HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, reacted to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2026-27 budget unveiled Tuesday before a joint session of the General Assembly. “As Majority Chair of the House Communications & Technology Committee, I was very impressed and pleased to hear the Governor’s plan to position Pennsylvania as a leader in the race for AI supremacy in a way that puts Pennsylvanians first and protects our environment. The Governor is clear about setting strong guardrails and protections, especially for the most vulnerable users, reinforcing the critical role of human judgement in the operation of AI, and expanding digital and AI literacy in the commonwealth. I look forward to our committee’s important work on these issues in the months ahead. “The budget will continue to make historic investments in our schools, with $8.31 billion (a $50 million increase) for Basic Education Funding, $1.58 billion (a $50 million increase) for Special Education Funding and $1.95 billion (a $565 million increase) to fulfill the court-mandated third installment to close the funding gap between wealthy and underfunded districts. “As a longtime advocate of cyber charter reform, I was pleased to hear that the necessary reforms we still need to make, which will save school districts and taxpayers another $75 million each year, remains a priority. This would build on the $178 million in estimated savings from the 2025-2026 Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – The Pennsylvania House Communications and Technology Committee today advanced two bills aimed at supporting the development of local journalism across the commonwealth. “For the past 20 years, we’ve seen a troubling decline in the number of local newspapers and reporters covering important community issues,” said state Rep. Joseph Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “Thousands of newspapers have closed, and the number of newsroom employees has dropped by more than half. Local journalism in Pennsylvania needs support. The first weeks of 2026 underscore the urgency: the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced it will shut down, the Clinton County Record ceased publication, and the LNP Media Group in Lancaster, along with Lehigh Valley Public Media, announced significant layoffs. “The decline in local news reporting is having a devastating impact on our democracy,” Ciresi added. “If residents don’t know what’s happening in their towns and cities, how can they understand what issues need attention or hold leaders accountable? An informed electorate is the foundation of an engaged one.” Ciresi noted that the proposed bills aim to reduce news deserts by placing journalists in communities where they are needed most, preserving a strong local media environment across Pennsylvania. Introduced by state Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., the legislative package addresses the growing shortage of Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, to strengthen penalties for swatting incidents targeting school entities and institutions of higher education passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today and now heads to the Senate for further consideration. House Bill 1935 would increase penalties for anyone convicted of making fake emergency reports—commonly known as “swatting”—that target school entities and institutions of higher education. Specifically, the bill would require the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to provide for a sentencing enhancement in cases involving a terroristic threat against a school entity or an institution of higher education. It also allows judges to order restitution to cover the cost of emergency responses, supplies, equipment and overtime pay for first responders and affected employees. “Swatting is not a prank — it’s a dangerous and costly crime that puts lives at risk, wastes valuable resources, and causes real trauma,” Briggs said. “We saw this firsthand when a false report of an active shooter at Villanova University last year led to a massive police response. Dozens of public schools, colleges and universities across Pennsylvania have faced these types of threats, and it’s time to send a clear message that there will be serious consequences.” In August 2025, Villanova Read more

Legislation would set energy efficiency requirements for 15 appliances sold in PA, predicted to reduce climate pollution by more than 6 million tons, save consumers over $7.7 billion Read more

CHESTER, Jan. 23 –State Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, announced today that Conrail had been awarded $1.7 million in state grants for rail freight improvements to its Stoney Creek Yard in Chester. “This state funding will increase our region’s identity as a critical freight connector in the Northeast and will create and sustain family-sustaining jobs in our district,” Kazeem said. “This strategic infrastructure investment will energize our own local economy’s growth for a long time to come.” The funding will be used to replace 11 turnouts within Stoney Creek Yard and includes replacements with steel timbers. The Conrail project was one of 30 projects selected to receive Rail Transportation Assistance Program and Rail Freight Assistance Program funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. According to PennDOT, Pennsylvania is the only state with a dedicated rail freight grant program in the country. Read more

YEADON, Jan. 22 – Just weeks before Gov. Josh Shapiro unveils his 2026-27 budget proposal, state lawmakers and school officials gathered today at the William Penn School District’s Penn Wood Ninth Grade Academy to highlight historic investments made in the district since 2023. Read more

HARRISBURG, Jan. 22 – State Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, today announced that nearly $2.8 million in state funding was approved for infrastructure projects in the 159th Legislative District. “I am proud to advocate in Harrisburg for state funding that will make our communities safer and healthier for all,” Kazeem said. “Thanks to this funding, the quality of life in our communities will improve. Pedestrians and motorists will both benefit from pedestrian safety, roadway and streetscape enhancements, and all residents will have peace of mind knowing their drinking water is healthy thanks to significant infrastructure improvements.” Funding from the Multimodal Transportation Fund includes: $750,000 to the City of Chester to construct a multi-use trail on the south side of W. 2nd Street (Route 291) from Highland Avenue to Norris Street located in Chester City. $71,857 to Everest PACE Center Inc. for pedestrian safety improvements at Silvercare Senior Housing, located in the City of Chester. $600,000 to Upper Chichester Township to execute Phase 4 of the roadway and streetscape improvements on Chichester Avenue in the township. Funding from the Small Water and Sewer Program includes: $275,000 to Upper Chichester Township to execute Phase I of the Boothwyn Town Center storm sewer infrastructure project. $452,653 to the Chester Economic Development Authority for the Parker Manor Trail Read more

HARRISBURG, Jan. 21 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, announced that $2.9 million has been awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority to local transportation and sewer projects to improve public safety and quality of life in the 185th Legislative District. Read more

ROYERSFORD, Jan. 20 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced that over $1.3 million in state funding was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority for infrastructure projects in the 146th Legislative District. “As our communities’ advocate in Harrisburg, I worked with the Shapiro administration and the CFA to explain how these grants would enable our municipalities to make critical improvements on the roads we travel and the streets we walk that otherwise might not be possible,” Ciresi said. “I am very pleased that we’ve also received funding to improve our water infrastructure without raising local taxes.” Funding from the Multimodal Transportation Fund includes: $550,000 to Limerick Township for Phase 2 of improving Lightcap Road. $139,025 to Royersford Borough for streetscape improvements along Main Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenue Funding from the Small Water and Sewer Program includes: $190,283 to North Coventry Water Authority for its Riverside Drive water main relocation project $424,589 to Pottstown Borough Authority for Phase 3 of its lead service replacement project The grants were approved Tuesday by the Commonwealth Financing Authority from the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund and Small Water and Sewer program . Read more

State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, today announced that nearly $3.5 million in state grants has been awarded for 10 projects in the 165th Legislative District. Read more