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Ciresi introduces legislation to prevent gift card scams

Rep. Joseph Ciresi

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Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(7 hours ago) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Who May Apply: Any nonprofit organization designated under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the organization must primarily serve individuals, groups, or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidence identified by the FBI in its Hate Crime Statistics Publication (race/ethnicity/ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender, or gender identity). Use: For security enhancements designed to protect the safety and security of the users of a facility located in the Commonwealth. Funds: A total of $10 million in state funding is available for this round. Grants may range from $5,000 to $150,000 with match funding required above a request of $25,001 based on the size of the grant request. Application Deadline: January 12, 2026 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Continuing County Adult Probation and Parole Grant Who May Apply: Counties that provide adult probation staff and may be used for costs incurred by the county for adult probation and parole services, but only to the extent that the staff and program meet the qualifications and standards established by the Commission. Use: To provide funding from the Commonwealth for costs incurred by the county for adult probation and parole supervision. Read more

 

Shapiro signs into law Ciresi legislation to expand access to simplified unclaimed property claims, further help heirs following the death of a loved one

(Nov 25, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Nov. 25 – On Monday, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed into law state Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation that will make it easier and less expensive for Pennsylvanians to claim property that is rightfully theirs — and reduce the financial burden following the death of a loved. Ciresi’s H.B. 1176 , now Act 50 of 2025: Increases the amount of unclaimed property that heirs can claim from the Pennsylvania Treasury using a notarized relationship affidavit from $11,000 up to $20,000. Raises the amount a financial institution may release to a family member of a deceased individual from $10,000 to $20,000 if the family member presents a receipt verifying funeral expenses have been paid. Redirects the estates of decedents who die with no will and no heirs to an endowed community fund near the place of the decedent’s last residence. “While Pennsylvania’s unclaimed property vault containing more than $4 billion sits there waiting for people to claim what’s rightfully theirs, the process has been too challenging or too expensive for people’s heirs to claim it,” Ciresi, D-Montgomery, said. “That’s because the legislature hadn’t updated the $11,000 limit for simplified heir claims for more than 20 years--since 2002! I am thrilled that my legislation, now law, will help Pennsylvanians access the money that belongs to them with less cost, less paperwork and less delay.” The new law included Read more

 

Local emergencies in Pottstown, District Office Holiday schedule, Harrisburg update

(Nov 21, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Dear Neighbor, Office Hours Thanksgiving Week In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, my office will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Friday, Nov. 28, and will reopen on Monday morning, Dec. 1. I hope you enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones. Read more

 

Pa. legislature clears Ciresi’s bill to expand access to simplified unclaimed property claims, further help heirs following the death of a loved one

(Nov 19, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

“While Pennsylvania’s unclaimed property vault containing more than $4 billion sits there waiting for people to claim what’s rightfully theirs, the process to do so is sometimes too challenging or too expensive for people’s heirs to claim it,” Ciresi said. “It’s because the legislature hasn’t updated the $11,000 limit for simplified heir claims for more than 20 years, since 2002. I am delighted my House and Senate colleagues understood the wisdom of this legislation and for Pennsylvania to keep up with the times." Read more

 

House Communications & Technology Committee holds public hearing on school panic alarms legislation

(Nov 17, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Nov. 17 – In a step to increase school safety for students and teachers, the PA House Communications & Technology Committee held a public hearing Monday on legislation ( H.B. 634 ) introduced by state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks, that would require schools to consider implementing silent panic alarm buttons in classrooms during the annual review of their safety and security practices. The alarms would be linked directly with law enforcement responders and could be used to signal a life-threatening emergency. The legislation is modeled after “Alyssa’s Law,” named for 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff, who was murdered along with 17 others in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting in Parkland, Florida in 2018. In the wake of the shooting, Alyssa’s parents and fellow advocates have fought for the passage of laws to require or permit schools to install silent panic alarm buttons in classrooms. “At today’s hearing, Alyssa Alahadeff’s mother, Lori, movingly advocated for the implementation of silent panic alarms in our schools as a necessary step to prevent the unthinkable—the murder of a child in a school shooting,” said state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, who chairs the House Communications & Technology Committee. “At a time when it seems like there is a school shooting every day in our country, we must take concrete steps to make our schools as safe as possible. Read more

 

Nov. 17, 2025 Communications & Technology Testimony: Silent Alarms

(Nov 14, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Nov. 17, 2025 Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Nov 14, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Below are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Commonwealth Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Who May Apply: State and local organizations, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations, and other eligible specialty crops stakeholders. Use: To assist with the growth, certification of seed and marketing of eligible specialty crops. Funds: $460,000 is available for funding Application Deadline: December 19, 2025 More information: PDA Website Department of Agriculture: Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Who May Apply: State and local organizations, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations and other eligible specialty crops stakeholders. Use: To enhance the competitiveness of eligible specialty crops. Funds: Approximately $1,000,000 is available for funding Application Deadline: December 19, 2025 More information: PDA 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. Read more

 

I Voted to End the Budget Shutdown

(Nov 13, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Dear Neighbor, With a divided Legislature, Gov. Shapiro was finally able to sign a bipartisan budget deal on Wednesday. While no compromise is perfect, I was proud to support the 2025–26 budget because it makes historic investments in education, achieves record savings in cyber charter school funding—thanks to legislation I championed—and provides critical funding for mental health services in schools. The House and Senate did this without raising taxes or reducing the Rainy Day Fund. Pennsylvania’s spending plan increases total funding for K-12 education by more than $700 million. As a longtime champion of cyber charter school funding reform, I am pleased to see that there will be $178 million in cyber charter savings statewide. School districts in the 146th Legislative District alone will save $1.18 Read more

 

Ciresi highlights historic investment in public education, cyber charter reform savings in PA budget

(Nov 12, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Nov. 12 – After his vote to approve the 2025-26 state budget today, state Rep. Joe Ciresi said he was proud to support the budget because without raising taxes or reducing the Rainy Day Fund, it makes historic investments in education with record savings in cyber charter school funding, thanks to legislation he championed, and critical funding in mental health services in schools. Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 budget increases total funding for K-12 education by more than $700 million. A longtime champion of cyber charter school funding reform, Ciresi said he was pleased to see that there would be $178 million in cyber charter savings statewide. School districts in the 146th Legislative District alone will save $1.18 million, reflecting savings from adjusting cyber tuition to better reflect the actual costs of teaching kids. Ciresi most recently proposed significant cyber charter funding reforms in his H.B. 1372. “This budget’s record investments in public education are an investment in Pennsylvania’s future, funding more than a billion new dollars in our schools which help relieve overburdened property taxpayers,” Ciresi said. “The $100 million for school safety and mental health services for our students will help schools provide critical services to kids so they don’t slip through the cracks and help foster safe and secure learning environments.” Locally, the budget increases funding for Montgomery Read more

 

Our community always steps up + Aqua proposed merger

(Nov 07, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Nov 7, 2025 Read more

 

House Communications & Technology Committee discusses AI transparency and digital content provenance

(Nov 03, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Nov. 3 – As AI deepfakes and fabricated content proliferate across media, the PA House Communications and Technology Committee, chaired by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, held a timely informational meeting last week on the importance of maintaining digital content provenance to combat misinformation, safeguard intellectual property, and preserve consumer trust. “As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly sophisticated, it’s getting harder for consumers of digital content to tell what’s real and what was generated or altered,” Ciresi, D-Montgomery, said. “Misinformation spread by AI threatens the social fabric, and we need to take necessary steps to protect the public from misleading, fabricated content.” Santiago Lyon, head of Advocacy and Education for the Content Authenticity Initiative, gave a presentation to the committee on how technology can be used to combat misinformation and what leaders in the industry are doing to allow for the labeling and identification of AI-generated or modified content. “At Adobe, we believe transparency is essential to trust in the age of AI,” said Lyon. “As AI becomes a more powerful creative tool, people deserve to know the origins of the content they see online and how it’s made. That’s why we’re proud to work with industry partners, policymakers and creators to advance open standards that protect creative rights, encourage greater Read more

 

Federal Shutdown Resources

(Oct 31, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Oct. 31, 2025 Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Oct 27, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS PennDOT: Green Light-Go Program Who May Apply: Municipalities and planning organizations. Use: To improve existing traffic control signals, such as LED replacement, traffic signal retiming, and studies, among other projects. Funds: Up to $40 million is available and projects require a 20% match. Application Deadline: Pre-application scoping forms will be accepted until January 2, 2026. PennDOT will provide comments by February 28, 2026. The full application window will be between March 1, 2026, and March 31, 2026. More information: PennDOT website Conservation and Natural Resources: Volunteer Fire Assistance Who May Apply: Volunteer fire companies in rural areas or communities under 10,000 in population Use: To prevent, control, and suppress the threat of wildfires through the purchase of wildfire suppression equipment, wildfire protective gear, mobile radios, installation of dry hydrants, wildfire training, or wildfire prevention and mitigation Funds: Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The maximum grant for 2025 is $15,000. Application Deadline: December 31, 2025 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, Read more

 

Fed govt shutdown impacts SNAP, LIHEAP; State budget impasse

(Oct 24, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Dear Neighbor, In this week’s update, you’ll find: Local events leading up to Halloween SNAP and LIHEAP impacts from federal shutdown State grants State budget impasse continues Our community is stronger because of the various non-profit organizations that support our workforce, seniors, and youth. The Tri-County YWCA is one of them, and this Saturday, the YW is hosting their annual block party on King Street (between N. Charlotte and N. Evans). Come check it out between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.! My staff will have a table, along with over 50 vendors. Read more

 

Get ready to vote; Recap of town hall

(Oct 17, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Oct. 17 Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Oct 17, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Fish and Boat Commission: Boating Facility Grant Program Who May Apply: Municipalities and non-profit organizations, including land trusts, conservancies, and watershed associations. Use: Planning, acquisition, development, expansion, and rehabilitation of public boating facilities Funds: Funds available may be adjusted by the commission and priority is given to projects with more than the required 50% match. Application Deadline: December 1, 2025 More information: PFBC 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 entities are not eligible. Read more

 

Ciresi introduces bill to prohibit trespassing using drones

(Oct 17, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – A bill, H.B. 1926, prohibiting trespassing with a drone was introduced this week by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery. The bill would strengthen criminal trespass laws in Pennsylvania. “Although state law in Pennsylvania forbids someone from physically trespassing on another person’s property, it has not been adapted to include the use of drone technology,” Ciresi said. “My legislation would update state laws to prohibit trespass by drone, bringing Pennsylvania in line with other states such as Utah and Virginia , which already expressly prohibit it.” Ciresi was alerted to the issue by a constituent whose property had been repeatedly trespassed by a drone and found that the local police had difficulty filing charges because of limitations in existing state law. House Bill 1926 would prohibit the use of a drone if a person uses it to enter or remain over the property of another person with the intention of coercing, intimidating or causing annoyance, damaging property, or defying an order to leave or not enter the property as presented to the offender by the owner of the property, another authorized person or a law enforcement officer. “This bill would update state law to account for proliferation of the use of drones and hold bad actors accountable when they misuse this technology,” Ciresi said. Read more

 

Ciresi, Friel town hall with Pottstown NAACP highlights negative impact of federal budget cuts, delayed state budget on Pennsylvania

(Oct 16, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

POTTSTOWN, Oct. 16 – State Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Paul Friel, D-Chester, last night held a town hall with the NAACP’s Pottstown chapter. “Democracy was in action last night at the Pottstown town hall,” Ciresi said. “I was invigorated to see such passionate community engagement and thoughtful and respectful debate about how the federal and state budgets are having an impact on people’s lives.” Many of the audience questions concerned the impact that cuts and changes to SNAP and Medicaid would have on them and their communities. “Medicaid and SNAP have provided life-saving health care and put food on the tables of low-income Pennsylvanians for decades,” Ciresi said. “As a result of the federal budget cuts and changes to these programs, 5,914 people will lose Medicaid and 1,024 will lose SNAP in Chester County. Here in Montgomery County, 12,009 individuals will lose Medicaid and 2,336 will lose SNAP. In Pottstown alone, 1,662 people will lose Medicaid and 746 will lose SNAP. “These changes and cuts could not come at a worse time for our communities struggling with overburdened healthcare systems and rising food insecurity. Medicaid and SNAP have helped to stabilize our communities and support our economic growth. With more people in our communities living on the edge due to these cuts and changes, life will become unstable for us all. No one will be untouched by this devastation Read more

 

Ciresi to hold free shred event Oct. 19

(Oct 10, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

ROYERSFORD, Oct. 10 - - State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, will host a free community shred event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19 at Pottsgrove High School, 1345 Kauffman Road, Pottstown. “My free shred event is an opportunity for residents to dispose of sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information and credit card applications in a safe and secure way,” said Ciresi. “We’re here to help you safeguard your privacy and protect your information.” District residents are invited to bring up to four boxes or bags of paper. Residents should remove large binder clips, spiral notebooks, x-rays, trash, or plastic. Shredding important documents helps prevent identity theft and protects personal information from falling into the wrong hands. Documents containing Social Security numbers, bank information, or medical details can be misused by thieves to steal money, run up credit card bills, or commit crimes under someone else’s name. Read more

 

This Week: Wednesday's Town Hall and Sunday's Shredding Event

(Oct 10, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Oct. 13, 2025 Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
7 hours ago

Shapiro signs into law Ciresi legislation to expand access to simplified unclaimed property claims, further help heirs following the death of a loved one
Nov 25, 2025

Local emergencies in Pottstown, District Office Holiday schedule, Harrisburg update
Nov 21, 2025

Pa. legislature clears Ciresi’s bill to expand access to simplified unclaimed property claims, further help heirs following the death of a loved one
Nov 19, 2025

House Communications & Technology Committee holds public hearing on school panic alarms legislation
Nov 17, 2025

Nov. 17, 2025 Communications & Technology Testimony: Silent Alarms
Nov 14, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Nov 14, 2025

I Voted to End the Budget Shutdown
Nov 13, 2025

Ciresi highlights historic investment in public education, cyber charter reform savings in PA budget
Nov 12, 2025

Our community always steps up + Aqua proposed merger
Nov 07, 2025

House Communications & Technology Committee discusses AI transparency and digital content provenance
Nov 03, 2025

Federal Shutdown Resources
Oct 31, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 27, 2025

Fed govt shutdown impacts SNAP, LIHEAP; State budget impasse
Oct 24, 2025

Get ready to vote; Recap of town hall
Oct 17, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 17, 2025

Ciresi introduces bill to prohibit trespassing using drones
Oct 17, 2025

Ciresi, Friel town hall with Pottstown NAACP highlights negative impact of federal budget cuts, delayed state budget on Pennsylvania
Oct 16, 2025

Ciresi to hold free shred event Oct. 19
Oct 10, 2025

This Week: Wednesday's Town Hall and Sunday's Shredding Event
Oct 10, 2025