Latino representation is lacking in Pennsylvania, particularly when you consider the growth that has occurred across Pennsylvania over the last decade. The LRC plan makes major strides in correcting this injustice and restoring fairness in representation in Pennsylvania. Read more

Our democracy is at risk. A year after that act of domestic terrorism on the U.S. Capitol, our country continues to be a battlefield over the legitimacy of our elections and the right to vote. Believing the lies spread by the former president, elected Republicans and the right-wing media, thousands lay violent siege to our seat of American government, determined to stop the certification of the rightfully elected winner, Joe Biden. At least seven people lost their lives in connection to that day. The forces of authoritarianism and minority rule didn’t win that day, but Jan. 6 spelled the beginning of an attempted coup to overturn American democracy that has taken place in our state houses every day since. Hundreds of voter suppression bills have been introduced and nearly three dozen laws passed which will enable state legislatures to undermine their elections and subvert the will of the people. These laws in particular have sought to disenfranchise Black and Brown people’s right to vote We have to protect American democracy and every citizen’s constitutionally guaranteed right to vote here in Pennsylvania. That is why I am supporting the K. Leroy Irvis Voting Rights Protection Act (House Bill 2090), which aims to make casting a ballot easier by continuing to allow early voting; providing for more ballot drop boxes; and permitting same day registration, which have all been adopted in other states. Named Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 30 – A fervent advocate for outdoor recreation and the conservation of natural habitats in the 152 nd Legislative District, state Rep. Nancy Guenst proudly announced today that Upper Dublin Township was awarded $249,100 to develop Twining Valley Park, and Upper Moreland Township was awarded $335,000 to restore Farmstead Park. The Community Conservation Partnership Program grants are from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). “This state investment in our local recreation areas in Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland townships will enhance the quality of life for our residents, giving them areas to engage in physical activities outdoors,” Guenst said. “I am in particular glad that this money will help restore Farmstead Park’s natural habitat and safeguard the creek, while providing pedestrian walkways so people can enjoy the natural beauty of the area.” Upper Dublin Township was awarded $249,100 to develop Twining Valley Park. The money will be used to construct a dog park, pump track, pickleball courts, pedestrian walkways, parking area and stormwater management measures; install play equipment with required safety surfacing, lighting and utilities; ADA access, landscaping, project signage, and other related site improvements. Upper Moreland Township was awarded $335,000 to restore Farmstead Park along an unnamed tributary to Pennypack Creek. Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 30 – State Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, today announced that $473,991 in Community Conservation Partnership Program funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has been awarded for various conservation projects in Chester County. “These state grants will help protect our land and water supply in Chester County by enabling us to update our river conservation plan and construct riparian buffers along our rivers,” Williams said. “Our communities’ health and well-being are dependent on the safeguarding of our water, and this money will help ensure the integrity of our watersheds and rivers.” The awards include: $60,000 to Chester County to prepare a countywide trail plan. $80,000 to the Community Chester County Commissioners Water Resource Authority to prepare an update to the 2002 River Conservation Plan for multiple watersheds in Chester County. $333,991 to the Stroud Water Research Center Inc. for the construction of approximately 60 acres of riparian forest buffers along waterways in the Lower Susquehanna River and Lower Delaware River watersheds in Chester, Berks, Lancaster, Montgomery and Lehigh counties. The work includes landowner outreach and engagement; buffer plantings and post-planting establishment; project sign and other related site improvements. The Community Conservation Partnership Program grants provide local Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 30 – A passionate advocate for the development of outdoor recreation and trails, state Rep. Joe Ciresi announced today that Limerick Township was awarded $250,000 to develop Limerick Community Park and Montgomery County $397,800 to extend the Schuylkill River Trail in Pottsgrove Township and Pottstown Borough. The Community Conservation Partnership Program grants are from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). “I’m glad to see that the vital work of community improvements will be possible thanks to this state investment in the 146 th District,” Ciresi said. “These grants will enhance the quality of life in our communities for residents and increase the economic potential of this area by making the possibility of living here even more attractive to potential residents.” Limerick Township has been awarded $250,000 for the development of Limerick Community Park. The funding will help construct softball fields, a pedestrian walkway, a parking area and stormwater management measures, install equipment with required safety surfacing and provide ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements. This funding award follows a $225,000 DCNR grant for improvements to Limerick Community Park, which Ciresi announced in September 2020. Montgomery County has been awarded $397,800 for the development Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 21 – State Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York, today announced two important sets of grants have been awarded to develop the area’s infrastructure and talent. The grants include a Keystone Communities Program grant of $ 12,500 to plan for the re-establishment of an Enterprise Zone in West York and North York boroughs and Spring Garden and West Manchester townships, and a competitive C areer and Technical Education Equipment Grant program award of $50,000 to the York County School of Technology from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to purchase new equipment aligned to training students in high-demand occupations. Hill-Evans said, “I was proud to support this grant application as this money will help economically develop an Enterprise Zone in West York and North York boroughs and Spring Garden and West Manchester townships. This money will bring economic opportunity and revitalization and strengthen the quality of life in these areas.” The Keystone Communities Program is designed to encourage the creation of partnerships between the public and private sectors to jointly support local initiatives such as the growth and stability of neighborhoods and communities, social and economic diversity, and a strong and secure quality of life. The program allows communities to tailor the assistance to meet the needs of their specific revitalization effort. Hill-Evans Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 21 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced today that competitive Career and Technical Education Equipment Grant Program awards were given in the amount of $50,000 to the Pottstown School District and $50,000 to Western Montgomery CTC from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to purchase new equipment aligned to training students in high-demand occupations . “I’m very glad that Montgomery County’s career and technical education programs are receiving this needed financial support to help our students get the critical skills and training they need to enter into meaningful, family-sustaining careers,” Ciresi said. “This is a win-win for the county as our students will have access to first-class equipment and experiences, which in turn will make Montgomery County even more attractive to companies seeking to locate to an area where there are highly skilled workers.” Each grant must be matched dollar for dollar from a local source, which could include local school funds or contributions from business and industry partners. Since 2015, the number of career and technical education students earning industry-recognized credentials has increased by 38.7 percent and the number of credentials earned by students enrolled in CTE programs has grown by 33.6 percent. Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 20 – A forceful advocate for economic development in the 146 th District, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, was instrumental in securing a Keystone Communities Program grant of $320,400 for renovations to the former PNC Bank building in Pottstown. Ciresi, who has successfully secured funding for other Pottstown redevelopment projects, praised the grant to renovate the former PNC bank building. “ The instrumental redevelopment of this 7,550-square-foot building, which has lain vacant for over 15 years in the middle of Pottstown’s downtown business district, will be a significant boost to the town’s ongoing revitalization,” Ciresi said. “With the return of this site to economically productive use, this redevelopment project will provide significant benefits for the borough and regional community and continue the momentum that Pottstown is experiencing.” The Keystone Communities Program is designed to encourage the creation of partnerships between the public and private sectors that jointly support local initiatives such as the growth and stability of neighborhoods and communities; social and economic diversity; and a strong and secure quality of life. The program allows communities to tailor the assistance to meet the needs of its specific revitalization effort. Since January 2015, the Wolf administration has Read more

DeLissio’s new office will be at 4001 Main St., Philadelphia, 19127. Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 14 – An advocate for the Pennsylvania tourism industry, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, applauded the Wolf Administration’s dedication of $17,086,197 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to kickstart the recovery of the tourism industry in Pennsylvania in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. “As a member of the House Tourism & Recreational Development Committee, I’ve been pushing for the state to invest in Pennsylvania’s tourism industry, as too many marketing opportunities were going to waste,” Ciresi said. “This money will provide opportunities to promote Pennsylvania’s destinations to diverse audiences, and so increase the numbers of people interested in visiting--and perhaps moving to--our beautiful state. This grant money will help the tourism industry build back better, supporting the wide range of jobs and businesses that benefit from tourism. I applaud Gov. Wolf’s decision to make this strategic investment in Pennsylvania’s future.” Pennsylvania’s travel and tourism industry supports over 490,000 jobs and generates $4.3 billion in annual tax revenue. Over 200 million people visit Pennsylvania each year, creating an economic impact of $46 billion. After consulting with tourism stakeholders across the state and colleagues around the nation, the Pennsylvania Tourism Office at the Department of Community and Economic Development will invest the $17,086,197 in the Read more