Press Releases
Senate Democrats to Introduce Legislation to Codify Roe v Wade Protections in PA Law
HARRISBURG, June 27, 2022 − Seven members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus circulated a memo on Friday afternoon to take steps to codify into state law the personal right to make decisions about health and reproduction, including access to safe and legal...
Women’s Health Caucus Co-Chairs, Democratic Leaders Vow to Protect Abortion Access in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg — June 27, 2022 — Today, the four co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus were joined by senate and house Democratic Leaders Sen. Jay Costa and Rep. Joanna McClinton to talk about the reversal of Roe v. Wade and the need to preserve...
Sen. Schwank Issues Statement on Reversal of Roe V. Wade
Reading − June 24, 2022 − The following is a statement from state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th) condemning today’s reversal of Roe V. Wade. “Today’s ruling is a severe blow to women across the country. A crucial right that has allowed women to make their own health care...
Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus Co-Chairs and Members of State Senate Democratic Caucus Slam Supreme Court Decision, Call for Action to Preserve Abortion Access in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg − June 24, 2022 − Co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus (WHC) and members of the Pennsylvania State Senate Democratic Caucus criticized today's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The ruling...
Senate Democrats Support Pres. Biden’s Call for State Gas Tax Holiday
Harrisburg, PA – June 22, 2022 – Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats held a press conference shortly after President Joe Biden made a call to federal and state law makers to pause gas taxes. “Our stance is simple; we are calling on state...
Bill Establishing WIC Advisory Board Passes Pennsylvania Senate
Harrisburg — June 15, 2022 — Today, SB967, which would establish a Women, Infants, and Children advisory board in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, passed the senate by a vote of 49-1. The Pennsylvania Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WIC has...
Sen. Judy Schwank Issues Statement on the Passing of Reading City Council President Jeffrey S. Waltman, Sr.
Reading—June 13, 2022— The following is a statement from state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th) on the passing of Reading City Council President Jeffrey S. Waltman, Sr. “I’m incredibly saddened by the sudden passing of my friend and colleague Jeffrey Waltman, who served the...
Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus: Statement on Leaked Roe v. Wade Draft Opinion
Harrisburg, PA − May 3, 2022 − The co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus (WHC), Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Montgomery, Delaware), Representative Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia) and Representative Mary Jo Daley...
Senate Dems Discuss Challenges of Childcare Facing College Students at Policy Hearing
BLUE BELL, April 28, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today joined Senator Maria Collett, Senator Amanda Cappelletti, Senator Carolyn Comitta and Senator Judy Schwank to host a public...
Schwank Applauded $4.45 Million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project Grant Funding for the 11th District
Reading – April 22, 2022 – Today, State Sen. Judy Schwank announced two 11th District projects will receive $4.45 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project (RACP) grant funding from the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget. $1.45 million will go to Reading...
Three 11th District Organizations Receive Nonprofit Security Grant Program Funding
Reading – April 14, 2022 – Today, three organizations located in Pennsylvania’s 11th Senatorial District received a total of $194,000 in Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). The Nonprofit...
Schwank and Street Announce Plan to Ban Delta-8 THC in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg – April 6, 2022 – Today, State Sens. Judy Schwank and Sharif Street issued a co-sponsor memorandum for a bill they plan to introduce that would ban the sale of delta-8 THC products in Pennsylvania. The Food and Drug Administration defines delta-8 THC as a...
Schwank and Rozzi Promote Bias Training Bills at Kutztown’s 18th Annual Community Forum
Reading, PA – March 25, 2022 – This morning Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th) and Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-126th) spoke at Kutztown University’s 18th Annual Community Forum about SB 163 and HB 1140, which would require public employees and licensed medical professionals to receive...
Schwank Hosts Second Session of Model Senate
Reading – March 18, 2022 – Sen. Judy Schwank hosted the second session of her annual model senate program today at the Muhlenberg Township Municipal Building. During the second session, over 40 high school students from local school districts participated...
PA Women’s Health Caucus Expresses Gratitude to Abortion Providers Across the Commonwealth on Abortion Provider Appreciation Day
Harrisburg, PA − March 10, 2022 − The co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus (WHC), Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Montgomery, Delaware), Representative Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia) and Representative Mary Jo Daley...
Schwank Hosts Model Senate Program for Local High Schoolers
Reading – February 18, 2022 – Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) welcomed roughly 40 students from local high schools to her office in Muhlenberg Township to participate in the first of three sessions for her annual model senate program. After a year...
Schwank Visits Amanda E. Stout Elementary School to Promote Certified Librarian Legislation
Reading – February 16, 2022 – Today, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) visited Amanda E. Stout Elementary school to meet and read to a first grade class and to discuss SB 964, which would require Pennsylvania public schools to have a certified librarian on staff....
PA Women’s Health Caucus Responds to Governor Tom Wolf’s Budget Address
Harrisburg, PA − February 9, 2022 − The co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus (WHC) applaud Governor Tom Wolf for his budget proposal that utilizes the nearly $6 billion budget surplus and puts Pennsylvania on the path to make historic investments in...
Sen. Schwank to Host Student Mental Health Webinar
Reading − February 1, 2022 – On Thursday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m., Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) will be hosting a virtual event on student mental health via zoom. The event is open to the public and will feature four Berks County based experts who have been working...
State Announces $4.5 Million for Nonprofit Security Grant Program
Reading – January 27, 2022 – This morning, Gov. Tom Wolf and members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate announced $4.5 million in funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) would be made available for non-profits that could be the...
State Awards BCAP $600 Thousand for Violence Prevention Programming
Reading – January 26, 2022 – This afternoon, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) announced the Berks Community Action Program, Inc. (BCAP) received $600,000 for violence prevention initiatives. Over $24 million in Violence Intervention and...
Sen. Schwank and Sen. Vogel Unveil Legislation to Protect Pennsylvania Grain Farmers
Harrisburg – January 25, 2022 – Today, Sen. Judy Schwank (D- 11th district) and Sen. Elder Vogel (R-47th district) unveiled Senate Bill 1032, which would protect farmers from grain handlers that become insolvent. Pennsylvania currently has no...
Schwank Applauds $176 Thousand in Safe Schools Target Grants
Reading – January 21, 2022 – Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) applauded today’s awarding of $176,798 in Safe Schools Targeted Grants to Berks County school districts by Gov. Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. “Every investment we can make in...
5 Berks County Conservation Projects Receive State Grant Funding
Reading – December 30, 2021 – The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) today announced that five Berks County projects were awarded $894,200 in grant funding. Statewide, 317 projects, including four in the 11th senatorial...
Schwank Releases Statement on Joint Fireworks Hearing
Harrisburg, PA – December 15, 2021 – After today’s joint Pennsylvania House and Senate Agricultural and Rural Affairs committee hearing on fireworks law, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th District) provided the following statement: “Today’s hearing was useful. We...
Wolf Administration, General Assembly Announce $11.4 Million Investment in Cold Storage Infrastructure for Food Banks
Reading, PA – December 9, 2021 − First Lady Frances Wolf joined members of the General Assembly and representatives from the charitable food network today at Mary’s Shelter in Reading to announce an $11.4 million investment in cold...
Baby Formula Manufacturer ByHeart Awarded $1.75 Million in Grant Funding
Reading- December 6, 2021 − Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th District) announced today that ByHeart was awarded $1.75 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant funding for improvements to a Reading-based facility. ByHeart’s Project Lexington is...
Alvernia’s Reading CollegeTowne Awarded $1 Million in Grant Funding
Reading − December 6, 2021 − The second phase or Alvernia’s Reading CollegeTowne project was awarded $1 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant funding for Gov. Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget.\ The grant funding will go...
Senate Dems Discuss Evaluating and Improving Drug Treatment Centers at Policy Hearing
READING, December 6, 2021 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senators Judy Schwank and Christine Tartaglione to host a public hearing on evaluating and improving drug...
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 542 Receives $745 Thousand for Training Facility
Reading − December 3, 2021 − Sen. Judy Schwank and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 542 announced $745,000 in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant funding from Gov. Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget. The funding...
Schwank, Rozzi and Guzman Applaud $7.5 Million in State Funding for R-Phils, Tout Community Effort to Improve Stadium
Reading − December 3, 2021 − Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district), Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-126th) and Rep. Manny Guzman (D-127th) applauded today’s awarding of $7.5 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funding by Gov. Tom Wolf and the...
Borough of Topton Receives Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant
Reading – November 19, 2021 – State legislators Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) and Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-134th district) announced today that the Borough of Topton was awarded a $168,594 Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) grant from the Pennsylvania Department...
Governor Mifflin, City of Reading, Fleetwood Awarded $1.35 Million from State
Reading, PA – November 19, 2021 – Berks County State Legislators announced three Greater Reading Area projects received a total of $1,352,687 in grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community of Economic Development’s (DCED) Commonwealth...