow, we became a magnet for political upheaval and disruption, ripe for cherry-picking voters for political benefit.
“Over the past decade, we were surgically carved into four Congressional districts with a sharp partisan scalpel. The proposed plan for the next decade is more of the same,” said Schwank, who voted against Senate Bill 1249. “We will continue to have not one, but four members of Congress attempting to represent the good people of Berks County in Washington.”
Under the legislation, Berks County would be represented by the 6th, 7th, 15th and 16th districts in the U.S. House of Representatives. Only one other county on the approved Congressional map — Montgomery County — would be represented by more members of Congress.
Philadelphia and Allegheny counties, both of which have triple the number of residents that Berks County, each contain three Congressional districts.
“It is completely and totally unnecessary to divide up our county except, of course, to ensure a political stranglehold on this legislature and Congress,” Schwank said. “The new 7th Congressional district, which snakes its way into Berks, is a disgrace. It is the absolute definition of the word ‘gerrymander.’
“The purpose of redistricting is to reflect changes in population to ensure that the people are properly represented in the state legislature and in Congress,” Schwank said. “The Congressional redistricting map is a blatant attempt to protect seats.
“To slice and dice our county away for political gain is not in the best interest of the 403,000 Pennsylvanians who live in Berks County,” Schwank said. “These actions seek only to divide rather than unite and they are disrespectful to the wishes of the people for fair representation.”
Senate Bill 1249 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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December 14, 2011
HARRISBURG, December 14, 2011 – State Sen. Judy Schwank reminds eligible citizens that the application for the state property tax/rent rebate is due Dec. 31.
“Last year, more than 31,000 Berks County residents collected $14.7 million in rebates. That’s significant savings,” Schwank said. “In this economy, folks can benefit from this program more than ever, so I urge eligible individuals to apply now, and I encourage everyone to remind your friends and loved ones who would qualify for a rebate that the deadline is fast approaching.”
Applications and free filing assistance are available at the senator’s district office at the Rockland Professional Center, 1940 N. 13th St., Suite 232 in Reading.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000) and information are also available online at www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com or by calling 1-888-222-9190 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded.
The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners can increase rebates to $975.
The state is providing $776.2 million in property tax relief this year, including expanded rebates from the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program and general property tax relief for all homeowners distributed through school districts last summer. As a result, school property tax bills were completely eliminated for about 120,000 residents statewide this year.
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November 23, 2011
READING, Nov. 23, 2011 — After receiving public input on the recent storm-related power outages that occurred in Berks County, State Sen. Judy Schwank provided the results of a storm-related power outage survey, she recently conducted, to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and asked the Commission to come up with a specific plan of action plan to improve the performance of utilities in future weather emergencies.
“More than 250 residents responded to my request for information with detailed accounts of their storm and power-outage experiences,” Schwank said. “I am grateful for their input and believe the responses will help improve how our utilities and the PUC respond during emergencies such as this.”
Earlier this month, Schwank asked the tens of thousands of Berks County residents who were left without power to provide her with specific information about their utility’s response to any problems they experienced with their service during and after the storm in an effort to gain an understanding of the storm’s impact on consumers.
Schwank said the results of the survey provided an eye-opening perspective of the storm’s impact and the response of the utility companies. The survey found that:
- Nearly 80 percent of respondents experienced power outages of more than 3 days;
- Sixty-five percent endured more than five days without power;
- More than 40 percent of the respondents cited poor communication and financial loss as their chief concerns;
- A third of respondents cited inadequate line maintenance as an important concern; and
- Eighteen percent mentioned frequent outages and service reliability and medical concerns as major issues.
Today, Schwank sent a letter to the PUC detailing the results of the public survey and requesting a specific action plan from the commission.
“The purpose of this effort is not to castigate or vilify utility employees; indeed, the linemen and women and other workers worked very hard under extraordinary conditions to restore power,” said Senator Schwank. “The goal here is to get the Commission to consider the real faces and real life impacts of the storm and the response of utilities to it and take substantive action to ensure that they do better in the future. In particular, two glaring areas that need improvement are the method and manner utilities employ to communicate with customers during outages and the extent and quality of their preemptive maintenance and equipment repair and replacement programs. “
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November 22, 2011
READING, Nov. 22, 2011-– State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th dist.) presents a Senate citation to Craig Breneiser of Reading at the Nov. 21 Pennsylvania State EMS Awards dinner, hosted by the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council. Breneiser was this year’s recipient of the 2011 EMS Communications Award. Breneiser served Berks County for 29 years as an emergency communications professional, including two decades leading the county emergency communications operations. He was instrumental in Berks County becoming one of the first Public Safety Access Points in the state to incorporate 911 into its operations. Breneiser also served as president of Exeter EMS and was an EMT for many years. He also served as an Exeter Township Township Supervisor and a Boy Scout leader.
November 15, 2011
HARRISBURG, Nov. 15, 2011 — State Sen. Judy Schwank today issued the following statement on legislation that creates a Marcellus Shale impact fee (Senate Bill 1100), which passed the Senate today by a (29-20) vote:
“We have a responsibility to restore and protect our ground water and streams, but Senate Bill 1100 makes a meager attempt at best to do so. It fails to reasonably require the natural gas industry to make a realistic and reasonable contribution in fair exchange for the wealth it is extracting from our ground,” said Schwank, who voted against the measure. “In the epic struggle over whether we will have a ‘tax’ or a ‘local impact fee,’ environmental stewardship has become not much more than a sidebar.
“This issue does not just impact the Marcellus Shale region. It impacts every single Pennsylvanian,” Schwank said. “The fresh water, the soil, and the air belong to all of us.
“Natural gas drilling is booming in Pennsylvania and there is no doubt that it will have a lasting economic and environmental impact on Pennsylvania. It is important that we properly regulate the industry with careful and thoughtful measures that will benefit this commonwealth now and for generations to come. This legislation could have been an important opportunity to learn from the mistakes of the past to make ourselves stronger in the future. But I’m afraid we’ve missed the mark with this vote.”
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November 9, 2011
READING, Nov. 9, 2011—State Sen. Judy Schwank is seeking the public’s input on the recent storm that brought winter weather to Berks County and left hundreds of thousands of residents without power.
“While we couldn’t anticipate the scope of this pre-winter snowfall, it left many residents in the cold and dark for days. I believe the lagging response from our local utilities must be examined,” said Schwank, who also lost power for several days. “I am asking for constituents to share their stories with me so that I can take the right steps to ensure that we receive a better response from our local utilities in the future.”
The senator recently sent a letter urging the Public Utility Commission to review the response of the area’s utility companies to the Oct. 29 storm and she plans to follow up with PUC and the utilities to discuss this issue further.
“It would be helpful if residents who were affected could provide me with specific information about their utility’s response to any problems they experienced with their service during and after the storm,” Schwank said. “Their story will be used for the sole purpose of gaining an understanding of the storm’s impact on consumers.”
A submission form is available on the senator’s website at www.senatorschwank.com/outage. Residents may also submit their account in writing to State Sen. Judy Schwank, RE: Power Outage, Rockland Professional Center, 1940 N. 13th St., Suite 232, Reading, PA 19604.
Editor’s Note: Attached is a copy of the letter Sen. Schwank sent to the Public Utility Commission.
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November 1, 2011
HARRISBURG, Nov. 1, 2011 — State Sen. Judy Schwank said today’s Senate passage of a statewide ban on texting while driving sends a clear message to drivers: “Keep both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”
Senate Bill 314, which passed the Senate by a 45-5 vote, prohibits the operation of a moving vehicle while using a wireless communication device to send, read or write a text message.
This violation would be considered a primary offense, which means a law enforcement officer can pull over a driver for that offense alone, and would be punishable by a $50 fine.
“This legislation will protect all motorists from the careless drivers who engage in the dangerous act of texting while driving,” Schwank said. “Pennsylvania is now one step closer toward ensuring that drivers keep both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”
Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
“Texting while driving a vehicle completely impairs a driver’s awareness of the road and their surroundings,” Schwank said. “No message is worth endangering lives.”
The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.
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Pennsylvania’s New Texting Ban: Ten Things You Should Know
October 28, 2011
READING, Oct. 28, 2011— State Sen. Judy Schwank announced today that two Berks County townships will receive state grants to maintain their recycling programs.
Bern Township will receive a $14,211 grant, which is based on the 1,261.9 tons recycled for 2009 and the township’s population.
Colebrookdale Township will receive a $26,121 grant, which is based on the 1,286.4 tons recycled for 2009 and the township’s population.
“Residents and officials of both municipalities can be proud of the success of their local recycling programs,” Schwank said. “Their efforts are keeping materials out of landfills, preserving our natural resources, protecting our environment, and leveraging state funding to help make their recycling programs even more successful.”
The funding was administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Recycling Performance Grant Program, which provides incentives to help communities increase the amount of materials recovered through recycling and promote economic growth through job creation.
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October 26, 2011
Her proposed amendment to improve the legislation failed along party lines
HARRISBURG, Oct. 26, 2011 — Concerned that school vouchers legislation would hurt the public school students who would be left behind in its wake, state Sen. Judy Schwank today voted against Senate Bill 1.
The bill passed the Senate today by a (27-22) vote.
“This bill is not about school choice. In fact, our public schools will only suffer under this legislation,” Schwank said. “I’m extremely concerned that poorer school districts, which are already suffering from state budget cuts, will face further cuts if students leave for alternative education.
“Many of our public schools are making progress. They are succeeding despite difficult economic circumstances like budget cuts and poverty,” Schwank said. “Senate Bill 1 will only impede that progress. We must look out for all students, the majority of whom will not be impacted by this legislation.
“I believe that students deserve every opportunity to succeed. We can accomplish this in many ways, including some portions of Senate Bill 1,” she said. “However, the fundamental measures in this bill will have a long-lasting negative impact on our public schools. I could not support this measure today.”
The senator said she was concerned about the portion of the legislation that would require that all basic education funding and subsidies would leave with the students who transfer to another school through the voucher plan.
In response, Schwank offered an amendment that would have placed a limit on the financial loss that school districts would experience if students leave their public school for alternative education. The Senate opposed the amendment by a 19-30 vote.
“When we talk about providing the best opportunities for our school children, we must be realistic. School districts should be held accountable for their curriculum, but our public schools are also a necessary part of our society,” Schwank said. “We had an opportunity today to make sure that Senate Bill 1 was more fiscally responsible through this amendment and I’m disappointed that the Senate voted in opposition.”
Schwank said she supported aspects of the school voucher legislation; notably, the extension of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC), which provides financial assistance to working and middle class families seeking educational options for their children.
She voted in favor of two Democratic-sponsored amendments that called for further increases to the EITC plan in the legislation; however, those measures were defeated on the Senate floor today.
Senate Bill 1 now heads to the House for consideration.
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October 26, 2011
READING, Oct. 26, 2011 — A sewer project in Virginville, Richmond Township will receive significant state funding to relieve residential septic system issues, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, who was instrumental in ensuring that the project would receive appropriate financial support.
Richmond Township will receive a $1,095,351grant and a $631,849 low-interest loan through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). The funds will be used toward the construction of a conventional sewage system in the Virginville Area of Richmond Township.
Once completed, the project will eliminate an ongoing problem with malfunctioning septic systems in the community.
“The residents of Virginville have put up with these issues for too long, and a new sewage system will provide significant relief,” Schwank said. “I’m pleased that this project is receiving state support.”
Richmond Township previously received a $500,000 H2O grant to support this project through the efforts of the senator. This time, Schwank successfully urged PENNVEST to treat the Virginville Project as a stand-alone, start-up project.
“It was important that this sewer project receive its own consideration so it could receive the attention and the funding package that it deserved,” she said. “The state’s support of the project will help keep monthly service rates manageable for Virginville residents, many of whom are senior citizens with modest incomes.”
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October 20, 2011
Harrisburg, October 20, 2011 – Testimony before a joint legislative hearing today strongly supports the call for changing the authority and restrictions in Pennsylvania law relating to municipal government, state Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said after the hearing.
“It’s obvious that our current laws no longer give communities the tools they need to look after their well-being. In too many cases, we already are seeing towns and cities entering into slow death spirals,” said Schwank, a former Berks County commissioner and past-Chairperson of the State Planning Board.
Witnesses appearing before the panel on Thursday painted stark pictures of the fiscal problems facing communities across the state, including many that now or in the foreseeable future will be unable to provide basic services because of declining tax bases and increasing demands as their populations shrink and age.
“We have to turn this around and begin to seriously deal with these issues as a state. The problems are enormously complex, and some of the answers have the potential to be tremendously challenging politically,” she said. “If we don’t begin to act, everything else we do to encourage economic development and jobs across Pennsylvania will have unreasonably limited meaning and impact.
“It’s not enough, as one of the witnesses pointed out, to get troubled communities to the point where bills are paid. They still have to be places where people want to live.”
Schwank made her comments following the first of two scheduled joint hearings by the Senate and House committees on Local Government, the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee and the House Urban Affairs Committee into the effectiveness of the Municipalities Financial Recovery law, popularly known as Act 47 for financially-distressed communities.
Since Act 47 became law in 1987, more than two dozen communities including Harrisburg and Reading — a city which Senator Schwank represents — have sought its protection. Only six municipalities have completed recovery under Act 47; 11 municipalities remained under Act 47 for more than a decade.
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October 18, 2011
Day Care, Adult Care, Job Training, School-to-Work Transition, and Green Jobs are Targeted
HARRISBURG, October 18, 2011 – – Today members of the Senate Democratic caucus unveiled legislation to be introduced this week to supplement the “PA Works Now” job creation plan, which has become the centerpiece of their agenda for the fall session. Senate Democrats will continue to offer solutions to the problems that prevent Pennsylvanians from finding and maintaining jobs in hopes the dialogue in the Capitol will begin to center on this pressing issue.
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Senator Schwank on “Pa Works” Tax Incentive Proposal for Day Care unveiled at State Capitol news conference today. [audio:https://www.senatorschwank.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/pa-works-schwank-day-care-alternatives1.mp3|titles=pa-works-schwank-day-care-alternatives]
“We can’t drag our feet when it comes to this. Families are struggling, and with each day that goes by they lose hope in our ability to help them,” said Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh/Monroe/Northampton), Senate Democratic Policy chair. “We visited a number of communities across the state and gathered valuable – and in many cases very moving – feedback. This is the number one issue on people’s minds. We need to keep talking until we make it the number one priority on the minds of those serving in Harrisburg.”
The plan focuses on 6 key areas:
Tax credit incentives to encourage employer supported day care alternatives
This measure would provide tax incentives to small businesses that help employees cover the costs of child care and adult day care. Working families should not be constrained because they can’t find day care services. It’s not good for their quality of life. And it’s not helpful to our economy.
Sen. Judy Schwank is the prime sponsor of this legislation. “Many of us know all too well that day care is expensive, and many families have to weigh the cost of day care verses their weekly paycheck,” said Schwank (D-Berks). “For others, there is no choice. They have to work, and the only way they can work is if they have child care or adult day care and know their loved ones are safe while they earn a day’s pay.”
Improve School-to-Work Transition
Successful careers in today’s knowledge based economy require most students to pursue some post secondary training. However, many of these experiences do not require a four-year baccalaureate degree. Community colleges, technical colleges, apprenticeship programs, direct employer sponsored programs, and the military services all have important roles in providing these education and training experiences. Unfortunately, many students fail to receive the necessary career advice and training in the final years of their high school education to properly transition into these training and education opportunities following their high school graduation.
Boscola is the prime sponsor of legislation that would require every local school district to develop an individual education plan to ensure that every student’s high school experience envisions and prepares them for a career path. “We need to do everything in our power to get kids on the right track early. Many don’t know all of the options available to them until they have already pursued another path,” said Boscola. “In this economy there isn’t time for do-overs. This legislation would give them the tools and information they need to make these decisions which may ultimately impact their entire lives.”
Youth Summer Job Program
Summer employment programs can provide a valuable public service while giving youth valuable training and career experience. This measure would focus exclusively on youth summer employment opportunities at state parks and municipal recreational facilities throughout the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) would directly administer jobs created at state parks, while local governments could apply to DCNR to receive grants, not to exceed $2,500 per job, for work experiences at local recreational facilities. An estimated 10,000 jobs could be supported annually through a $25 million transfer from the Oil and Gas Fund.
Sen. Shirley Kitchen is introducing the legislation this week. “This is a win-win situation,” said Kitchen (D-Philadelphia). “Not only will youth learn valuable job skills and gain work experience, but our state parks and other recreational areas, which were hit particularly hard by last spring’s budget battle and the harsh cuts that resulted, will benefit too.”
PA Training Program for Marcellus Shale Drilling Operations
Marcellus Shale drilling has been a major economic boost for many areas throughout our state. Unfortunately, significant numbers of currently employed workers at these job sites continue to be people from outside of Pennsylvania. When we enact a drilling fee on Marcellus Shale operators later this fall, an annual set-aside of $5 million should fund specialized training programs, administered through local organized labor groups, to give Pennsylvanians the necessary skill sets to fill these jobs. A portion of these funds should be earmarked specifically to develop and staff a call center, with preference for the disabled to fill these jobs. The unemployment rate among the disabled is nearly 50 percent higher than for the rest of the workforce.
Sen. Christine Tartaglione is the prime sponsor of this measure. “My bill would set aside a portion of the revenue from a Marcellus Shale extraction tax to develop specialized training programs for jobs in the gas industry. The recent cuts to higher education have made college less likely for thousands of people. With a dedicated training program geared toward the various parts of the extraction, storage and transport of natural gas, we can put Pennsylvanians back to work,” said Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia). “While we push for specialized training for jobs in the gas industry, we will also push to make sure that this effort involves every Pennsylvanian who wants to work. My bill calls for development and staffing of a call center to connect willing workers with the right training program and for that call center to be staffed by people with disabilities.”
Incentives to Grow Women & Minority Owned Businesses
We are making a renewed push to encourage the growth of women, minority, or veteran-owned, or other disadvantaged small businesses by providing an array of incentives. Sen. LeAnna Washington’s Senate Bill 696, which was introduced as part of our original PA Works package, calls for a statewide bonding guarantee program, mentor-protégée support, a 10 percent reserve program for state contracts and other targets and incentives to increase employment opportunities for these businesses.
“Women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses all have bring something different to the table that you might not see every day in every business,” said Washington (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery). “Women have firsthand knowledge of some of the barriers to pursuing a career and the pull of other responsibilities. Minority and veteran business owners may be a bit more sensitive to the difficulties in finding work because of the hurdles and high unemployment statistics they face.”
Green Jobs Employment & Training Program
Sen. Kitchen’s Senate Bill 687, which was also introduced as part of our original PA Works package, creates the Green Work Force Training Program. The program would provide $5 million annually for each of the next three fiscal years to the Department of Labor and Industry to provide grants to vocational technical schools, community colleges, public or private higher education institutions, labor organizations, or privately licensed schools. The grants would be used to develop training programs for careers in emerging renewable energy or energy efficiency.
“If we are going to get out of this economic slump and compete in a national and global economy, a well-trained workforce is essential,” said Kitchen. “One of the areas that has great potential for our economic outlook is the green jobs sector. It’s an emerging industry that we must invest in if we want to move Pennsylvania forward.”
Dr. Thomas Rushton, the director of the Monroe Career & Technical Institute, also shared his firsthand experiences with school-to-work transition and gave input on how a program like the one introduced by Sen. Boscola would benefit the students he deals with in Monroe County.
PennEnvironment Director David Masur participated and shared information about the potential impact of Senate Bill 687 and the Green Workforce Training Program.
For more information on the PA Works Now program go to http://www.pasenate.com.
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October 13, 2011
Harrisburg, October 13, 2011 — An additional 285 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $681,127 dollars that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Preservation Board member.
According to Sen. Schwank, the following farms will be preserved:
Family Municipality Acres Preserved
Robert French Perry Twsp. 134.8
Norman Martin Richmond Twsp. 27.4
Paul and Anna Mae Martin Richmond Twsp. 47.3
Levi and Doris Zimmerman Tulpehocken Twsp. 75.3
Total: 284.8
“Agriculture is a significant economic driver in Berks County,” Schwank said. “Farmland conservation easements ensure that the land is protected so that we can continue to provide food and preserve our county’s number one industry.”
The Agricultural Land Preservation Board is intended to permanently preserve large clusters of viable agricultural lands by acquiring agricultural conservation easements (ACE).
An ACE prevents the development of the land for any purpose besides productive agriculture.
Statewide 4,208 farms totaling 455,207 acres have been preserved since the program’s inception. In Berks County 631 farms consisting of 64,000 acres have been preserved. Berks County has preserved more acreage of farmland than any other county in the state program.
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