HARRISBURG, April 4 – As an advocate for customer protections in Pennsylvania, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery), announced today he has introduced legislation (H.B. 2186) that would help people avoid falling victim to gift card scams. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 25 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced the introduction of legislation that would ensure the proper use of electric vehicle charging spots in Pennsylvania. There are currently more than 2 million electric vehicles on the road nationwide, with more sold each year, but there is a limited availability of public charging stations. According to Ciresi, the blocking of charging stations for reasons other than charging is a common frustration among many EV owners and has been cited by planners in Pennsylvania as a challenge to EV deployment. His legislation, H.B. 1043, would ensure that spots clearly marked as reserved for electric vehicle charging are properly utilized and cannot be used by non-electric vehicles or vehicles not connected for charging, similar to existing laws restricting improper use of reserved disability parking spaces. “We want to make it easy for people to adopt electric vehicles to alleviate our reliance on fossil fuels to support a clean environment and reduce the impact of climate change,” Ciresi said. “Unfortunately, too often EV drivers find the reserved and marked EV charging stations blocked when they need it, leaving many electric vehicle owners struggling to find places to charge their vehicles. The lack of charging station availability is a serious impediment, impacting EV owners from everything from planning a trip to going about daily errands.” Eighteen states, including Read more
POTTSTOWN, April 20 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, on Sunday presented $50,000 in state funding to the North End Fire Company No. 1 in Pottstown. The PA Department of Community and Economic Development grant Ciresi secured will allow facility improvements to the fire company, specifically for a new shower room and a new training room. “The officers, career staff and members are extremely humbled for the efforts that Joe Ciresi and his staff dedicated in making every attempt to help the North End,” said Jeff Swider, treasurer of the North End Fire Company. “Joe presented the North End with a $50,000 check for capital projects to our fire house. Joe, thank you for stepping up and keeping your word to stand by and help the North End! We cannot thank you enough!” “On behalf of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, this grant recognizes the importance that local fire companies play in critical public services,” Ciresi said. “Our fire companies do a lot to keep us safe with limited resources. I will always look for ways to connect them to state funding to meet their needs, so that they can continue doing their outstanding work for the Pottstown community.” Read more
Spring 2023 newsletter Read more
ROYERSFORD, April 13 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced the introduction of legislation that would exempt at-home medical test kits from the sales tax in Pennsylvania. Diagnostic testing materials are currently subject to sales tax in the state. According to Ciresi, this creates additional barriers to diagnosis. His H.B. 875 would exempt at-home medical test kits from the state’s sales tax, including at-home pregnancy tests, COVID-19 tests, and all other test kits and equipment used for the diagnosis, treatment or monitoring of diseases or medical conditions. “It is our responsibility to provide Pennsylvanians with as many tools as possible to live long, happy lives, and exempting at-home medical tests from the sales tax is one more tool we can provide,” Ciresi said. “This would enable more of us to protect our own and others' health while remaining in the comfort of our own homes.” During COVID-19, at-home testing kits became more available, allowing residents showing symptoms of the virus to remain home and keep others safe. Ciresi said these tests are vital to public health and should not be taxed when Pennsylvanians are trying to keep themselves and others healthy. Read more
Please keep to a limit of five boxes of paper per household. Read more
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
Apply to get a SEPTA Senior Key Card or renew your expiring card! SEPTA Senior Key Cards allow free travel on SEPTA trains and transit for seniors (65+): please bring ID showing proof of age or your expiring SEPTA Senior Key Card if you are renewing. Read more
This FREE event includes information for seniors, unclaimed property search, many vendors, and light refreshments. We encourage you to visit the many health, government, and service organizations that will be participating. Pre-registration at (610) 495-6432 is preferred. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 31 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, introduced H.B. 725 and H.B. 726 to support the mental health workforce. “Pennsylvania’s children need adequate mental health support, but the mental health profession has been depleted by underfunding, provider and staffing shortages, and insufficient programs and access,” Ciresi said. “Especially as the need for mental health services challenges the system’s capacity, we need to address the profession’s recruitment and burnout. My two bills would help retain and recruit highly qualified individuals into the mental health field and ensure that our children receive the quality care they need.” The bills were produced in response to the Joint State Government Commission’s study on the shortage of mental health care professionals in Pennsylvania. The commission reported that Pennsylvania has a below-average number of mental health care providers per capita, and the trend is worsening. The commission recommended greater financial assistance for mental health professionals to reduce the cost barrier of higher education and attract more individuals to the field. The issues highlighted in the commission’s 2020 report only worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw higher demand for mental health services and added to the workforce shortage. H.B. 725 would establish a student loan forgiveness program specifically for students seeking undergraduate or Read more
HARRISBURG, March 28 – State Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and R. Lee James, R-Venango, introduced legislation on Monday to create the Historic Homeownership Preservation Incentive Tax Credit in Pennsylvania. The proposed legislation would allow homeowners with a plan to rehabilitate their historic home located in a qualified census tract to receive tax credits towards the rehabilitation project. “Historic preservation preserves our cultural and historic resources for future generations, and plays a key role in revitalizing communities, creating jobs, supporting local tax bases, and improving quality of life,” Ciresi said. “Currently, Pennsylvania has a Historic Preservation Tax Credit that supports the rehabilitation of income-producing properties but has no equivalent for owner-occupied historic structures despite the benefits to our economy and society. It’s time we changed that.” The representatives say that research shows that similar tax programs are great economic engines for communities. The representatives found that Maryland’s Historic Revitalization Tax Credit Program helped rehabilitate over 4,000 historic buildings since 1996, creating 25,000 jobs in the process. They also learned that studies have repeatedly found that historic preservation creates more jobs for each dollar than other public investments, including new construction and manufacturing. “So much rich history has passed here in the Read more
HARRISBURG, March 24 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, introduced legislation (H.R. 41) this week to replace the Pennsylvania state song. 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. “State symbols bring us together,” Ciresi said. “When we see our state flag and hear our state song, we should be able to share our commonality and celebrate our heritage as fellow Pennsylvanians. Unfortunately, our current state song is known by few and does not reflect the dynamic and diverse Pennsylvania of today.” “In the three decades since the state song was adopted, Pennsylvania has changed greatly, and our state song should embody the spirit of our great state,” Ciresi said. The resolution would 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 would then have the option of passing legislation to change the state song based on the commission’s recommendation. Read more
“Today’s hearing provided us with a great opportunity to examine how reimbursements for charter schools work, and how we can make sure we’re being proper stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Rep. Joe Ciresi (D-Montgomery), who hosted Wednesday’s hearing. “We will always preserve school choice, but it has been more than 20 years since we last reformed our charter school law, and the testimony we heard today proved it’s now antiquated and negatively impacting school districts, students and taxpayers.” Read more
HARRISBURG, March 21 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today introduced legislation, (H.B. 641) that would protect patients and medical personnel from health care facility retaliation for filing grievances and complaints. “When mistakes are made at a medical care facility, patients can suffer physically, emotionally and financially,” Ciresi said. “Patients and medical personnel should be able to report errors and unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation for speaking up.” House Bill 641 would protect patients and medical personnel who file grievances or complaints with the facility or its staff, entities charged with accrediting or evaluating health care facilities or a governmental entity. It would also protect people who initiate, participate in, or cooperate with investigations or administrative hearings related to facility quality of care, services or conditions. As part of the protection, the bill would establish a rebuttable presumption that discriminatory treatment against patients and medical personnel was retaliatory if done within a set time after the filing of a grievance or complaint. If a facility is found to have engaged in discrimination or retaliation, victims would be entitled to civil and criminal penalties, including fines and restitution, for lost wages, work benefits and legal costs. “When passed, my legislation will help guarantee the vital right of patients and medical personnel to report unsafe Read more
HARRISBURG, March 16 – As a longtime, successful advocate for transportation and infrastructure programs in the 146th Legislative District, State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced today that he has helped to secure 1.7 million in state grants for area transportation and infrastructure projects through the Commonwealth Financing Authority. “I am proud to have secured $1.7 million in grant funding for these significant and far-reaching projects, particularly the feasibility study that will help establish passenger service between Reading and Philadelphia,” Ciresi said. “This funding will improve our area through investments in projects to reduce traffic, make our streets safer, and increase access to residential, business and recreational areas.” The funding will be used for the following projects: $250,000 toward reconstructing and aligning Lightcap Road in Limerick Township to support the increase in traffic caused by development in the area. $200,000 for the restoration of First Avenue from Arch Street to the trailhead parking area in Royersford Borough to improve access to residences, businesses, and amenities; support the broader Royersford business climate; and ensure a safe and well-maintained connection to the Schuylkill River Trail and other connected trails. $1 million to replace outdated streetlights in Pottstown Borough with new, energy efficient LED lights and control systems, and to install crime prevention Read more
HARRISBURG, March 10 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, presented a check on Wednesday night at Pottstown Borough Council Committee of the Whole meeting, for a $250,000 PA Department of Community and Economic Development grant he secured for Pottstown’s LED streetlight conversion project. “Pottstown’s old streetlights made it difficult to drive or walk safely at night, as well drove up the Borough’s electric bills,” Ciresi said. “I secured this $250,000 grant to replace the old lights with new, energy efficient LED lights and control systems which will use less electricity and dramatically improve nighttime visibility and so improve safety in Pottstown Borough.” Pottstown Borough has 1,821 streetlights which were installed in the 1960s, consisting of high-pressure sodium and mercury vapor. This DCED grant has allowed Pottstown Borough to purchase 820 fixtures to convert streetlights to LED, which will be installed by the borough. "The upgrade of our streetlights to LED became possible due to the funding provided by DCED and the advocacy of Representative Ciresi,” Pottstown Borough Manager Justin Keller said. “We are grateful for their support as it allows us to reduce our carbon footprint and save on energy costs while improving safety in our neighborhoods. The LED streetlight upgrades are in line with our joint sustainability plan with the School District, emphasizing Read more
HARRISBURG, March 9 – State Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Jim Haddock, D-Lackawanna/Luzerne, introduced this week H.B. 113, to expand the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program in Pennsylvania. “Pennsylvanians are struggling under high inflation to pay for basic necessities, especially housing,” Ciresi said. “I firmly believe that we must help our seniors and people with disabilities stay in the homes they’ve lived in for years for their own health and for community stability. Unfortunately, while inflation and cost of living has risen, PTRR’s income limits, rebate amounts and other provisions have not been updated to correspond with economic changes, so fewer people qualify for the program, and the rebates don’t provide the needed financial assistance.” “We must act now to expand PTRR as next year, thousands of seniors will lose eligibility because their Social Security cost-of-living adjustments will push them above the eligibility threshold,” Ciresi said. “It is time to make sure that our seniors can remain eligible, and that more individuals can seek assistance from this vital program.” The legislation would increase income limits for homeowners and renters to $50,000 and $25,000, respectively, recognizing the impact inflation has had since the last increase in 2006. In addition, the legislation would permanently reinstate a provision that would ensure individuals are not deemed ineligible for Read more
HARRISBURG, March 7 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, reacted to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2023-24 budget unveiled today before a joint session of the General Assembly. “I was glad to hear a vision to invest in important and necessary priorities of property tax relief, mental health, school facilities, and public safety in Governor Shapiro’s first budget,” Ciresi said. “The call to expand the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, which I’ve proposed legislation to do , would be a significant investment in housing affordability, providing property tax and housing relief to more than half a million seniors and individuals with disabilities.” The budget proposed expanding the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program by raising income eligibility caps to $45,000 for both homeowners and renters, indexing eligibility caps to inflation, and increasing maximum rebates to $1,000. These changes, the first major update since 2006, would expand program eligibility to 173,000 individuals, and increase assistance to an additional 398,000 people. Ciresi said the proposed budget also includes an additional $671 million for basic and special education statewide, delivering an increase of $5.8 million to school districts in the 146 th District, including: Pottsgrove School District: $1.2 million. Pottstown School District: $2.9 million. Spring-Ford Area School District: $1.7 Read more
Preserving historic homes Read more
'Now is the time' to act on fair school funding advocates say (pottsmerc.com) Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 7 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced $ 137,987 in state funding to support fire and EMS services in the 146th Legislative District. The grants originate from the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, administered by the Office of State Fire Commissioner. The money can be used for facility upgrades, equipment, debt reduction, training and certification, education and public outreach, and recruitment and retention efforts. “On behalf of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, these grants recognize the importance that local fire and EMS companies play in critical public services,” Ciresi said. “These companies deserve all of the funding they can access at the state level, and I will always be proud to help them realize those opportunities.” Below are the companies in the 146 th District with their funding amounts. Friendship HLH&A Inc. $10,000 Goodwill Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 1 $25,000 Limerick Fire Department $28,028 North End Fire Co. $15,000 Philadelphia Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 1 $15,000 Ringing Hill Fire Co. $14,959 Royersford Fire Department $15,000 Sanatoga Fire Co. $15,000 For the full list of awards: 2022-23-Firefighter-Grant-Awards.pdf (pa.gov) . Read more
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