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Ciresi introduces legislation to prevent gift card scams

Rep. Joseph Ciresi

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Ciresi announces $1.3M in state grants for Pottstown-area sewer infrastructure

(Dec 19, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Dec. 19 – A believer that a strong infrastructure is the key to building strong communities, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, helped secure $1,338,380 in state funding for infrastructure projects in Pottstown and Lower Pottsgrove. “These important investments to the sewer infrastructure in the Pottstown area will upgrade and modernize essential services, improving reliability while keeping our environment clean,” Ciresi said. “I’m also proud to support our continued progress in making comprehensive repairs to Pottstown’s stormwater arches, ensuring a solid foundation for the town’s ongoing revitalization.” Funds distributed through the H20 PA Program provide for single-year or multi-year grants to municipalities or municipal authorities to assist with the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm water projects. Act 54 of 2022 appropriated $205.4 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to the H2O PA – Water Supply, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Water Projects Program. They include: $744,073 for the Borough of Pottstown for a stormwater arch rehabilitation project. $212,472 for the Pottstown Borough Authority to purchase and install a diesel generator at the Lower Pump House Pump Station. Funding for stormwater arch system repairs would help the Borough of Pottstown in rebuilding collapsed arches and performing high priority repairs, as well as doing high priority preventive Read more

 

Ciresi announces $147,500 in state tax credits for Pottstown revitalization

(Nov 22, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Nov. 22 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced today that the state had approved $147,500 in Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits to assist Genesis Housing Corp. in its investment in revitalizing blighted properties in Pottstown. “These state tax credits will help continue the important work of Genesis Housing Corp. in fighting blight and maintaining affordable housing in Pottstown,” Ciresi said. “This work will keep at-risk homeowners in safe and decent housing while revitalizing the communities around them. At a time when affordable housing is increasingly hard to find, this investment is important and will make meaningful impacts in people’s lives. I thank DCED, Genesis Housing Corp., and their business partners for making this investment in Pottstown.” The investment will assist Genesis Housing Corporation’s rehabilitation projects in Pottstown: $80,000 will be used to address neighborhood revitalization through mostly smaller scale improvement projects, housing rehab and facade grants. This money will support exterior renovations, housing counseling services, improved community access to gardens, and support for community improvement programs. $67,500 will be used to continue the Pottstown Homeowner Property Rehab Program to provide rehab grants for at-risk populations. This program will provide eligible low-income homeowners with grants and technical assistance for critical home repairs, Read more

 

House passes Ciresi bill to expand EV charging infrastructure

(Oct 30, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 30 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s, D-Montgomery, legislation that would help create more EV charging stations throughout Pennsylvania at no cost to the Pennsylvania taxpayer passed the House today. House Bill 1474 would add electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects as an eligible project type under Pennsylvania’s Property-Assessed Clean Energy program (C-PACE). C-PACE, which was created by Act 30 of 2018 , has facilitated over $250 million in investments in energy efficiency, clean energy, conservation, and other projects by connecting property owners with long-term financing. The investments are funded entirely through private capital, so it would not impose any financial burden on the commonwealth or local governments, according to Ciresi. “My House Bill 1474 would help develop Pennsylvania’s EV charging infrastructure at no cost to the taxpayer at a time when electric vehicles are becoming more prevalent on our roads and highways,” Ciresi said. “This legislation would unlock financing to install charging stations throughout the commonwealth—from places of employment, restaurants, apartments, hotels, shopping centers to tourist attractions. More charging stations makes it easier for everyone to operate these energy-efficient, environmentally friendly vehicles in Pennsylvania, whether you’re a resident running errands or business traveler or tourist visiting our state.” The bill has Read more

 

Ciresi presents $20K check to Lower Pottsgrove to improve emergency responses

(Oct 23, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

“This traffic preemption system will allow emergency vehicles to have right-of-way traveling through the intersection, helping to reduce emergency response times and increase traffic safety,” Ciresi said. “This is a smart use of government funding to increase the quality of life for the Lower Pottsgrove Township community.” Read more

 

Ciresi bill to outlaw early termination fees for deceased people passes House

(Oct 17, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s bill that would protect a deceased person’s family or estate from being charged early termination fees for canceling certain service contracts and vehicle leases passed the PA House today unanimously. “It’s hard enough to lose a family member, but it is just salt in the wound for a grieving relative to have to pay an early termination fee because the customer has died,” Ciresi said. “ Death shouldn’t come with fees, and companies shouldn’t be making money off a customer’s death. My legislation would prohibit cable, phone, telecommunication, utility and other companies from imposing early termination fees on a recently deceased person’s family for services that would no longer be used.” The bill would require that written notice along with a death certificate be provided to end such leases or contracts without financial penalty. Ciresi has championed the legislation in previous sessions. This session, the bill had 24 co-sponsors, including both Democrats and Republicans. The bill is on its way to be considered by the Senate. Read more

 

Hard to Read License Plate Replacement Event

(Oct 11, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Hard to Read License Plate Replacement Event Read more

 

Paper Shredding Event

(Oct 11, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Co-Hosted with Lower Pottsgrove Township Sunday, October 22 11am – 2pm (or until the truck is full) Pottsgrove Senior High School 1345 Kauffman Rd, Pottstown Please keep to a limit of five boxes of paper per household. Read more

 

Veterans Discount ID Card & FraudSleuth Sign-Up Event

(Oct 11, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Co-Hosted with Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Jeanne Sorg Thursday, October 12 10am – 12pm (noon) Rep. Ciresi Royersford District Office Park Towne Plaza Shopping Center 301 N Lewis Rd, Ste 140C, Royersford For Veterans: Bring your DD-214 discharge paperwork to be recorded with the County and receive a Veterans Discount ID Card, accepted at over 500 county businesses. For Homeowners: Sign up for FraudSleuth, a free County-run property fraud protection service, which will alert you if someone attempts to record a document matching your property with Montgomery County. Read more

 

Ciresi announces nearly $385K in state funding for park improvements

(Oct 05, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 5 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced today that Royersford Borough has been awarded $184,800 and West Pottsgrove Township, $200,000 in state funding by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “These well-deserved awards will improve Royersford’s Victory Park and West Pottsgrove Township’s Old Timer’s Park to enhance the experience for all of their visitors and make sure they can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of ability,” Ciresi said. “Continued state support for our local parks will have visible impacts in our communities, including an improved baseball field for West Pottsgrove and accessible pathways, tables and benches, and play surfaces throughout Royersford’s Victory Park.” The grant money will be used for the following projects: $184,800 for Royersford Borough to rehabilitate Victory Park. The funds will help renovate the outdoor stage, construct a pedestrian walkway, install play equipment with required safety surfacing and fencing, install ADA access, landscape, install project signage and make other related site improvements. $200,000 for West Pottsgrove Township to rehabilitate the Old Timer’s Field Park. The funds will be used to renovate the baseball field and parking area, construct stormwater management measures, install fencing and lighting and ADA access, landscaping, project signage and make other related site Read more

 

House passes Ciresi signage bill for land development

(Oct 03, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 3 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation (H.B. 123) to create signage requirements for proposed subdivision and land development projects passed the House today. “All too often, residents are left unaware of development happening near them because property developers can provide ‘notice’ with nothing more than an 8½-inch by 11-inch sheet of paper, which is often easy to miss,” Ciresi said. “My bill would require greater transparency by creating specific requirements for posted signage on property proposed for development, giving residents a better understanding of what is happening in their community before final decisions are made.” The legislation would amend the Municipalities Planning Code to ensure that posted signs are a minimum of nine square feet in surface area and can be read from a viewing distance of 50 feet, are conspicuously posted along external road frontage, and include a description of the proposed project and which local governmental entity is reviewing the development application. Developers would be required to keep the signage posted until after the application has been considered and acted on by the local government. The legislation was introduced as H.B. 2374 in the previous legislative session. Read more

 

Ciresi anti-littering bill passes PA House

(Oct 02, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 2 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation (H.B. 1044) today passed the PA House of Representatives. The legislation would update and simplify littering language that appears on vehicle registration cards and applications for driver’s licenses and learner’s permits. “Pennsylvania is a beautiful state, but all too often litter degrades our streets and countryside, threatens public health and negatively impacts community pride,” Ciresi, D-Montgomery, said. “With this bill, I wanted to turn the current, technical wording used on PennDOT documents into something that everyone could understand, make sure drivers clearly understand the penalties for littering, and update the penalty language to include community service. We are all stewards of our commonwealth, and I hope the updated and simplified language on vehicle registration and applications will make Pennsylvanians step up and take responsibility for its care.” Ciresi said littering is a major problem in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Litter Research Study -- conducted in 2018-2019 by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful -- found more than 500 million pieces of litter on roadways statewide. Ciresi pointed out that a significant portion of taxpayer money is being used to clean up litter, citing one 2019 study by Keep Pennsylvania Read more

 

Ciresi introduces legislation to improve access to state government through live phone services

(Sep 13, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Sept. 12 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, introduced H.B. 1671 today, which would improve state agency customer service by requiring the availability of live phone services on their public lines. “All too often, when our residents call state agencies’ customer service systems, they face constant frustrations, such as being constantly redirected,” Ciresi said. “It shouldn’t be so difficult and time consuming to speak to a live representative to get critical information. My bill would make sure Pennsylvanians are able to speak to a live person when they call the state government looking for help.” The legislation would prohibit commonwealth agencies from using computer or automated answering systems in a way that impede callers’ abilities to speak with an agency employee, ensure that they are allowed to speak with someone able to answer questions about, provide information on, and provide assistance with services and duties of the agency. “Our residents expect and deserve excellent customer service," Ciresi said. "We need to make sure residents are able to reach their government when they need it, and ensuring live phone lines will increase both customer satisfaction and agency performance.” Read more

 

Ciresi introduces downtown revitalization bill to bring older buildings up to code

(Jul 13, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, July 13 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, introduced legislation this week that would create a two-year pilot program administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development to help renovate and redevelop historic and older buildings across the commonwealth. “Pennsylvania is rich in history,” Ciresi said. “Just walk down a neighborhood street, you can find historic homes and older buildings recalling our commonwealth’s storied past. Unfortunately, as too many of them require expensive renovations to bring them up to code, many people have been forced to abandon them and leave our downtowns filled with vacant buildings.” House Bill 1573 would create a two-year pilot program administered by DCED to help renovate and redevelop historic and older buildings across Pennsylvania. The program, the “Historic and Older Building Redevelopment Assistance Grant Program,” would address the greater challenges and higher costs involved in bringing older buildings up to code. Grant funds could be used to bring mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems up to code through the installation of modern equipment such as sprinklers, efficient HVAC systems, elevators, and extra stairs, as well as to make entryways and other building features more accessible for people with disabilities. These improvements would be intended for and evaluated based on their ability to Read more

 

Ciresi cyber charter reform bill passes the House

(Jul 08, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, July 8 – In a bipartisan vote, the PA House yesterday passed state Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation (H.B 1422) that would modernize Pennsylvania’s charter school law to specifically address cyber charter schools to ensure transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility. “The vast majority of the commonwealth’s elected school boards have told legislators PA’s charter school law is in desperate need of reform,” Ciresi said. “Today we passed a comprehensive reform bill that holds cyber charter schools to the same standards we expect of anyone who receives public funds, including transparency, ethical standards and greater oversight of spending. By ending $455 million in overpayments and making sure that taxpayer dollars are being properly spent on their intended purpose – educating students – this reform bill will help all our students and taxpayers.” In 2015, the General Assembly passed a law to create an education funding formula based on actual student enrollment and cost factors to address an outdated, flawed and inequitable system of funding school districts. However, the bill did not address cyber charter schools, which continue to receive the same funding as brick-and-mortar charter schools despite having materially lower costs, leading Ciresi to sponsor H.B. 1422 to address this issue. Ciresi’s legislation would set a single statewide tuition rate for non-special Read more

 

Ciresi highlights investment in property tax relief, education in PA budget

(Jul 06, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, July 6 – After his vote to approve the state budget this week, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, highlighted its progress in education funding and significant expansion of property tax relief as the reasons for his support. Pennsylvania’s 2023-24 budget includes $717 million in funding for public schools statewide, including $100 million in “Level Up” funding dedicated for the most underfunded school districts that Ciresi had pushed to include in the budget. “While this budget doesn’t finish the job in addressing education underfunding, we’ve now come farther than ever before in shrinking the funding gap for our underfunded districts, especially our most-underfunded districts like Pottstown,” Ciresi said. “With the help of supplemental ‘Level Up’ funding to help these districts catch up, I’m proud that we’ve delivered almost $10 million in new, recurring state funding for Pottstown School District in the past three years. This funding is helping our schools and led to Pottstown residents even getting a local tax rebate this year.” Locally, the budget increases funding for Montgomery County school districts, including $6 million in increased funding for school districts in the 146th Legislative District: Pottstown School District: $3,363,052 increase. Spring-Ford Area School District: $1,588,175 increase. Pottsgrove School District: Read more

 

Pennsylvania lawmakers consider replacing the state's official song

(Jun 30, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Replacing state song Read more

 

Ciresi, Marcell introduce bipartisan legislation to help intermediate units

(Jun 29, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, June 29 – State Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Kristin Marcell, R-Bucks, introduced a bill this week aimed at helping the state’s intermediate units. House Bill 1526 would permit IUs to own facilities, allowing them to own instructional space and use facilities they already have for instructional purposes. Currently, IUs are only permitted to own office space and warehouse facilities, a limitation that prohibits them from owning facilities used for instructional space that does not apply to school districts, area career and technical schools, or charter schools. Many IUs operate classrooms and other instructional spaces as providers of important special education, pre-school programs and other educational services. All these instructional facilities must be leased, burdening IUs with rental costs that sometimes greatly exceed what it would cost the IU to purchase and own the facility themselves. “As a former school board member, I have seen firsthand the important work that the state’s intermediate units do every day,” Ciresi said. “This bill will help our IUs provide better services to our children and save taxpayer dollars by empowering IUs to avoid costly long-term leases of buildings essential for providing educational services.” Both Ciresi and Marcell served on school boards prior to serving in the PA House. Ciresi was a Read more

 

Ciresi legislation to replace state song adopted by PA House

(Jun 29, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, June 29 – A resolution (H.R. 41) sponsored by State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, to replace the state song was adopted by the House this afternoon. “The problem is this: most Pennsylvanians don’t know we have a state song, but they’ll probably recognize the state songs of Georgia, West Virginia, or New York,” Ciresi said. “State symbols are supposed to bring us together and be part of our identity. We should have a state song that everyone knows and loves because it reflects who we are as a people, and it should work to represent and market Pennsylvania and help bring in tourism.” In 1990, the state legislature adopted the current state song, “Pennsylvania,” by Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner. State law establishes this as Pennsylvania’s official song for all public purposes, and the song is often performed at public events, such as gubernatorial inaugurations. “I’m very glad that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle voted to pass this resolution. We need a song that we take pride in singing because it reflects our pride in Pennsylvania, the cradle of liberty and home to today’s dynamic industries and diverse communities,” Ciresi said. The resolution will establish an independent commission to study the history of the state song, solicit submissions from the public, and recommend changes to the state song. The legislature will then have the option of passing Read more

 

Ciresi introduces bill to boost electric vehicle charging infrastructure

(Jun 21, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, June 21 – With over two million electric vehicles (EV) already on the road and projections forecasting continued growth in EV adoption, state Rep. Joseph Ciresi, D-Montgomery, introduced legislation that would help to create more charging stations throughout Pennsylvania. House Bill 1474 would add electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects as an eligible project type under Pennsylvania’s Property-Assessed Clean Energy program (C-PACE). C-PACE, which was created by Act 30 of 2018 , has facilitated over $250 million in investments in energy efficiency, clean energy, conservation, and other projects by connecting property owners with long-term financing. The investments are funded entirely through private capital, so it would not impose any financial burden on the commonwealth or local governments, according to Ciresi. “As electric vehicles become increasingly common, we need to make sure we have a developed statewide infrastructure with access to convenient charging stations,” Ciresi said. “This bill will unlock financing that would help businesses, workplaces, apartment buildings, and more locations install EV charging stations, offering important access for EV drivers and helping businesses that want to make these types of investments.” Read more

 

Ciresi introduces ‘Level Up’ bill to help state’s most underfunded school districts

(Jun 05, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, June 5 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced the introduction of legislation (H.B. 1311) to increase Level Up funding to $400 million for fiscal year 2023-2024. “Our state’s inequitable school funding system has produced severely underfunded school districts where it is a challenge for students to get a good education,” Ciresi said. “The Commonwealth Court ruling this year declaring Pennsylvania’s school funding system unconstitutional is a call to action. We need to act by working to level the playing field for Pennsylvania’s children and ensure that every child has access to a high quality education. “Level Up has been one of our best tools for reducing inequity in education and ensuring all students have the opportunities to succeed, regardless of zip code. But without additional funding for Level Up, it will take decades or more for our underfunded school districts to reach adequate funding – too long for our children to wait.” According to Ciresi, Pennsylvania began leveling the playing field in 2016 by providing much-needed resources for public education: the enactment of a weighted formula for Basic Education Funding based on need and gradual increases in state education funding. Level Up has played a key role in providing dedicated funding for the 100 most underfunded school districts since it was implemented in FY 2021-2022 and expanded in 2022-2023. “Since its Read more

 

Ciresi announces $1.3M in state grants for Pottstown-area sewer infrastructure
Dec 19, 2023

Ciresi announces $147,500 in state tax credits for Pottstown revitalization
Nov 22, 2023

House passes Ciresi bill to expand EV charging infrastructure
Oct 30, 2023

Ciresi presents $20K check to Lower Pottsgrove to improve emergency responses
Oct 23, 2023

Ciresi bill to outlaw early termination fees for deceased people passes House
Oct 17, 2023

Hard to Read License Plate Replacement Event
Oct 11, 2023

Paper Shredding Event
Oct 11, 2023

Veterans Discount ID Card & FraudSleuth Sign-Up Event
Oct 11, 2023

Ciresi announces nearly $385K in state funding for park improvements
Oct 05, 2023

House passes Ciresi signage bill for land development
Oct 03, 2023

Ciresi anti-littering bill passes PA House
Oct 02, 2023

Ciresi introduces legislation to improve access to state government through live phone services
Sep 13, 2023

Ciresi introduces downtown revitalization bill to bring older buildings up to code
Jul 13, 2023

Ciresi cyber charter reform bill passes the House
Jul 08, 2023

Ciresi highlights investment in property tax relief, education in PA budget
Jul 06, 2023

Pennsylvania lawmakers consider replacing the state's official song
Jun 30, 2023

Ciresi, Marcell introduce bipartisan legislation to help intermediate units
Jun 29, 2023

Ciresi legislation to replace state song adopted by PA House
Jun 29, 2023

Ciresi introduces bill to boost electric vehicle charging infrastructure
Jun 21, 2023

Ciresi introduces ‘Level Up’ bill to help state’s most underfunded school districts
Jun 05, 2023