State lawmakers call for end to family deportations from Berks ICE facility

(Dec 02, 2020)

Legislators ask for release of families, children in face of COVID pandemic, unsanitary conditions Read more

 

Let’s be patient; Make sure every vote counts

(Nov 05, 2020)

As of this writing, there are approximately 750,000 Pennsylvania votes that need to be counted. That is more than 750,000 Pennsylvanians who lawfully casted their vote and deserve to be heard. Counting every citizen’s legal, timely vote is imperative. As workers securely make progress on tallying the results, we must be patient. This process may take several days, but the integrity and sanctity of the vote in our state must be maintained. Last Fall, in a bipartisan showing, the Pennsylvania General Assembly agreed to allow for mail-in ballots. Since then, House Democrats have made many efforts to help clarify any confusion about the process and give local election boards the tools needed to securely and expeditiously process votes cast by mail. Unfortunately, our Republican colleagues chose political gamesmanship over a genuine effort to ensure a smooth election. Their inaction failed to allow for the early processing of ballots received – as 32 other states permit-- and, in turn, why there is a delay in knowing the outcome of this election. The ambiguity in the law did not address their local official’s concerns; nor does it protect every Pennsylvanian’s constitutional right to vote and our obligation to make sure those votes are counted. Now, more than ever, we must ensure that we uphold the freedoms guaranteed in our state and nation’s constitution. In these unprecedented times, the voters must have the final say, not the candidates or Read more

 

Schweyer: Students are able to apply for financial aid now

(Oct 30, 2020)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 30 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, is reminding college-bound students and their parents or guardians that now is the time to start the application process for financial assistance. “Applying for student loans can be confusing and complicated for families,” Schweyer said. “My office is available to assist with navigating the various options and programs and complete the application process. That will make it easier to meet the deadlines set by colleges and universities.” According to Schweyer, PHEAA Student Aid guidebooks, which provide a complete overview of the financial aid process, are available in his district office located at 1501 Lehigh St., Suite 206. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person visits to the office are by appointment only by calling 610-791-6270. When arriving for your appointment please make sure you are properly wearing a mask. The guidebooks also include information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for state and federal aid programs such as the Pennsylvania State Grant and work-study employment, Pell grants, Perkins loans and Stafford loans. Many colleges also use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for school-based aid such as private grants and need-based scholarships. Schweyer noted there are other resources available to students as they prepare for college. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency has a Read more

 

Schweyer holds House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on utility shut-offs

(Oct 26, 2020)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 26 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, today hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on utility shut-offs. Schweyer requested the hearing to discuss what the legislature can do to protect consumers faced with their utilities being shut off, especially during a pandemic. Schweyer was joined by state legislators from across the state and several utility industry leaders. “The COVID-19 pandemic has created new and unprecedented challenges for many families across the commonwealth,” Schweyer said. “With winter coming and temperatures starting to drop, people should not have to worry about having their heat, electric or water shut-off on top of keeping their families healthy and figuring out how to put food on their tables.” Testifiers during the hearing included Tanya McCloskey, acting Pennsylvania consumer advocate; Elizabeth Marx, executive director, Pennsylvania Utility Law Project; Gladys Brown Dutrieulle, chairman, Pennsylvania Utility Commission; and Terry Fitzpatrick, president and CEO, Energy Association of Pennsylvania. Hearing testimony and video will be available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=488K86I9kno . Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold Capitol hearing Monday on utility shutoffs

(Oct 22, 2020)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on utility shutoffs. The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building. The media and public are invited to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Requested by Rep. Pete Schweyer, D-Lehigh, the hearing will discuss what more the legislature can do to protect consumers faced with their utilities being shut off, especially during a pandemic. Testifiers will speak remotely, while members will participate in person and remotely. Testifiers will include: Tanya McCloskey , acting Pennsylvania consumer advocate. Elizabeth Marx , executive director, Pennsylvania Utility Law Project. Gladys Brown Dutrieuille , chairman, Pennsylvania Utility Commission. Terry Fitzpatrick , president and CEO, Energy Association of Pennsylvania. Following the hearing, testimonies and full hearing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more

 

Schweyer to hold flu shot/COVID-19 testing clinics Oct. 13-14 in Allentown

(Oct 07, 2020)

ALLENTOWN, Oct. 7 – Amid the health concerns of the flu and the COVID-19 pandemic, State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, is encouraging residents of the 22 nd Legislative District to attend one of his flu shot and COVID-19 testing and education clinics in Allentown. The clinics will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday October 13 and Wednesday, October 14 at Bucky Boyle Park. 10 Pump Place, Allentown. "With the flu season upon us, it is absolutely critical we protect ourselves from influenza as we continue fighting COVID-19," Schweyer said. "These clinics will provide a one-stop shop to get a flu shot, get tested for COVID-19 and learn the symptoms to watch out for and how to prevent the spread of the virus." Schweyer said his office is partnering with Saint Luke's Hospital and Health Network, the Allentown Health Bureau and other local community organizations for the clinics. Additionally, attendees will be able to learn about how his office can provide assistance on various state-related issues. Schweyer is also reminding residents about the free COVID Alert PA app which can send notifications to their smart phones if they are potentially exposed to COVID-19 when they travel through Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey or Delaware. The app can be found in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store by searching for “COVID Alert PA.” Read more

 

Schweyer Promotes New State-Based Health Insurance Exchange

(Sep 01, 2020)

Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer encourages all Pennsylvanians who may have lost their jobs and health insurance due to COVID-19 to visit pennie.com, the new state-based health insurance exchange for affordable coverage options. Read more

 

Schweyer Hosts Discussion on Criminal Justice Reform

(Aug 28, 2020)

Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer participated in a discussion in Allentown to hear from residents and law enforcement about their experiences and discuss what can be done to advance additional criminal justice reform in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Schweyer, Schlossberg to hold criminal justice roundtable Aug. 28

(Aug 27, 2020)

HARRISBURG, Aug. 28 – As part of their ongoing efforts to reform Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system, state Reps. Peter Schweyer and Mike Schlossberg, both D-Lehigh, will hold a criminal justice roundtable this Friday in Allentown. The roundtable will be from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Life Church at St. Paul’s, 38 South 8 th St., Allentown. Schweyer and Schlossberg will be joined by House Minority Whip Jordan Harris, D-Phila, and members of the community to hear their issues and concerns to be addressed in reforming the criminal justice system and improving police relations with citizens. Schweyer added the roundtable will be streamed live on his Facebook page. Read more

 

Summer 2020 Newsletter

(Aug 26, 2020)

Important updates and information on COVID-19 mitigation, safety, and in our community. Read more

 

Schweyer Discusses the Importance of Police Reform

(Jul 28, 2020)

Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer hosted a joint hearing of the House Democratic Policy Committee and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus to discuss the importance of police reforms, particularly in smaller cities such as Allentown. Read more

 

Schweyer holds joint PA Legislative Black Caucus/House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on police reform

(Jul 28, 2020)

HARRISBURG, July 28 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, today hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on police reform. Schweyer requested the hearing to discuss police reforms that can apply to smaller cities like Allentown in addition to those being considered for larger metropolitan regions. Schweyer was joined by state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila, and chairman of the PA Legislative Black Caucus, state legislators from across the state and several local community leaders. “George Floyd’s murder has understandably made folks from all walks of life question police policies. Folks want safe communities, accountability and transparency from police departments in big cities and small towns alike,” Schweyer said. “As we continue to build on the success of the recent police reform laws, it is important that we hear from our community leaders to ensure both an end to police brutality and to strengthen the relationship between departments and the communities they protect and serve.” Kinsey added: “We need to take action on police reform to keep our communities, and our peaceful protestors, safe while weeding out dangerous officers. We must continue to advocate, support and stress nonviolent tactics in the struggle for justice across the commonwealth. After each loss, we speak out. We march. We raise our collective voices against the oppression that is still forced upon Read more

 

House Democratic Policy Committee/PA Legislative Black Caucus to hold second hearing on Police Reform Tuesday in Capitol

(Jul 24, 2020)

HARRISBURG, July 24 –State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, and state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila, announced today that the House Democratic Policy Committee and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus will hold a second hearing on police reform. Requested by state Rep. Pete Schweyer, D-Lehigh, HDPC Chair Sturla and PLBC Chair Kinsey said this hearing will focus on the Allentown region. The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 28 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg. The media and public are urged to watch the livestream at www.pahouse.com/live . Testifiers will participate remotely while members participate in-person and remotely. Testifiers will include: Chief Glenn Grantiz, Jr., Allentown Police Department Justan Parker, founder, Black Lives Matter to the Lehigh Valley Maegen Lierena, executive director, Make The Road Pennsylvania Nasheera Brown, student, Louise E. Dieruff High School Adrian Shanker, founder and executve director, Bradbury-Sullivan LBGT Community Center Following the hearing, testimonies and full hearing video will be posted at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more

 

Schweyer announces district office is reopen for appointments only

(Jul 07, 2020)

HARRISBURG, July 7 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, today announced his district office in Allentown has reopened for appointments only. “My staff and I have been assisting hundreds of constituents during the coronavirus pandemic by phone and email,” Schweyer said. “With Lehigh County now in the Green Phase it will be nice to begin providing safe in-person services once again.” Schweyer added all constituents who need assistance must first contact the district office by phone at 610-791-6270 or email at RepSchweyer@pahouse.net to set up an appointment. The office will be following CDC guidelines and all persons who enter the office must be properly wearing a mask. Schweyer said constituents who are not feeling well or have been recently exposed to someone with COVID-19 should not come to the office. Read more

 

Renter and homeowner aid available

(Jun 30, 2020)

Renters and homeowners who were financially impacted by the economic slowdown related to the coronavirus pandemic will be able to access applications for rent and mortgage relief beginning Monday, June 29. At that time, applications will be accessible from a red banner on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s website at www.PHFA.org . Homeowners who became unemployed after March 1 or who suffered at least a 30 percent reduction in annual income due to reduced work hours and wages related to COVID-19 may be eligible for financial assistance to help with missed mortgage payments. To qualify for the Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program, the applicant must be an owner-occupant of their residence, the dwelling must consist of one or two separate units, the mortgage must be at least 30 days delinquent, and the applicant-homeowner’s annual household income must not exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence adjusted for the number of people in their home. For renters to be eligible for financial assistance under the CARES Rent Relief Program, they will need to document at least a 30 percent reduction in annual income since March 1 related to COVID-19, or they must have become unemployed after March 1. If unemployed, they must have filed for Unemployment Compensation. Their household income cannot exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence adjusted for the number of people in their home. For more information Read more

 

Small Business Assistance grants available

(Jun 25, 2020)

Applications are expected to be available June 30 for a new program aimed at providing critical funding to local businesses hurt by the coronavirus. Read more

 

Schweyer alerting local veterans of delays at local American Legion and VA offices due to COVID-19

(Jun 23, 2020)

HARRISBURG, June 23 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, is alerting local veterans to expect delays in responses from local American Legion and regional Veterans Affairs offices due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Legion Philadelphia Service Office remains closed indefinitely. Veterans and their families can expect significant delays on all replies during the pandemic. Once those offices resume in person visits, Schweyer said the monthly veterans outreach program will resume at his district office. The Department of Veterans Affairs has also closed its regional offices due to COVID-19. All hearings are postponed indefinitely, and all appointments are cancelled. The VA call center is open for anyone with critical questions at 1-800-827-1000. Schweyer added his staff is still available to help via phone and email. Please call 610-791-6270 or email RepSchweyer@pahouse.net . “We are preparing the office to reopen to the public, hopefully by next week,” Schweyer said. Read more

 

Schweyer: CARES Act applications for renters and homeowners will be available next week

(Jun 22, 2020)

HARRISBURG, June 22 – Homeowners and renters who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to access applications for federal CARES Act assistance next week, according to state Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “The COVID-19 pandemic is causing many Pennsylvania families to face extremely difficult financial burdens,” Schweyer said. “We need to make sure these hardworking people are able to get the financial assistance they need quickly to ensure they keep a roof over their heads.” According to Schweyer, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will have applications for CARES Act assistance available for renters and homeowners on Monday, June 29 . Those applications can be submitted on July 6. Renters who qualify may receive assistance equal to 100% of their monthly rent up to $750 a month for a maximum of six months of assistance for the time period between March 1 and Nov. 30. The assistance available for homeowners who qualify may be up to $1,000 a month for a maximum period of six months. Applications and qualification requirements can be found at the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency's website, https://www.phfa.org . Read more

 

Schweyer Opposes Terminating Disaster Declaration

(May 29, 2020)

Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer discusses why he voted against a House Republican resolution that would terminate the governor's emergency disaster declaration. Schweyer says that now is not the time to cease our mitigation efforts and risk further spread of the virus. Read more

 

Schweyer Votes No on Stopgap Budget

(May 27, 2020)

Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer voted no on the stopgap budget which recently passed the House, saying it failed to address a potential rise in local property taxes from the loss of revenue from coronavirus closures of casinos in Lehigh County. Read more

 

State lawmakers call for end to family deportations from Berks ICE facility
Dec 02, 2020

Let’s be patient; Make sure every vote counts
Nov 05, 2020

Schweyer: Students are able to apply for financial aid now
Oct 30, 2020

Schweyer holds House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on utility shut-offs
Oct 26, 2020

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold Capitol hearing Monday on utility shutoffs
Oct 22, 2020

Schweyer to hold flu shot/COVID-19 testing clinics Oct. 13-14 in Allentown
Oct 07, 2020

Schweyer Promotes New State-Based Health Insurance Exchange
Sep 01, 2020

Schweyer Hosts Discussion on Criminal Justice Reform
Aug 28, 2020

Schweyer, Schlossberg to hold criminal justice roundtable Aug. 28
Aug 27, 2020

Summer 2020 Newsletter
Aug 26, 2020

Schweyer Discusses the Importance of Police Reform
Jul 28, 2020

Schweyer holds joint PA Legislative Black Caucus/House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on police reform
Jul 28, 2020

House Democratic Policy Committee/PA Legislative Black Caucus to hold second hearing on Police Reform Tuesday in Capitol
Jul 24, 2020

Schweyer announces district office is reopen for appointments only
Jul 07, 2020

Renter and homeowner aid available
Jun 30, 2020

Small Business Assistance grants available
Jun 25, 2020

Schweyer alerting local veterans of delays at local American Legion and VA offices due to COVID-19
Jun 23, 2020

Schweyer: CARES Act applications for renters and homeowners will be available next week
Jun 22, 2020

Schweyer Opposes Terminating Disaster Declaration
May 29, 2020

Schweyer Votes No on Stopgap Budget
May 27, 2020