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House passes Ciresi bill to expand EV charging infrastructure in PA

(May 06, 2025)

HARRISBURG, May 6 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation ( H.B. 789 ) that would help create more EV charging stations throughout Pennsylvania, at no cost to the Pennsylvania taxpayer, passed the House today. “Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly common each year, with over three-million electric vehicles on the road nationwide in 2023 and projections anticipating that electric vehicles could account for a majority of total passenger car sales by the 2030s,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “As this trend continues, businesses are increasingly looking to provide access to EV charging at their locations, as a way of attracting customers or as a benefit to their employees. My legislation would connect the growing demand for electric vehicle charging infrastructure with a successful funding mechanism that is funded through private capital.” Introduced in a previous session as H.B. 1474 , which had previously passed in the House, the legislation would add electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects as an eligible project type under Pennsylvania’s Property-Assessed Clean Energy Program (C-PACE). C-PACE, which was created by Act 30 of 2018 , has facilitated more than $250 million in investments in energy efficiency, clean energy, conservation, and other projects by connecting property owners with long-term financing. The investments are funded entirely through private capital, so it would not impose any financial burden Read more

 

Hanbidge and Briggs legislation streamlining child custody determination factors passes House

(May 06, 2025)

Legislation introduced by state Reps. Liz Hanbidge and Tim Briggs, both D-Montgomery, to clarify Pennsylvania’s overly complex child custody process passed the House today. Read more

 

Pielli’s bill to protect children unanimously approved by PA House

(May 06, 2025)

“We tell our children not to trust strangers. We tell our children what they should do when a stranger approaches them. But we also tell our children that you CAN trust your teacher. You CAN trust a police officer,” Pielli said. “How can we allow adults who break that sacred trust to then benefit from institutional leniencies they do not deserve? This legislation, as amended, allowing for sentencing enhancements for a perpetrator in a position of authority, is a step in the right direction.” Read more

 

House Judiciary Committee approves legislation to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse

(May 06, 2025)

HARRISBURG, May 6 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, Majority, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, announced that today the committee voted to approve critical legislation introduced by state Rep. Nathan Davidson that would open a long-awaited path to justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. “These bills are about fairness, healing and restoring the rights of people who were silenced for far too long,” Briggs said. “We owe survivors the chance to be heard in a court of law, no matter how much time has passed.” The committee’s action followed a productive hearing held on Monday, where advocates and legal experts offered powerful testimony in support of the legislation. Their voices helped reinforce the urgent need for these long-overdue reforms. Both bills now advance to the full House for further consideration. H.B. 462 : This legislation would provide a statutory two-year window during which survivors of childhood sexual abuse could file previously time-barred civil claims. It also would waive sovereign and governmental immunity retroactively, allowing survivors to pursue justice against state and local agencies. H.B. 464 : This joint resolution would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to establish a two-year window for survivors to bring forward civil claims that were previously blocked due to expired statutes of limitations. These proposals follow Read more

 

Shusterman’s Equal Pay Bill approved by House

(May 05, 2025)

“To attract and keep our workforce, Pennsylvania must ensure we are competitive with our neighbors,” Shusterman said. “Currently, the pay gap in the Commonwealth trails not only behind the national average, but also behind five of our six neighboring states. The pay gap leads to less income for women to support their families. It also means women experience higher rates of poverty, lower financial earnings over a lifetime, and less money saved for retirement than their male colleagues. It’s past time that our Commonwealth ensures all Pennsylvania workers receive equal pay for equal work.” Read more

 

Pielli’s bill to incentivize National Guard enlistment unanimously passes House

(May 05, 2025)

“Over a decade ago, Pennsylvania launched the Medical Officer and Health Officer Incentive Program to provide additional financial incentives for skilled medical professionals to enlist in the Pennsylvania National Guard,” Pielli said. “In the time since Act 78 of 2014, this program has proven to be a meaningful tool, bringing highly qualified health professionals into our forces. Read more

 

Kazeem to hold information session on May 6 about healthcare, employment options in the wake of Crozer Health’s closure

(May 02, 2025)

CHESTER, May 2 – State Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, will hold an information session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 6 at Widener University, 1 University Place, Chester regarding healthcare, transportation and employment options for residents of the 159th Legislative District in the wake of Crozer Health’s closure. “The communities of Delaware County have lost a mainstay of their health care, and some their means of employment, with the closure of Crozer Health on May 2,” Kazeem said. “As I know that many residents are scared and confused about what options are now available to them, I’m offering this information session to provide them with critical information about different local health system options and how to navigate them, how to reach them via local transportation systems, as well as employment options for job seekers and insurance options provided by the state.” For more details, residents should call Kazeem’s district office at 610-876-6420 or by email at RepKazeem@pahouse.net . Read more

 

Ciresi introduces legislation to refocus Pennsylvania’s cyber charter school law on students and taxpayers

(May 02, 2025)

HARRISBURG, May 2 – A long-time champion for accountability in cyber charter schools, state Rep. Joe Ciresi this week introduced legislation that would modernize Pennsylvania’s charter school law to save taxpayers’ money, require more openness and transparency, and ensure taxpayer-funded tuition payments to cyber charter schools are focused on educating students. “Auditor General Timothy DeFoor is the third auditor general who has called for reform of cyber charter schools, and it is long past time that the legislature made cyber charter schools as accountable as any entity receiving public funds," Ciresi said. “It’s unacceptable that the public must bear the costs of millions of taxpayer dollars being spent on handing out gift cards to students, growing fund balances, sponsoring professional sports teams, and funding advertising to promote schools that rank among the lowest in the state. My legislation modernizes our out-of-date and broken cyber charter school law, while setting new rules to address this type of spending that doesn’t help educate our students but continues to raise property taxes throughout the commonwealth." In 2015, the General Assembly passed a law to create an education funding formula based on actual student enrollment and cost factors to address an outdated, flawed and inequitable system of funding school districts. However, the bill did not address cyber charter schools, which continue to Read more

 

Crozer closure crisis could catalyze new state oversight of hospitals; The system’s sudden shuttering, which leaves Delaware County without a trauma center, is giving new momentum to long-stalled legislation

(Apr 30, 2025)

The push for greater state involvement comes after state Rep. Lisa Borowski, who represents her native Delaware County, said she plans to reintroduce a bill she sponsored in a previous session – which passed in the House, but languished thereafter – that would mandate review of major proposed hospital transactions by the state Attorney General’s office. Read more

 

Delco delegation asks attorney general to intervene in Crozer Health closure

(Apr 29, 2025)

The 15 members of the Delaware County state legislative delegation have asked Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday to launch a criminal investigation into Prospect Medical Holdings’ owners and petition a bankruptcy judge to get some of the $40 million back while extending ambulance services. Read more

 

Ciresi reintroduces legislation to bolster film production in PA

(Apr 28, 2025)

HARRISBURG, April 28 – A longtime advocate of making Pennsylvania attractive to film productions, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, has reintroduced his legislation, House Bill 1317, to expand the Film Production Tax Credit from $100 million to $125 million to make Pennsylvania more competitive as a site of potential film projects. “The film and TV industries have been huge economic engines for Pennsylvania,” Ciresi said. “Not only do they directly employ tens of thousands of workers and support countless local businesses, but the movies and TV shows filmed here market our state’s cities, small towns and countryside to millions of people across the globe, becoming key drivers for tourism, generating significant revenue and creating long-term jobs for many years after a film’s release.” According to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, since the inception of Pennsylvania’s Film Production Tax Credit in 2007, through the end of FY 2023-24, a total of 592 projects have been approved for tax credits – which in turn have injected over $4 billion in direct expenditures into the state’s economy. Projects across the state that have benefited from the Film Production Tax Credit include “Creed” (Philadelphia, Delaware), “Concussion” (Allegheny), “Southpaw” (Indiana, Washington), “Unstoppable” (Allegheny, Blair, Beaver, Cameron, Centre, Read more

 

PA House Communications & Technology Committee unanimously approves measure calling on Congress to protect creative sector workers against displacement by AI

(Apr 24, 2025)

HARRISBURG, April 24 –The newly formed PA House Communications & Technology Committee, in its first voting meeting today, unanimously approved a resolution (H.R. 81) that would call on Congress to amend the copyright law to clarify that works generated by machine are not copyrightable, according to the committee’s majority chair, state Rep. Joe Ciresi. The resolution, sponsored by state Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, would urge the U.S. Congress to provide protections for workers in the creative sector against displacement by artificial intelligence, or AI, technology. This includes making changes to U.S. copyright law to emphasize the importance of human authorship and to act against “data scraping,” or feeding copyrighted data into AI programs for training purposes without the author’s or creator’s permission. “Precious little has been done to address the myriad issues raised by the rapid development and adoption of a technology that is radically altering our society, our daily lives,” Howard said. “With every passing day, more companies are building businesses upon AI generated content, and they desperately need clarification regarding rights and potential liabilities.” “This was a great first meeting where we addressed a critical issue that will be a focus of the committee’s work: the institution of responsible protections for workers and consumers from AI while still encouraging Read more

 

Munroe bill prohibiting the use of toxic PFAS in firefighting foam advances from committee with unanimous support

(Apr 24, 2025)

House Bill1261 would prohibit the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of firefighting foam that contains toxic PFAS chemicals. PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are manmade “forever chemicals” that have been linked to a wide range of serious health issues, including cancer. Read more

 

Munroe resolution honoring fallen police officers adopted by Pa. House

(Apr 24, 2025)

House Resolution 176 honors Pennsylvania law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2024 and 2025. Munroe, a Navy veteran, retired police officer and former firefighter, sponsored the resolution in formal recognition of the men and women who lost their lives in pursuit of keeping their communities safe. Read more

 

Young bill to streamline energy efficiency plans passed in PA House

(Apr 24, 2025)

The PA House passed legislation today sponsored by state Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, that would allow for energy efficiency plans for electric distribution companies such as PECO or Penelec to be approved regardless of whether they use mechanical insulation. Read more

 

Ciresi measure to replace state song adopted by PA House

(Apr 23, 2025)

HARRISBURG, April 23 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s resolution to study replacing the state song was adopted with bipartisan support Tuesday by the PA House of Representatives. “A compelling state song drives tourism,” Ciresi said. “Our state song should extoll all the things that make Pennsylvania great in a catchy, memorable way. “Think about it: Ray Charles singing Georgia is always on his mind, John Denver about West Virgina’s country roads and the millions of songs extolling New York. These songs have lodged themselves in the public’s mind about these states. And Pennsylvania? We have an utterly forgettable song that does not represent the dynamic state we are living in. With the 250th anniversary of the United States coming up in 2026, the Keystone State of our country should have a song worth singing, that represents who we are as a people.” In 1990, the state legislature adopted the current state song, “Pennsylvania” by Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner. State law established 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 Read more

 

Malagari applauds $743,866 in grants to grow healthcare workforce

(Apr 18, 2025)

“This investment will not only strengthen the healthcare workforce that serves our community but also give opportunities to high school graduates who need to work while advancing their education,” Malagari said. “Medical assistants and pharmacy technicians are an essential part of a strong healthcare system, and a strong healthcare system is necessary for a community to thrive. I’m proud to see these funds make their way to Montgomery County and our neighbors.” Read more

 

Main Line business leaders say proposed SEPTA cuts would be ‘absolutely devastating’

(Apr 14, 2025)

Borowski's district includes six stops along the Paoli/Thorndale line. Wayne will host the 2026 PGA Championship at the Aronimink Golf Club. Borowski is concerned SEPTA’s funding woes will prevent it from providing special service for major events. Read more

 

Warren supports transit funding in light of proposed SEPTA service cuts

(Apr 11, 2025)

LOWER MAKEFIELD, April 11 – State Rep. Perry Warren, D-Bucks today expressed his support for continued state funding for public transit. “Without restored state public transit funding, SEPTA’s budget would include significant fare increases and reductions in service -- cuts that would directly impact the West Trenton Regional Rail Line and the broader region,” Warren said. “Public transportation connects our communities, supports our economy, and helps reduce traffic and pollution,” Warren said. “When service is cut, it affects how people get to work, school, and vital appointments -- it impacts everyday lives.” Warren emphasized that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has repeatedly taken steps to support transit funding, including SEPTA. “I voted for, and the House passed, legislation to fund SEPTA and other mass transit systems three times over the past year,” Warren said. “The House Democratic Caucus is ready to do the right thing again, and I’m hopeful the Senate will join us in delivering the support our communities need.” Without enhanced state funding, SEPTA service cuts would include reducing service on the West Trenton Line, which serves Yardley Station -- a station that received a $5 million renovation, completed in 2018. “I was there for the dedication and ribbon cutting,” Read more

 

Prokopiak expresses concern about proposed SEPTA service cuts

(Apr 10, 2025)

LEVITTOWN, April 10 – State Rep. Jim Prokopiak today strongly condemned SEPTA's newly released fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, which includes the elimination of the Trenton Regional Rail Line — a profitable service that connects Lower Bucks County residents to Philadelphia and New Jersey and includes the recently modernized Levittown-Tullytown Station. SEPTA's proposal also includes the elimination of bus lines 127 and 128 within Prokopiak's district. "These cuts are a direct consequence of inaction in the Pennsylvania State Senate," Prokopiak said. "House Democrats are committed to working to securing a future where public transit is expanded, not gutted. The ball is now in the Senate's court." Prokopiak joins Governor Josh Shapiro and House Democratic leaders in calling on the Pennsylvania Senate to support the governor's statewide public transit funding plan — legislation that the House has already passed three times and intends to pass again next month. "Public transportation is a public good — and it's time the legislature treats it that way. We need long-term, sustainable funding for SEPTA and transit systems across the state, not a death spiral of service cuts and fare hikes. If SEPTA's goal is to attract new riders, eliminating service is the absolute wrong way to do it," Prokopiak said. "The elimination Read more

 

House passes Ciresi bill to expand EV charging infrastructure in PA
May 06, 2025

Hanbidge and Briggs legislation streamlining child custody determination factors passes House
May 06, 2025

Pielli’s bill to protect children unanimously approved by PA House
May 06, 2025

House Judiciary Committee approves legislation to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse
May 06, 2025

Shusterman’s Equal Pay Bill approved by House
May 05, 2025

Pielli’s bill to incentivize National Guard enlistment unanimously passes House
May 05, 2025

Kazeem to hold information session on May 6 about healthcare, employment options in the wake of Crozer Health’s closure
May 02, 2025

Ciresi introduces legislation to refocus Pennsylvania’s cyber charter school law on students and taxpayers
May 02, 2025

Crozer closure crisis could catalyze new state oversight of hospitals; The system’s sudden shuttering, which leaves Delaware County without a trauma center, is giving new momentum to long-stalled legislation
Apr 30, 2025

Delco delegation asks attorney general to intervene in Crozer Health closure
Apr 29, 2025

Ciresi reintroduces legislation to bolster film production in PA
Apr 28, 2025

PA House Communications & Technology Committee unanimously approves measure calling on Congress to protect creative sector workers against displacement by AI
Apr 24, 2025

Munroe bill prohibiting the use of toxic PFAS in firefighting foam advances from committee with unanimous support
Apr 24, 2025

Munroe resolution honoring fallen police officers adopted by Pa. House
Apr 24, 2025

Young bill to streamline energy efficiency plans passed in PA House
Apr 24, 2025

Ciresi measure to replace state song adopted by PA House
Apr 23, 2025

Malagari applauds $743,866 in grants to grow healthcare workforce
Apr 18, 2025

Main Line business leaders say proposed SEPTA cuts would be ‘absolutely devastating’
Apr 14, 2025

Warren supports transit funding in light of proposed SEPTA service cuts
Apr 11, 2025

Prokopiak expresses concern about proposed SEPTA service cuts
Apr 10, 2025