HARRISBURG, April 15 – A bill by state Rep. Joe Ciresi to create a pilot program to help fund the renovation of historic buildings across Pennsylvania passed the House today. Under H.B. 1573 , a two-year program would be administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development to help communities facing the challenges of updating and repurposing historic buildings, an expensive but worthwhile task in the commonwealth, said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “Pennsylvania is home to some of the country’s most historical and beautiful communities, but with them come the high costs of renovation of older buildings,” he said. “Many of these buildings lack accessibility and weren’t built to meet modern building codes. With this grant program we will support reinvestment in our downtowns, assist with community revitalization, preserve historic properties and neighborhood character, and create jobs.” Improvements would be evaluated based on their ability to facilitate income-generating use of the property, their contribution to economic and community revitalization, and historic preservation and commercial or recreational opportunities for the public. Specifically, the program would help 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. Additionally, grants could be Read more
“We’re always looking to improve the lives of seniors in Pennsylvania,” Shusterman said. “By encouraging communication between the Department of Health and nursing home staff, we hope that the exchange of ideas and information between these two groups will lead to a unified effort to provide the best senior care possible. I want to thank my colleagues for their support of this legislation, including my fellow state Representative Kristin Marcell for her co-sponsorship and effort in delivering this legislation.” Read more
HARRISBURG, April 10 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten’s bill to provide early intervention services to children born to mothers struggling with postpartum depression passed the Pennsylvania House today. House Bill 1593 would expand services to children from birth through two years with mothers diagnosed with or at high risk for postpartum depression, ensuring that these vulnerable children and their families have access to the support they need. Early intervention services can reduce a family’s sources of stress and encourage healthy relationships among children, families and caregivers. Otten, D-Chester, introduced the legislation with a co-prime sponsor, state Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., who chairs the PA House Children and Youth Committee. “Welcoming a new baby should be a joyous time for a family,” Otten said. “And yet the reality is that a new baby can also mean sleepless days and nights, isolation from friendships, anxiety about stretched finances or missed career opportunities, and physical, hormonal changes that trigger postpartum depression.” “There’s an abundance of research that shows that a child’s development in the earliest years of their life is significantly impacted by the tenor of their earliest formative relationships with their family and loved ones,” Bullock said. “By supporting children and mothers throughout this delicate time and Read more
State Reps. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester, and Tina Davis, D-Bucks, are excited to announce that H.B. 917 passed the state House of Representatives with full bipartisan support and sent it to the governor.The bill has seen unanimous, bipartisan support throughout the legislative process, from the House’s initial consideration of the bill last year, to its consideration in the Senate, and again with today’s unanimous concurrence in the House. Read more
“The bill is simple. If it’s AI, it has to say it’s AI,” Pielli said. “People deserve to know if what they’re looking at is real or not when making purchases. This disclosure will be clear and conspicuous in the same medium as the content generated to help consumers make better-informed and more secure purchases. We also hope to curb possible misinformation by malicious authors who knowingly or recklessly generate and spread this content with the goal of fooling the public.” Read more
HARRISBURG, April 10 – State House lawmakers today passed legislation introduced by Rep. Christina Sappey, D Chester, that would require insurers to cover telemedicine. “The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light just how critical telemedicine is in providing access to a variety of healthcare services, particularly in rural areas. Special needs families were able to receive therapies with consistency and many of us found mental health services available through telemedicine,” Sappey said. "Studies show that four out of five Americans have used telemedicine at some point in their life. Data also indicates that more than half of telemedicine visits are for mental health conditions—proving how vital telemedicine is in promoting mental health. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is one of a handful of states that do not require health insurers to cover telemedicine. This leaves Pennsylvanians at serious risk of not receiving care at all, and that’s unacceptable.” Under Sappey’s bill ( H.B. 1512 ) , a health insurer may not refuse to pay or reimburse a participating health care provider or a covered person for a medically necessary and appropriate covered healthcare service provided through telemedicine. Telemedicine does not include care provided solely through voicemail, email or instant messaging. “I am grateful to my House colleagues for voting to Read more
A 2016 law changed how municipal utilities were valued in an effort to encourage the privatization of struggling municipal systems. But the majority of acquisitions since then have been well-maintained water and sewer systems, and residents in those systems have been hit with exorbitant rate hikes. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 9 - On Monday, legislators and education leaders gathered in the Capitol’s Media Center to call for common sense cyber charter reform.?? In 2002, Pennsylvania’s Charter School Law, originally enacted in 1997, was amended to authorize the creation of cyber charter schools as an alternative to traditional public schools and brick-and-mortar charter schools. Since that time, no substantial updates have been made to address the significant issues that school districts and taxpayers face due to flaws in the law. Cyber charter schools are currently funded with the same formula used for brick-and-mortar charter schools, which creates inconsistencies and overpayments to cyber charter schools. This formula uses a school district’s expenses, not what the cyber charter school needs to provide its educational program, in determining what school districts will be required to pay for each one of its students who chooses to attend a cyber charter. The result is that each of the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania pay a different inflated tuition rate to cyber charter schools, despite cyber charters providing all of their students with the same education and not having the same level of expenditures as brick-and-mortar schools. At the press conference, Representative Joe Ciresi expressed why this reform is necessary, “The point of cyber charter reform is simple: making sure everyone plays by the same rules. Taxpayers expect and Read more
HARRISBURG, April 5 – State Rep. Dan Williams today announced that CarCharge LLC was awarded $969,304 to build a charging station at the Marriott in Coatesville (US-30, Exit 293) through the Round 1A of the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding. “This funding will help create an electric vehicle infrastructure in our region where it is most needed, especially along Route 30,” Williams said. “This charging station will be good for business as electric vehicles grow in popularity, good for drivers in terms of the location’s convenience and good for the environment as the station will have a solar carport over it that will generate electricity for charging vehicles.” The NEVI funds support the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of charging sites. The PA NEVI program is a reimbursement program and recipients are required to provide a minimum 20% match. Read more
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. According to Ciresi, gift cards have become an increasingly widespread way for scammers to defraud Pennsylvanians. Gift cards are easy to purchase, almost impossible to track and allow fraudsters to quickly move money on them, making them a popular payment method demanded by scammers. Sometimes fraudsters claim to be associated with government agencies, legitimate businesses, or even victims’ families, creating a sense of urgency to get their victims to buy gift cards as payment. Reports of gift card fraud to the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker increased by 50% in 2023. “Last year, the Federal Trade Commission reported that victims lost $217 million due to gift card fraud last year,” Ciresi said. “In response to constituents telling me heartbreaking stories of being defrauded of thousands of dollars as a result of these scams, I’ve introduced my bill to help protect Pennsylvania’s consumers from gift card fraud.” Ciresi’s legislation would require retailers selling gift cards to post clear signage warning consumers about gift card scams where gift cards are displayed and at the point of sale. Retailers would also be required to train their employees on how to Read more
HARRISBURG, Mar. 28 – State Rep. Dan Williams today announced nearly $1.66 million in state funding for the city of Coatesville, Atglen Borough and West Sadsbury Township through the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund, administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. “Building and maintaining a strong transportation system is key to our future economic growth and improving the quality of life in our district,” Williams said. “I am very pleased that $1.6 million in state funding has been awarded to projects which will improve safety and contribute to the redevelopment of Lincoln Highway in Coatesville and begin work on the western end of the Chester Valley Trail.” The Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure the commonwealth has a safe and reliable system of transportation. Funds may be used to develop, rehabilitate, and enhance transportation assets to existing communities, including streetscape, lighting, and sidewalk enhancement; implement pedestrian safety projects; improve the connectivity of transportation assets; and foster transit-oriented development. The following amounts have been awarded to assist in the completion of the following projects in the 74th District: $751,730 to complete Phase III construction of streetscape improvements on Lincoln Highway in the city of Coatesville. $907,000 to construct a connecting Read more
ROYERSFORD, March 26 – An effective advocate for economic development and outdoor recreation in Montgomery County, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced $335,000 in state funding has been awarded to Riverfront at Royersford LLC, to help construct a trail in Royersford Borough and Limerick Township. “The construction of a trail along the beautiful Schuylkill River will expand opportunities for outdoor recreation along our Schuylkill River waterfront,” Ciresi said. “The trail will be part of a proposed interconnected trail and sidewalk network connecting Limerick Township, the downtowns of Royersford and Spring City, and the Schuylkill River Trail, improving walkability and connectivity, and enhancing the quality of life in this area of Montgomery County. This state funding is a wise investment in Montgomery County’s future.” The money, from the Multimodal Transportation Fund approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, will be used to complete Phase II construction of an 8-foot-wide trail along the Schuylkill River in Royersford Borough and Limerick Township, accommodating both pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Riverfront at Royersford LLC previously received $330,000 to begin Phase 1 of the trail construction by the Commonwealth Financing Authority through the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program in 2021. Phase 1 of the trail planned for the construction of 1,740 linear feet ending just short of the Limerick Read more
Legislation requiring schools to consider installing silent panic alarms in classrooms that would be linked directly to law enforcement could provide another layer of protection for students and staff in educational settings, according to Pennsylvania lawmakers advocating for this safety feature. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 20 – State Rep. Patty Kim today was appointed chair of the House Insurance Committee by Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton. The Insurance Committee has jurisdiction over the state Department of Insurance, the State Workmen’s Insurance Board and the Underground Storage Indemnification Fund. The committee reviews bills that regulate home, auto and health insurance, as well as fraternal society group benefits. “It is an honor to serve in this new capacity,” said Kim, D-Dauphin/Cumberland. “The insurance sector is a vital part of every Pennsylvanian’s life, and I’ll continue to weigh in on matters related to it on behalf of my fellow citizens and constituents first. “Our legislative priorities show our commitment to better government and a better Pennsylvania, and I’m excited to bring that energy to the people. Being in the majority means that the committee will continue advancing legislation to help workers, tax and rate payers, families, seniors and children alike.” Kim is a former news anchor, reporter and Harrisburg city councilwoman who was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2012 and has been a leader in government reform and transparency. She was the first Asian American to serve as chair of a Pennsylvania House committee. She created and served as the first chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Asian Pacific American Caucus. She also is the Read more
HARRISBURG, March 20 – State Reps. Danielle Friel Otten and Aerion Abney have begun circulating House legislative sponsorship memos advancing the Shapiro administration’s bold new energy plan for Pennsylvania, which was announced last week . The legislators each introduced a core component of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s initiative: the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) and Pennsylvania Climate Emission Reduction (PACER) Program . PRESS would continue the successful elements of Pennsylvania’s forward thinking but outdated Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards while making them more inclusive -- adding nuclear power and next-generation technologies such as fusion, as well as incentivizing lower emissions for gas-fired power plants. It would require Pennsylvania to get 50% of its electricity from a diverse range of energy resources by 2035, including 35% from solar, wind, small modular reactors, and fusion; 10% from sources like large hydropower and battery storage; and 5% from natural gas and other alternative fuels. “Sustainable standards are a conversation that’s been underway since my first year in the legislature, and I’m extremely glad that a serious discussion has come to the forefront,” said Otten, D-Chester . “The collective attention on this issue is promising. As a lead sponsor on the governor’s proposed plan in the House, I feel well positioned to assure that Read more
State Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester, announced today that his bipartisan legislation crafted with Rep. Kristin Marcell, R-Bucks, to encourage Pennsylvania employers to contribute to employees’ PA 529 tuition savings accounts has passed the House of Representatives unanimously. Read more
“As a former Court Appointed Guardianship Attorney, I saw clients who lost their homes as a result of unpaid property taxes,” Pielli said. “Too often, these were individuals with cognitive impairment or those who were otherwise incapacitated and could not pay tax bills without assistance. Tragically, these same individuals sometimes had the financial means but were so impaired they were unable to keep up with payments. It is simply unfair to leave these people to try and pay these bills alone." Read more
HARRISBURG, March 15 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, today announced that the Lancaster School District has been awarded more than $1.83 million in grant funding though the Pennsylvania Department of Education to help create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments and to prevent and respond to acts of bullying, violence, and hate in schools. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 15 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi today announced that the Pottstown School District had received $1,057,482 in grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to help create safe, healthy and supportive learning environments and to prevent and respond to acts of bullying, violence and hate in schools. “You can’t succeed in an environment where you don’t feel supported or safe,” Ciresi said. “This funding will help the Pottstown School District ensure that its schools are safe and welcoming so kids can focus their energies on the thing they are supposed to do in school -- learn.” Through the federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Stronger Connections Grant, high-need local education agencies can use funding to promote the social, emotional, physical and mental well-being of students and staff; address family and community engagement; and promote equitable and inclusive policies and practices. A high-need LEA is defined as a school district or charter school that received ESEA Title IV, Part A funding in fiscal year 2022 and meets one or more of the following "high-need" criteria: a high rate of poverty, a lack of mental health supports available to students, high rates of violence and/or traumatic incidents in the school or community, and high rates of school exclusion. “I am very happy that the Shapiro Read more
STOWE, March 14 – Equipped with voice-activated features, plenty of maneuverability for wheelchairs, and small robots that can feed people and offer remote monitoring, a “SMART home” in West Pottsgrove Township opened its doors to state Reps. Joe Ciresi and Joe Webster, both D-Montgomery, this week for a tour of its facility. Joined by staff members from PA Department of Human Services and service provider KenCrest, Ciresi and Webster met with advocates and services providers for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities community to discuss how SMART homes can help more people with disabilities to live independently. “SMART homes help people with disabilities live independently during a time when there is a critical home care worker shortage,” Ciresi said. “Unfortunately, this technology can be cost-prohibitive. For example, a device that can assist with eating independently costs approximately $8,600, and under current Pennsylvania law, there is an individual lifetime cap of $10,000 for assistive technology purchases. That’s simply not enough money to help someone live independently. “We need to change the current law to make assistive living technology more affordable for Pennsylvanians with disabilities so they can live on their own during a time when there is a critical home care worker shortage,” he said. “Either through legislation or changes to administrative directives, we are looking to Read more
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