Press Releases
Democratic State Legislators Host Virtual Hearing on Maternal Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg – August 12, 2020 – At the request of state Senator Judy Schwank (D- Berks) and state Representatives Morgan Cephas (D- Philadelphia) and Mary Jo Daley (D- Montgomery), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a joint virtual public hearing with...
Schwank Lauds Industrial Sites Reuse Program Announcement
Reading, July 31, 2020 State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) applauds $878,612 for the former Buttonwood Gateway site in Reading granted to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Reading through the Industrial Sites Reuse Program (ISRP). The ISRP provides...
Upgrades for Fleetwood Water Distribution System Approved by PENNVEST
Harrisburg, July 22, 2020 Upgrades to Fleetwood Borough’s Water Distribution System will be completed thanks to $3.5 million in funding from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said today. “This state...
Sen. Schwank and Rep. Gillen Announce $600,000 State Investment in Berks
HARRISBURG, July 16, 2020 – A Wyomissing Borough development/transportation enhancement project will again receive a much-needed boost thanks to $633,264 in Multimodal Transportation Fund grant funding approved today by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. Multimodal...
Schwank Announces Fresh Food Financing Initiative Now Taking Applications
Reading, July 9, 2020 − The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI), a statewide public-private financing program that invests in new or expanding grocery stores and other healthy food retail outlets in the state, has received $10 million as part of the PA...
Schwank to Introduce Legislation to Repeal Fireworks Act
Harrisburg, June 29, 2020 State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th District) will soon introduce legislation to repeal the Fireworks Act of 2017. The legislation is inspired by municipalities and police and fire departments across the Commonwealth who are unable to...
Schwank District Office Reopening Monday, June 29
Reading, June 26, 2020 − Starting Monday, June 29, State Senator Judy Schwank’s district office at 210 George Street will reopen to the public. While following Senate COVID-19 policies and precautions, Schwank and staff will once again be available to help...
Occupational Reform Bill on Way to Governor’s Desk
Harrisburg, June 25, 2020 − The Pennsylvania Senate approved a bill introduced by Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) and Sen. John DiSanto (R-15th district) that enacts a series of reforms designed to remove several barriers to licensure for Pennsylvanians with...
State Senate Hearing Focuses on COVID-19’s Impact on the Food Supply Chain
Harrisburg – June 18, 2020 – At the request of state Senators Judy Schwank (D- Berks) and Maria Collett (D- Bucks/Montgomery), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual public hearing today on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Pennsylvania’s food...
PA Senate Democrats Announce $225 Million for Small Business Assistance Grants Statewide
HARRISBURG – June 8, 2020 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announced the direction of $225 million in federal CARES Act funding to aid small businesses across the commonwealth. This funding was authorized by the recently enacted COVID-19...
Joint Policy Hearing Focuses on Pandemic Funding for Childcare Centers
Harrisburg – May 27, 2020 – At the request of state Senators Judy Schwank (D – Berks) and Lindsey Williams (D – Allegheny), the Senate and House Democratic Policy Committees today held a virtual public hearing to discuss critical funding for childcare centers, pre-K,...
Schwank Proposal Exempting CARES Act Payments from Disqualifying Pennsylvanians from State Assistance Programs Approved by Senate Finance Committee
Harrisburg, May 11, 2020 Legislation proposed by state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) that would ensure Pennsylvanians who receive federal stimulus payments don’t lose state related benefits because of an increase in income received unanimous support from...
Schwank Announces PA Office of Consumer Advocate to Intercede on Behalf of PAWC Ratepayers
READING, May 7, 2020 – At the request of State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district), the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate will intercede on behalf of ratepayers in a case involving the Pennsylvania American Water Company’s request to increase its overall water...
Schwank to Talk Coronavirus with Medical and Unemployment Professionals at Telephone Town Hall
READING, May 1, 2020 – State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) will be hosting a live telephone town hall on issues associated with the coronavirus COVID-19 on Wednesday, May 6, at 6:05 p.m. Joining her are: Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry...
Senate and House Democrats Discuss Legislative Action to Fight COVID-19 in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg – April 23, 2020 – State Senators Judy Schwank (D – Berks) and Lindsey Williams (D – Allegheny) joined State Representatives Joanna McClinton (D- Philadelphia) and Sara Innamorato (D – Allegheny) for a telephone town hall hosted by the State Innovation...
Schwank, Caltagirone, Rozzi: Reading School District and Berks IU Receive Funds
READING, April 22, 2020 – Reading School District and the Berks County Intermediate Unit have been selected for Continuing of Education Equity Grants (CEEG) for the 2019-2020 academic year, State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th District),...
Upgrades for Perkiomen Avenue Water Main Approved by PENNVEST
READING, April 22, 2020 – A low-interest loan in the amount of $1.7 million approved today by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) will help fund the Mount Penn Borough Municipal Authority’s recently completed Perkiomen Avenue Water Main...
Schwank to Talk Coronavirus with Medical Professionals at Telephone Town Hall Meeting
READING, April 9, 2020 – State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) will be hosting a live telephone town hall on issues associated with the coronavirus COVID-19 on Monday, April 13, at 6 p.m. Joining her are medical professionals including: Psychologist Dr....
PA Senate Democrats Urge Action on Legislation for Working Families, Pledge to Oppose Partisan COVID Task Force
Harrisburg, PA − April 8, 2020 − The Senate adjourned Tuesday afternoon after the House Republicans indicated they would not be taking up Senate Bill 841, legislation that would have enabled local municipalities to hold their meetings remotely, permitted e-notary use;...
Senators Schwank, Williams to Introduce Childcare Assistance Legislation
HARRISBURG, March 28, 2020 – State Senator Judy Schwank (D-11th District) and State Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-38th District) will soon introduce legislation to support childcare centers, pre-K, and Head Start programs, as well as their hard-working employees...
Schwank Office Open for Calls, E-mail Only Effective Tuesday, March 17
Reading, March 16, 2020 − In order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, beginning Tuesday, March 17, State Sen. Judy Schwank’s district office at 210 George Street will be closed to the public and will instead serve constituents by e-mail, phone and fax. “This measure...
Schwank Announces Two Non-Profit Security Grants Awarded in Berks
Reading, March 11, 2020 − A Mohnton church and Wyomissing Synagogue each received a Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) Non-Profit Security Grant to improve the safety and security of their facility, State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11) announced. The...
Schwank Invites Constituents for Coffee at Clair’s Family Restaurant
Reading, March 3, 2020 − Sen. Judy Schwank is inviting constituents to meet her for coffee, pastries and conversation at Clair’s Family Restaurant on Tuesday, March 10, at 9 a.m. Instead of a typical Town Hall, Sen. Schwank has decided to hold an open forum for...
Schwank Invites Constituents for Coffee at the Shillington Farmers Market
Reading, February 6, 2020 − Sen. Judy Schwank is inviting constituents to meet her for coffee, doughnuts and conversation at the Shillington Farmers Market on Thursday, February 13, at 9 a.m. Instead of a typical Town Hall, Sen. Schwank has decided to hold an open...
New Grant Program for Non-Profit Security Accepting Applications
Reading − January 15, 2020 − The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) today opened the application window for a new Non-Profit Security Grant program, which stemmed from language sponsored by State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11) to address security needs...
Legislators Announce Reading Muhlenberg CTC Awarded $50,000
READING, December 19, 2019 –The Pennsylvania Department of Education awarded $50,000 to Reading Muhlenberg CTC to purchase new equipment aligned to training students in high-demand occupations, State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks), State Rep. Mark Rozzi...
Schwank Hosting Free Information Session on Holiday Scams
Reading, December 10, 2019 State Sen. Judy Schwank is teaming with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General to bring a free information session on holiday scams to The Heritage of Green Hills at 200 Tranquility Lane in Cumru Township at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday,...
Schwank and Rozzi Hosting Free ACA Event Nov. 22, Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner to Speak
Reading, November 19, 2019 – State Sen. Judy Schwank and State Rep. Mark Rozzi are hosting a free Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Muhlenberg Township Building at 210 George Street on Friday, Nov. 22. Pennsylvania’s Insurance...
Sen. Schwank and Rep. Gillen Announce $2 Million State Investment in Berks
HARRISBURG, November 12, 2019 – A Wyomissing Borough development/transportation enhancement project will receive a much-needed boost thanks to $2 million in Multimodal Transportation Fund grant funding approved today by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. Multimodal...
Schwank Applauds Senate Vote to Expand Absentee Voting Rights
Harrisburg, October 30, 2019 – All Pennsylvania voters would be able to vote by mail under legislation approved Monday by the Pennsylvania Senate. The bill includes language proposed by Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district), who has been a leading advocate for...
Schwank Applauds Wyomissing for Securing Traffic Signal Improvements Funds
Reading, October 4, 2019 State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) was encouraged by Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement that 24 municipalities will receive more than $5 million to support traffic signal upgrades. Funding comes through the Pennsylvania Department of...
Schwank Dairy Industry Study Released by State’s Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
Harrisburg, September 25, 2019 − The Pennsylvania General Assembly’s Legislative Budget and Finance Committee today released a study of the Commonwealth’s dairy industry which was prompted by legislation sponsored by Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th District). The...
Legislators Announce Two Projects Approved for State Grants
Reading, September 17, 2019 The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved $252,821 in grant funding through the Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program to support recreation improvement efforts, according to Sen. Judy Schwank and Reps. Thomas Caltagirone and...