Latest News
Schwank: 243 Acres of Farmland Preserved in Berks County
HARRISBURG, Aug. 23, 2012 — An additional 243 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $607,000 dollars that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to...
Schwank Comments on PUC Report on Storm Response
READING, Aug. 9, 2012 — State Sen. Judy Schwank called the recent release of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's (PUC) evaluation of the response of electric utilities to outages caused by multiple severe storms last year a “step in the right direction,” but...
Sen. Schwank Comments on State Budget Legislation
HARRISBURG, June 30, 2012 — State Senator Judy Schwank said today that while the new state budget achieves an appropriate funding level, she voted against it because it fails to properly fund important programs and services. “This is a pass-the-buck budget” said...
Schwank Reminds Dog Owners to Get Their Pet Licensed
HARRISBURG, June 19, 2012 – State Sen. Judy Schwank today reminded dog owners that Pennsylvania law requires that they purchase an annual dog license. “Obtaining a state license is not only the law, but it’s also one more way you can show your love for your...
Schwank: 34 Acres of Farmland Preserved in Berks County
HARRISBURG, June 14, 2012 — An additional 34 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $85,250 dollars that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state...
Schwank Resolution Calls for Legislative Plan to Improve Basic Education
READING, June 8, 2012 — As school districts across Pennsylvania struggle with gaping budget deficits and subsequent cuts in staff and programs, state Sen. Judy Schwank joined local public school advocates today to introduce her resolution that calls on the governor to...
Schwank: Recycling Grants Awarded in Berks County
READING, May 18, 2012 — Two local municipalities have been awarded significant state grants for their recycling efforts, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank. Exeter Township received an $83,897 Recycling Performance Grant based on the 8,808 tons recycled for 2010 and...
State Sen. Judy Schwank Rallies to Restore Funding to Programs Assisting Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
May 8, 2012 - At a rally today in Harrisburg, people with disabilities, advocates, families, service organizations and supporters called on the state legislature to oppose the proposed 20 percent in state budget cuts to programs that support individuals with...
Schwank, Caltagirone Announce State Grant to Berks Community Health Center
READING, April 30, 2012 — Berks Community Health Center has been selected to receive a Community Primary Care Challenge Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank and state Rep. Thomas Caltagirone. The $500,000 grant will...
Schwank, Caltagirone Announce State Funds for Reading Sewer Improvements
READING, April 25, 2012 — The City of Reading has received significant state funding toward a project that will improve the city’s sewer system, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank and state Rep. Thomas Caltagirone. The $10 million low-interest loan, administered by...
Schwank: 57 Acres of Farmland Preserved in Berks County
HARRISBURG, April 19, 2012 — An additional 57 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $143,000 dollars that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to...
Schwank, Spring Clean Berks to Host May 5 Spring Clean Up
READING, April 16, 2012 — State Sen. Judy Schwank is partnering with Spring Clean Berks, in conjunction with The Great American Clean Up, to hold an upcoming cleanup initiative in the 11th Senatorial District. Individuals of all ages are welcome to volunteer at the...
Schwank Urges Residents to Take Precautions to Prevent Wildfires
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...
Schwank: Financial Aid Application Deadline Approaching
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...
Schwank Applauds Passage of Farm Equipment Bill
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...
Caltagirone, Schwank announce $30,000 in grants for juvenile courts in Berks County
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...
Schwank: Three Recycling Grants Awarded in Berks County
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...
Schwank: 112 Acres of Farmland Preserved in Berks County
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...
Schwank: Access to Birth, Death Records Now Available
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...
Schwank: Budget Proposal Again Calls for Short-Sighted Cuts
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...
Schwank: Reading Hotel Project Awarded Significant State Funds
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...
Schwank, Caltagirone: Reading School District Awarded Significant Federal Grant
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...
Schwank: Enroll in PA 529 College Savings Plan Now for Tax Savings
Free enrollment is now available for a limited time. READING, Dec. 23, 2011—State Sen. Judy Schwank today said families who open or contribute to a Pennsylvania 529 College Savings account before Dec. 31 will be able to enroll for free and reduce their 2011...
Schwank: 291 Acres of Farmland Preserved in Berks County
HARRISBURG, Dec. 15, 2011 — An additional 291 acres of Berks County farmland will be preserved through the purchase of conservation easements valued at $726,000 that were approved today by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board, according to state Sen....
Schwank Opposes Plan to Keep Berks Divided into Four Congressional Districts
HARRISBURG, Dec. 14, 2011 — State Sen. Judy Schwank today issued the following statement on legislation that redraws the Congressional map in Pennsylvania into 18 districts, which passed the Senate today by a (26-24) vote: “This map is a travesty and there’s no...
Schwank: Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Deadline Approaching
HARRISBURG, December 14, 2011 – State Sen. Judy Schwank reminds eligible citizens that the application for the state property tax/rent rebate is due Dec. 31. “Last year, more than 31,000 Berks County residents collected $14.7 million in rebates. That’s significant...
Schwank Asks PUC to Come Up with An Action Plan to Improve the Performance of Utilities in Future Weather Emergencies
READING, Nov. 23, 2011 — After receiving public input on the recent storm-related power outages that occurred in Berks County, State Sen. Judy Schwank provided the results of a storm-related power outage survey, she recently conducted, to the Public Utilities...
Schwank Honors EMS Communications Award Recipient
READING, Nov. 22, 2011-- State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th dist.) presents a Senate citation to Craig Breneiser of Reading at the Nov. 21 Pennsylvania State EMS Awards dinner, hosted by the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council. Breneiser was this year’s...
Schwank: Environment an Afterthought in Natural Gas Drilling Impact Fee Bill
HARRISBURG, Nov. 15, 2011 — State Sen. Judy Schwank today issued the following statement on legislation that creates a Marcellus Shale impact fee (Senate Bill 1100), which passed the Senate today by a (29-20) vote: “We have a responsibility to restore and protect our...
Schwank Seeks Residents’ Feedback on Storm-Related Power Outages
READING, Nov. 9, 2011—State Sen. Judy Schwank is seeking the public’s input on the recent storm that brought winter weather to Berks County and left hundreds of thousands of residents without power. “While we couldn’t anticipate the scope of this pre-winter snowfall,...
Schwank Applauds Senate Passage of Ban on Texting While Driving
HARRISBURG, Nov. 1, 2011 — State Sen. Judy Schwank said today’s Senate passage of a statewide ban on texting while driving sends a clear message to drivers: “Keep both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.” Senate Bill 314, which passed the Senate by a 45-5 vote,...
Schwank: Bern, Colebrookdale Townships Receive Recycling Grants
READING, Oct. 28, 2011— State Sen. Judy Schwank announced today that two Berks County townships will receive state grants to maintain their recycling programs. Bern Township will receive a $14,211 grant, which is based on the 1,261.9 tons recycled for 2009 and the...
Schwank Opposes School Vouchers Bill
Her proposed amendment to improve the legislation failed along party lines HARRISBURG, Oct. 26, 2011 — Concerned that school vouchers legislation would hurt the public school students who would be left behind in its wake, state Sen. Judy Schwank today voted against...