As schools remain closed, state Reps. Morgan Cephas and Peter Schweyer are introducing legislation to help connect all students with the critical resources they need to continue their education during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Advanced technology has made it possible for young people to learn outside of the classroom. However, not all families are able to afford these services and devices," said Cephas, D-Phila. "Access to quality education should not be based on your ZIP code, especially during times of crisis. This is just another way I am working ensure children in our communities have access to the same tools as everyone else." The bill would allocate grant money to school districts to provide or expand access to technology and technological equipment, like laptops or tablets, for students who do not have the means to purchase them or are unable to access the Internet from home. “As a parent of two children in the Allentown School District, I know that so many of our talented kids only have access to technology at school," said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. "When the need arrives when schools need to be closed, we must make sure students have the tools they need to continue their studies, regardless of their economic circumstances. This legislation will help close the digital divide for those less fortunate Read more
The PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has established a new resource account where businesses and staff can submit questions on exemptions regarding the closure of physical locations for non-life-sustaining businesses in the Commonwealth. Businesses seeking exemptions from closure: Please contact ra-dcexemptions@pa.gov . Other questions about closures can be directed to ra-dcedcs@pa.gov . For more COVID-19 business information, DCED has set up a web site that continually will be updated as information becomes available: https://dced.pa.gov/resources . Read more
ALLENTOWN, March 12 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, is alerting residents that his district office will close to the public and operations will be by telephone, mail and email only starting Friday, March 13 to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. "We are continuing to monitor COVID-19 with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the PA Department of Health and the Allentown Health Bureau," Schweyer said. "Out of an abundance of caution and safety for residents of the district and my staff, this is a necessary course of action to prevent the spreading of the coronavirus." Schweyer adds if residents have state paperwork to drop off, a box will be located outside the office. Residents are also advised to take precautions to protect themselves from COVID-19, such as the following: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (time to sing Happy Birthday song twice). Cover coughs or sneezes with your elbow or use a tissue. Do not use your hands . Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available. Clean surfaces frequently, including countertops, light switches, cell phones, remotes, door handles, stair rails and other frequently touched items. Avoid touching your hands to your face, eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Clean and disinfect surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or Read more
Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer visited the Lehigh County Humane Society to promote several pieces of animal welfare legislation including his bill which would provide increased funds to hire more humane officers across the state. Read more
ALLENTOWN, March 11 – Today, state Reps. Mike Schlossberg, Peter Schweyer and Jeanne McNeill joined leaders from the Lehigh County Humane Society and The Humane Society of the United States in a call to advance legislation to better protect animals from abuse in Pennsylvania. Read more
ALLENTOWN, March 10 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, is reminding residents there is only one month left to apply for the state’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. “Many families and seniors are living on fixed incomes which are stretched thin,” Schweyer said. “LIHEAP grants can make a big difference for families to ensure they can stay warm in the cold fall and winter months.” LIHEAP assists lower-income families in paying their heating bills in the form of a cash grant. Households in immediate danger of being without heat are eligible for crisis grants. It is available for both renters and homeowners. The application period for LIHEAP cash and crisis benefits ends April 10. Schweyer adds anyone interested in applying can obtain paper applications at his district office – 1501 Lehigh St., Suite 206 in Allentown -- or through local county assistance offices. Applications can also be downloaded from the Department of Human Services website. In addition to helping families sign up for LIHEAP, Schweyer and his staff are available to assist visitors with any state government-related services or answer any questions. For more information on LIHEAP, residents may call 610-791-6270. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer visits the Syrian Arab American Charity Association in Allentown to highlight building repairs made possible through grant money he helped secure from the state. Read more
ALLENTOWN, March 5 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, today announced the Lehigh County Historical Society was awarded $7,451 from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. “This grant will allow the Heritage Museum to continue providing educational programming and exhibits that allow current generations to learn about our rich history here in Lehigh County,” Schweyer said. Cultural and Historical Support Program grants provide general operating support to Pennsylvania museums and official county historical societies that are not directly supported by other state agency operating support programs. An eligible museum must have an annual operating budget exceeding $100,000 and at least one full-time professional staff person. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is the official history agency of the commonwealth. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer discusses the status of minority and disadvantaged student enrollment at our PASSHE schools during a state budget hearing in Harrisburg. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 3 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, introduced legislation Monday that would provide financial support to ease the stress on Pennsylvania humane societies. “While great progress has been made with Libre’s Law, which increases the penalties for those who abuse animals, the justice and rehabilitation for these animals takes an immense amount of time and resources,” Schweyer said. “This bill will help alleviate the heavy financial burden placed on humane societies and their officers.” Under H.B. 2283 , an Animal Cruelty Investigation Fund would be established with the state treasury. Individuals convicted of animal cruelty would be assessed an additional $5 which would go toward training, equipment and expenses for humane society police officers. Schweyer said the funds would also go toward the medical care and food and shelter costs for animals rescued from abuse. “Many of our humane societies are mainly funded by donations and every cruelty case further depletes already thin-stretched budgets,” Schweyer said. “As legislators, we have a duty to protect all living things, especially those which cannot defend themselves. We need to recognize this difficulty and offer support.” The bill is awaiting referral to committee. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 3 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, issued the following statement regarding the arrest of Franklin Urrutia-Cordon. Read more
At a state budget hearing with the Department of Education, Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer discusses the need to invest in Allentown's aging school buildings and also address charter school reform. Read more
During a state budget hearing with the Department of Education, Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer asks how proposed charter school reforms will impact school districts like Allentown with a high concentration of charter schools. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 26 – Allentown School District will undertake additional school safety improvements thanks in part to a $45,000 state grant that was approved today, announced state Reps. Mike Schlossberg and Peter Schweyer. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer shares his opinions after listening to officials testify on transportation, general services and liquor control during budget hearings in Harrisburg. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer questions acting Department of Transportation Secretary Yassmin Gramian about a change in transportation improvement funding that’s impacting the Lehigh Valley. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer questions Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine during state budget hearings about the funding levels for local health bureaus. Read more
Allentown, Feb. 25 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, will be partnering with Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s Bureau of Consumer Protection division for a fraud, identity theft and scams event next week at his district office. The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 3 at 1501 Lehigh St., Suite 206, Allentown. The public is invited to attend. “Each year, millions of Americans fall victim to identity theft and scams and it’s important that everyone knows how to identify a scam and prevent thieves from acquiring your money or personal information,” Schweyer said. Schweyer encourages everyone to attend and learn how to protect themselves from the various phone, mail and digital scams, how to protect themselves online, and even gather financing tips to avoid being taken advantage of on big purchases, like used cars. Read more
As featured in the Bloomberg Daily Environment Report on 7-26-17 Read more
During a Pa. House Appropriations Budget Hearing, state Rep. Peter Schweyer discusses the importance of funding the PICS background check system to keep firearms out of the hands of those who shouldn't have them. Read more
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