Ciresi named vice chair of Policy Committee

HARRISBURG, Jan. 12 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, is taking on added responsibility after the House Democratic Policy Committee held its reorganization meeting earlier today. Ciresi, who was recently elected to his second term representing the 146th Legislative District, was appointed to serve as a vice chair for the Policy Committee.

“I am looking forward to continuing to work with the Policy Committee, now as one of its vice chairs,” Ciresi said. “The committee’s policy agenda is one that will help us lead the way out of this pandemic and create a better, stronger economy for all Pennsylvanians. I look forward to working on these important issues – the work we were sent to Harrisburg to do – with my fellow committee members.”

The Policy Committee’s issue objectives for the 2021-22 session will include recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, creating jobs and delivering affordable training, economic fairness, community development, and education.

Policy chairman and state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, appointed Ciresi as one of four vice chairs, saying that with the diverse geographic locations across this state, this means the committee will have a voice in every corner of the state. They bring subject-matter expertise in business, education, local government, community and public service, Bizzarro said. “We will contend with unique logistical challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but I look forward to tackling them head on with our subcommittee chair and vice chairs,” he said.

“The committee’s objectives also align with what I’ve been working on in my first term,” Ciresi added. “We need to provide relief for our restaurants and small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, create jobs and support community revitalization, invest in public transportation and mass transit, and work to reform our education system. These are real issues that can deliver meaningful change to help our constituents.”

In his first term, Ciresi hosted Policy Committee hearings on the economic impact of the arts at the Steel River Playhouse in Pottstown, and on local government efficiency and shared services in the Capitol.