Press Releases
Sens. Vogel, Schwank Send Letter to Milk Marketing Board Voicing Opposition to House Bill 224
Harrisburg — October 25, 2022 — Today, state Sens. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) and Judy Schwank (D-Berks), the chairs of the Pennsylvania Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, sent a letter to the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board (PMMB) expressing their...
Schwank to Host Telephone Town Hall on Voting in the Upcoming Election
Reading — October 21, 2022 — On Thursday, October 27, 2022, state Sen. Judy Schwank will host a telephone town hall on voting and the upcoming general election. The event will begin at 7 P.M. and will offer individuals to ask questions about drop boxes, mail-in...
Non-Profit Security Grant Now Open, $5 Million Available for Enhanced Security Measures
Reading — September 30, 2022 — The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will begin accepting applications for a new round of the Non-Profit Security Grant Fund Program today with a pool of $5 million available. The application period will run from...
Women’s Health Caucus Highlights Summer Recess Activities, Plans to Continue Advocating for Abortion Rights in Fall Session
Harrisburg — September 22, 2022 — Building on great progress made for maternal health over the last year, the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus continues the fight to improve health outcomes for women and families and continues to work to protect reproductive...
Women’s Health Caucus Holds Press Event on Postpartum Medicaid Expansion, Protecting Access to Abortion
Harrisburg—September 21, 2022 — This morning, members of the Women’s Health Caucus, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, and an advocate from Planned Parenthood held a press event to talk about postpartum Medicaid expansion and the need to protect...
Schwank, Rozzi Announce $222,321 in Act 13 Grant Funding
Reading — September 20, 2022 — Today Sen. Judy Schwank and Rep. Mark Rozzi announced a total of $222,321 in Act 13 grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Lower Alsace Township received $200,000 in Flood...
Schwank Announces $642,426 in PCCD Grant Funding for Berks County
Reading − September 15, 2022 − Yesterday the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency approved grant funding for three Berks County projects. Kutztown University received $133,300 in Federal State Opioid Response Funds in support of the SBIRT Enhancement...
Roundtable Focuses on Deceptive Practices of So-Called “Crisis Pregnancy Centers”
HARRISBURG, September 7, 2022 – State Senator Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, joined state Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and state Reps. Bridget Kosierowski (D-Lackawanna) and Melissa Shusterman...
State Sen. Judy Schwank Issues Statement in Support of Statewide Nursing Home Worker Strike
Reading — September 2, 2022 — Today, state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) joined striking nursing home workers of the Fairlane Gardens Nursing and Rehabilitation at Reading in support of their demands for fair pay and staffing. She issued the following statement on...
Schwank Applauds $2 Million in Grant Funding for Sustainable Agriculture Research
Reading — July 31, 2022 — Today, Sen. Judy Schwank, minority chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, applauded the Wolf Administration for awarding six organizations with over $2 million in grant funding for sustainable agriculture research. Two...
Women’s Health Caucus Holds Third Post-Roe PA Policy Hearing in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh — August 11, 2022 — This morning, the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus, in conjunction with the House and Senate Democratic Policy Committees, held its third hearing on post-Roe Pennsylvania at Chatham University. The hearing featured testimony from...
Schwank, BCPS Announce $100,000 in State Funding for Pardon Project
Reading — August 10, 2022 — Today, Sen. Judy Schwank and Berks Connections/Pretrial Services (BCPS) announced that BCPS received $100,000 in grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to support the Pardon Project of Berks County. Pardon Projects pair...
Schwank Calls on County Commissioners to Convene Panel to Improve Elections
Reading — August 8, 2022 — Today, Sen. Judy Schwank sent a letter to the Berks County Commissioners requesting they convene a panel to remedy the election issues outlined in a report made public last Thursday in preparation for the 2022 general election. The letter is...
Schwank Issues Co-Sponsor Memo to Require Human Trafficking Awareness Training for Lodging and Truck Stop Employees
Harrisburg — July 27, 2022 — This week, state Sen. Judy Schwank issued a co-sponsorship memorandum on her plan to require employers in the lodging and truck stop industry to provide Human Trafficking Awareness training to employees. Human trafficking is a...
Women’s Health Caucus Hosts Second Policy Hearing on Post-Roe Pennsylvania
Philadelphia — July 26, 2022 — Today, the Women’s Health Caucus conducted its second joint hearing with the House and Senate Democratic Policy Committees on Pennsylvania abortion access post-Roe. The hearing was held at the William Way Community Center and...
Schwank Helps Secure $2.8 Million CFA Grant for Berks County Industrial Development Authority
Reading − July 19, 2022 − This morning, the Commonwealth Financing Authority voted to approve over $2.8 million in grant funding to the Berks County Industrial Development. In addition to the $2.8 million, BCIA will also receive a $4.2 million loan from the...
Schwank Backs State Investment in Apprenticeship Program
Reading — July 14, 2022 — Today, Sen. Judy Schwank commended the Wolf Administration for investing $264,980 in a union apprenticeship program that will serve 18 counties, including Berks. The funding was awarded to the Insulators Local 23 Joint Apprenticeship...
Women’s Health Caucus Applauds Gov. Wolf’s Executive Order Protecting Abortion Providers from Out-of-State Prosecution
Harrisburg — July 12, 2022 — Today, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that he signed an executive order that will protect Pennsylvania abortion providers facing prosecution in another state for providing individuals with reproductive health care services. The...
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...