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Rep. Joseph Ciresi

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Ciresi, Tomlinson introduce bill to require third parties to evaluate charter school students with special needs

(Apr 17, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, April 17 – Legislation to strengthen fairness, transparency and accountability in how students are evaluated for special education services in charter schools was introduced on Friday by state Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Kathleen C. Tomlinson, D-Bucks. According to the representatives, under current law, charter schools receive additional funding for students identified as needing special education services. While this funding is intended to ensure that students receive appropriate support, the Education Law Center noted in a report that the existing system can create incentives for over-identifying students with mild disabilities while underserving those with more complex or costly needs. According to reports , there are cases in which charter school operators have acknowledged using these funds to support general operations. House Bill 2424 would address this issue by requiring an independent qualified third party – specifically, the student’s school district of residence or an intermediate unit – to perform the initial special-education evaluations for charter school students. “Under the current system, there’s simply too much financial temptation for charter schools to over evaluate their students’ disabilities,” Ciresi said. “By eliminating the funding element from playing a role in evaluations, we will ensure that decisions about a student’s educational needs are made solely in Read more

 

Ciresi introduces legislation for free cancer screening for firefighters

(Apr 17, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, April 17 – Legislation to establish a statewide program providing free annual cancer screenings for firefighters was introduced this week by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery. House Bill 2394 would ensure that firefighters can access annual cancer screening examinations at no cost when those services are not fully covered by their health insurance. The program would apply to both career and volunteer firefighters across the Commonwealth. According to Ciresi, firefighters’ repeated job-related exposure to cancer-causing chemicals has led the disease to become one of the leading causes of line-of-duty deaths. Studies by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found that firefighters face a 9% increase in cancer diagnoses, and a 14% increase in cancer-related deaths, compared to the general population in the U.S. “It is morally wrong that our firefighters are being forced to choose between their health and their finances due to the high cost of deductibles, copayments, and other out-of-pocket expenses for work-related preventive care,” Ciresi said. “By removing the financial barriers to annual cancer screenings, my legislation would improve our firefighters’ health outcomes, reduce long-term health care costs, and demonstrate Pennsylvania’s commitment to protecting those who serve and protect our communities.” Read more

 

Ciresi, Friel: Nearly $1M awarded to YWCA, Trellis for Tomorrow: State program funding will support after-school initiatives

(Apr 15, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

ROYERSFORD, April 15 – The YWCA Tri-County Area was awarded a $500,000 grant to expand its intervention-centered programming outside of school time, and Trellis for Tomorrow received $460,451 for its after-school program, Project Thrive, state Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Paul Friel, D-Chester, announced today. The competitive grants, approved today by the School Safety and Security Committee under the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, is part of more than $64 million awarded to organizations across the state. According to Ciresi, the YWCA Tri-County Area will use the funds to expand its Youth Community Building and Empowerment initiative, a prevention-centered out-of-school-time program serving approximately 200 middle school youth across Montgomery, Berks and Chester counties in the Pottstown, Pottsgrove and Owen J. Roberts school districts. Trellis for Tomorrow will expand its existing Garden Club at Pottstown School District into a structured, prevention focused after-school program serving approximately 30 middle and high school students annually. Funds will be used to support employee pay, travel for field-based learning at Trellis garden sites, and equipment needed for garden expansion, grow towers and safe tool usage. “Helping young people thrive requires looking beyond the school day, and this funding will provide our at-risk youth with the educational, mentoring, and peer-led advocacy supports necessary to help Read more

 

Transportation, Agriculture, Community and Economic Development and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Apr 15, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commonwealth Financing Authority: Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Who May Apply: Municipalities, councils of government, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agency, ports (rail/freight) Use: The MTF provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure a safe and reliable system of transportation exists in Pennsylvania. The program is intended to provide financial assistance in order to improve public transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit revitalization. Funds: Requests must have a total eligible cost of $100,000 or more and no request shall exceed $3,000,000 for any project. Application Deadline: July 31, 2026 More information: DCED Website Department of Agriculture: PA Preferred, PA Preferred Homegrown by Heroes, and PA Preferred Organic Marketing Grant Program Who May Apply: Grants may be awarded to PA Preferred, PA Preferred Homegrown by Heroes, or PA Preferred Organic licensees Use: Offsetting the cost of designing or redesigning product labels to include the PA Preferred logo, PA Preferred Homegrown by Heroes logo or PA Preferred Organic logo or Enhancing farmers’ market displays with the PA Preferred, PA Preferred Homegrown by Heroes or PA Preferred Organic logos Funds: Up to $500,000 is available in funding, with no grant to exceed $10,000 Application Deadline: Read more

 

Energy Assistance Programs

(Apr 10, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

April 10, 2026 Read more

 

Democratic SE Delegation urges PUC to reject PECO rate hikes

(Apr 08, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, April 8 — Members of the Pennsylvania House Democratic Southeast Delegation today wrote to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to express their strong opposition to proposed gas and electric rate hikes by PECO, according to state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, the delegation chair. Read more

 

Ciresi introduces legislation to require transparency in data center development

(Apr 07, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, April 7 – Legislation to require transparency in data center development in Pennsylvania, H.B. 2359, was introduced by the PA House Communications & Technology Committee majority chair, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, this week. According to Ciresi, many developers in Pennsylvania and across the country are requiring local governments to sign non-disclosure agreements to prevent discussion about controversial aspects of data center development and operation. These NDAs prevent officials from sharing data centers’ impact on the environment, zoning issues, and community life with residents. “Public officials’ core responsibility is to clearly inform residents about decisions that could impact their lives, such as data center development in their communities. These NDAs prevent them from fulfilling their essential duties, ultimately misleading the public and limiting Pennsylvanians’ active and informed participation in their self-governance,” Ciresi said. “My legislation would ensure transparency and accountability—the foundations of good governance—by prohibiting state and local government agencies from entering into NDAs with data center developers.” Read more

 

Community and Economic Development, Transportation Safety, Fresh Food and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Mar 31, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commonwealth Financing Authority: Business in Our Sites Who May Apply: Municipalities, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development authorities, private developers (construction loans only) Use: The acquisition and development of key sites for future use by businesses, private developers, and others Application Deadline: June 30, 2026 More information: CFA Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) Please note, the NAP is broken down into 5 programs (The Neighborhood Assistance Program, the Special Program Priorities, the Charitable Food Program, the Neighborhood Partnership Program, and the Enterprise Zone Program.) Please visit the DCED website for specifics on each program. Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations Use: The goals of the Programs are to promote community participation and collaborations among the residents, nonprofits and businesses while producing outcomes by assisting a distressed area or the low-income population in a neighborhood. Eligible neighborhood nonprofits apply for tax credits based on pending contributions from for-profit companies. Funds: The total available NAP tax credit amount is $72 million. Application Deadline: May 29, 2026 More information: DCED Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Juvenile Read more

 

Legislative update from Harrisburg!

(Mar 27, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

March 27 Read more

 

House Communications & Technology Committee chairs introduce legislation to start AI public education campaign

(Mar 26, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, March 26 – Legislation to create a campaign to educate Pennsylvanians about the potential benefits and risks of artificial intelligence was introduced as H.B. 2314 this week by the House Communications & Technology Committee chairs, state Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Jason Ortitay, R- Washington/Allegheny. “AI is a double-edged technology offering opportunities for greater productivity while requiring the knowledge to know when it’s misused,” Ciresi said. “Pennsylvania residents, from the very young to our seniors, need to be educated about this constantly evolving technology so that they can leverage its capabilities and protect themselves from being misled or manipulated by it.” According to the chairs, the legislation would create a campaign that would aim at educating the general public and vulnerable populations such as seniors and children about the uses and misuses of AI. The campaign would address various topics, including how to identify AI-generated content, avoiding scams that use AI, understanding responsible behavior when engaging with AI chatbots, protecting personal data when using AI, being aware of bias and misinformation ingrained in AI programs, and protecting children from AI misuses. “Many people do not fully understand AI,” Ortitay said. “This legislation will increase knowledge as it is becoming part of everyday life. While AI has many benefits, it can also be used Read more

 

Spring 2026 Newsletter

(Mar 20, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Read my 2026 spring newsletter to constituents, which includes upcoming events, legislative action and more. Read more

 

Ciresi & Haddock call for gas price hike investigations

(Mar 05, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi, Rep. Jim Haddock

“As soon as the first bomb struck in Iran, gas stations across our state hiked up their prices, not even batting an eye to the fact that the gas in their tanks were already bought and paid for. Now, Pennsylvanians will have to figure out not only how to put food on the table, but how to get to the grocery store in the first place – and this is after costs have been rising faster than worker pay. Read more

 

Grant Memo: School Bus Safety, Recreation Facilities, Recycling, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Mar 04, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS PennDOT: Automated School Bus Enforcement Grant Program Who May Apply: School entities, independent school bus contractors, and municipal governments Use: To cover costs associated with the issuance of CDL licenses to operate school buses within the Commonwealth or to increase school bus safety, education, and training Funds: The total amount of funding available is $1.2 million. Grants can be awarded up to $100,000 per applicant Application Deadline: April 30, 2026 More information: PennDOT Website Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Product Promotion, Education and Export Promotion Matching Grant Program Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations that can demonstrate engagement in market research, product development or promotion of agricultural products grown, raised or produced in the Commonwealth Use: To provide matching funds to nonprofit organizations engaged in market research, development or promotion of agricultural products Funds: Up to $381,810.50 is available for grants under the Program Application Deadline: April 10, 2026 More information: PDA Website Department of Environmental Protection: Recycling Program Development and Implementation Grant Program Who May Apply: Municipalities Use: To develop and implement recycling programs Funds: Grants are available up to $250,000. Application Read more

 

PA House committees hold meeting on protecting local governments from cyberthreats

(Feb 26, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

“The security and welfare of our communities are under attack by increasingly sophisticated cyberthreats,” said Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, House Communications & Technology chair. Increasingly with the help of AI, these attacks are occurring more rapidly and with greater accuracy. The battlefield of the 21st century isn’t fought on land or on sea, but across the internet, with the potential to destroy the services on which our lives depend. We must do everything we can to insulate our computer systems, networks and digital devices from targeted attacks." Read more

 

Grant Memo: Transportation, Parks, Pedestrian Safety, School Mental Health, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Feb 11, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: All-Terrain Vehicle/Snowmobile Grants Who May Apply: County and municipal governments, non-profits, for-profits Use: Planning, acquisition of land, development, rehabilitation, maintenance of ATV or snowmobile trails and facilities, purchase of equipment, and educational programs related to the use of ATVs or snowmobiles Funds: Grants will range between $25,000 and $1,000,000 Application Deadline: March 31, 2026 More information: DCNR Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Funds: $400 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis More information: DCED Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school districts, post-secondary academic institutions, workforce investment boards, economic development organizations, and non-profit organizations. For-profit Read more

 

Ciresi highlights focus on safeguards and protections for AI use, correcting a legacy of education underfunding and upgrading transit infrastructure in Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal

(Feb 04, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, reacted to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2026-27 budget unveiled Tuesday before a joint session of the General Assembly. “As Majority Chair of the House Communications & Technology Committee, I was very impressed and pleased to hear the Governor’s plan to position Pennsylvania as a leader in the race for AI supremacy in a way that puts Pennsylvanians first and protects our environment. The Governor is clear about setting strong guardrails and protections, especially for the most vulnerable users, reinforcing the critical role of human judgement in the operation of AI, and expanding digital and AI literacy in the commonwealth. I look forward to our committee’s important work on these issues in the months ahead. “The budget will continue to make historic investments in our schools, with $8.31 billion (a $50 million increase) for Basic Education Funding, $1.58 billion (a $50 million increase) for Special Education Funding and $1.95 billion (a $565 million increase) to fulfill the court-mandated third installment to close the funding gap between wealthy and underfunded districts. “As a longtime advocate of cyber charter reform, I was pleased to hear that the necessary reforms we still need to make, which will save school districts and taxpayers another $75 million each year, remains a priority. This would build on the $178 million in estimated savings from the 2025-2026 Read more

 

Two bills supporting local journalism approved in committee

(Feb 04, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – The Pennsylvania House Communications and Technology Committee today advanced two bills aimed at supporting the development of local journalism across the commonwealth. “For the past 20 years, we’ve seen a troubling decline in the number of local newspapers and reporters covering important community issues,” said state Rep. Joseph Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “Thousands of newspapers have closed, and the number of newsroom employees has dropped by more than half. Local journalism in Pennsylvania needs support. The first weeks of 2026 underscore the urgency: the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced it will shut down, the Clinton County Record ceased publication, and the LNP Media Group in Lancaster, along with Lehigh Valley Public Media, announced significant layoffs. “The decline in local news reporting is having a devastating impact on our democracy,” Ciresi added. “If residents don’t know what’s happening in their towns and cities, how can they understand what issues need attention or hold leaders accountable? An informed electorate is the foundation of an engaged one.” Ciresi noted that the proposed bills aim to reduce news deserts by placing journalists in communities where they are needed most, preserving a strong local media environment across Pennsylvania. Introduced by state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., the legislative package addresses the growing shortage of Read more

 

You asked, we listened: Expanded Office Hours

(Jan 30, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Jan. 30 Read more

 

Community Parks, Public Schools, Public Safety, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Jan 22, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) Who May Apply: County or Municipal Government, Higher Educational Institution, Other Educational Institution, Non-profit with 501(c)3 IRS Status and Non-profit with PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations Status. Use: Park rehabilitation and development, recreation and conservation planning, land acquisition and conservation, trail projects, river conservation and development, and community and watershed forestry. Funds: The total grant awards vary based on state and federal funding sources, with the program awarding approximately $50 million for projects each year. Individual grant amounts also vary, with typical awards ranging from $50,000 - $500,000. Application Deadline: April 30, 2026 More information: DCNR Website Liquor Control Board: Alcohol Education Grant Program Who May Apply: School districts and institutions of higher education (including technical, trade, and post-secondary establishments), community organizations, municipal police departments, municipal officials/representatives, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Use: To fund programs that discourage and reduce underage and dangerous drinking and promote a message of responsible alcohol consumption by those of legal drinking age. Funds: The grant cycle is for two years, from July 2026 through June Read more

 

Ciresi: Over $1.3 in state funding awarded for community infrastructure projects

(Jan 20, 2026) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

ROYERSFORD, Jan. 20 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced that over $1.3 million in state funding was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority for infrastructure projects in the 146th Legislative District. “As our communities’ advocate in Harrisburg, I worked with the Shapiro administration and the CFA to explain how these grants would enable our municipalities to make critical improvements on the roads we travel and the streets we walk that otherwise might not be possible,” Ciresi said. “I am very pleased that we’ve also received funding to improve our water infrastructure without raising local taxes.” Funding from the Multimodal Transportation Fund includes: $550,000 to Limerick Township for Phase 2 of improving Lightcap Road. $139,025 to Royersford Borough for streetscape improvements along Main Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenue Funding from the Small Water and Sewer Program includes: $190,283 to North Coventry Water Authority for its Riverside Drive water main relocation project $424,589 to Pottstown Borough Authority for Phase 3 of its lead service replacement project The grants were approved Tuesday by the Commonwealth Financing Authority from the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund and Small Water and Sewer program . Read more

 

Ciresi, Tomlinson introduce bill to require third parties to evaluate charter school students with special needs
Apr 17, 2026

Ciresi introduces legislation for free cancer screening for firefighters
Apr 17, 2026

Ciresi, Friel: Nearly $1M awarded to YWCA, Trellis for Tomorrow: State program funding will support after-school initiatives
Apr 15, 2026

Transportation, Agriculture, Community and Economic Development and Additional Grant Opportunities
Apr 15, 2026

Energy Assistance Programs
Apr 10, 2026

Democratic SE Delegation urges PUC to reject PECO rate hikes
Apr 08, 2026

Ciresi introduces legislation to require transparency in data center development
Apr 07, 2026

Community and Economic Development, Transportation Safety, Fresh Food and Additional Grant Opportunities
Mar 31, 2026

Legislative update from Harrisburg!
Mar 27, 2026

House Communications & Technology Committee chairs introduce legislation to start AI public education campaign
Mar 26, 2026

Spring 2026 Newsletter
Mar 20, 2026

Ciresi & Haddock call for gas price hike investigations
Mar 05, 2026

Grant Memo: School Bus Safety, Recreation Facilities, Recycling, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Mar 04, 2026

PA House committees hold meeting on protecting local governments from cyberthreats
Feb 26, 2026

Grant Memo: Transportation, Parks, Pedestrian Safety, School Mental Health, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Feb 11, 2026

Ciresi highlights focus on safeguards and protections for AI use, correcting a legacy of education underfunding and upgrading transit infrastructure in Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal
Feb 04, 2026

Two bills supporting local journalism approved in committee
Feb 04, 2026

You asked, we listened: Expanded Office Hours
Jan 30, 2026

Community Parks, Public Schools, Public Safety, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jan 22, 2026

Ciresi: Over $1.3 in state funding awarded for community infrastructure projects
Jan 20, 2026