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. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 23 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s bill that will make it easier for relatives to claim a deceased person’s property being held by the state has been signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro as Act 65 of 2024. “The process of claiming unclaimed property as an heir can be complicated, expensive and burdensome – so much so that many would rather give up than continue with the process, especially if the sum is small,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “Act 65 will slice through the red tape and simplify the current process of claiming unclaimed funds to help the people of Pennsylvania get what’s rightfully theirs.” According to Ciresi, the Pennsylvania Treasury holds some $4 billion in unclaimed property, such as uncashed checks, lost stocks or bonds, or closed bank accounts. Due to an inconsistency in inheritance law, some categories of relatives have had a harder time legitimately claiming that property on behalf of their deceased relatives. Surviving spouses, children, parents and siblings could file for unclaimed property using a notarized sworn relationship affidavit, saving them the effort and expense of having to open or re-open the deceased’s estate. But grandchildren, nephews, nieces and others could not claim by affidavit even if they are the closest surviving relative. Act 65 will allow grandchildren and their descendants, nieces and nephews and their descendants, and grandparents of the deceased Read more
HARRISBURG, July 18 – At state Rep. Joe Ciresi’s request, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has agreed to hold two hearings in Limerick Township on the proposed $126.7 million rate hike for Aqua Pennsylvania Inc and Aqua Pennsylvania Wastewater Inc. on Monday, Aug. 12 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Spring-Ford Area High School (Auditorium), 350 S. Lewis Road, Royersford 19468. Aqua Water proposes to increase its annual operating revenues for water services by approximately $112 million (18.7%). Aqua Wastewater seeks a corresponding increase in its annual operating revenues for wastewater services by $14.6 million (20.1%). In total, the proposed rate increase requests would increase the company’s total annual operating revenues by approximately $126.7 million. “The time is now to act and have our voices heard about how these proposed skyrocketing rate hikes will have a devastating impact on our monthly household budgets, particularly on our seniors who live on a fixed income,” Ciresi said. “I am grateful that the PUC has scheduled two hearings in Limerick Township, where wastewater rates already doubled just a few years ago, so as many of our residents as possible can share how these outrageous rate increases will affect their quality of life.” Although Aqua made the request to the PUC saying the rate increase was necessary to pay for infrastructure investments, Ciresi pointed out that customers’ bills already Read more
HARRISBURG, July 22 – Pottstown School District was awarded a $17,200 workforce grant from the PA Department of Education to develop a new generation of special education teachers, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced today. “Kids in special education classes need teachers who are specially trained to understand their unique needs and provide the necessary support so they can flourish intellectually, socially and emotionally in school,” Ciresi said. “Especially important in light of a statewide teacher shortage, this money will create new learning opportunities for Pottstown School District students. By raising awareness of career paths and job opportunities in special education, this will help recruit the teachers needed to provide a top-notch education for all students.” The Developing Future Special Educator grants will help local education agencies design and implement student-focused experiential learning opportunities for supporting students with disabilities and learning about career opportunities in the field of special education. The program builds on the department’s efforts to develop a teacher pipeline and retention program to guarantee that learners of all abilities across the state are guaranteed access to a top-notch education for years to come. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 17 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, will host multiple events in July and August for residents to apply for the state’s and Pottstown School District’s property tax and rent rebate programs. The state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program provides rebates of up to $1,000 on rent or property taxes paid by eligible applicants. Residents who are 65 or older, widows or widowers 50 or older, and residents with disabilities 18 and older with a household income of $45,000 or less (counting only half of Social Security) are eligible to apply. Ciresi noted that income limits are now higher for the program, so residents may be eligible this year even if they weren’t in previous years. Ciresi’s events will also highlight the new Pottstown School District’s rebate program that is available to all qualifying Pottstown Borough residents who receive the state Property Tax/Rent Rebate. Residents can apply for this local rebate program after receiving their rebate from the state. “For people on fixed incomes like our seniors, property taxes or rent payments can be a hardship,” Ciresi said. “That’s why I am very glad to support the state’s important rebate program and help raise awareness of the Pottstown School District’s new rebate program among residents. With our upcoming PTRR events, our goal is to help people understand if they qualify for the state and PSD rebates and how to Read more
State Rep. Joe Ciresi (D-Montgomery) will host multiple events in July and August for Pottstown residents to apply for the state and school district Property Tax/Rent Rebate programs. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 11 – After his vote to approve the state budget tonight, state Rep. Joe Ciresi highlighted its progress in delivering historic education funding and investing in Pennsylvanians without raising taxes as the reasons for his support. Pennsylvania’s 2024-25 budget includes $1.3 billion in funding for public schools statewide, including reforms to the state’s cyber charter school law to require transparency in advertising and reducing special education overpayments by better aligning tuition to the real cost of educating students. Ciresi had proposed cyber charter reforms in his H.B. 1422, which passed the House with bipartisan support last year. “This budget delivers historic progress for public education, investing more than a billion new dollars in our schools and relieving overburdened property taxpayers,” Ciresi said. “Even though we have more work to do, we’ve also taken an important step for the first time in reforming our broken charter school law by ensuring transparency in cyber charter school advertising, providing relief to school districts paying for mandatory charter school costs, and returning $60 million each year back to the taxpayers. Our successes in delivering more funding for local schools has given them more resources for students and let them rely less on property taxes, and I look forward to seeing that continue with this budget.” Locally, the budget increases funding for Montgomery Read more
HARRISBURG, July 10 – An omnibus transportation bill (HB 2301) including language from a bill introduced by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, to waive vehicle title and registration fees for veterans who were captured, injured or received the Congressional Medal of Honor while serving has been sent to the governor’s desk. The proposal had been previously introduced by Ciresi as a standalone bill (HB 105), which passed the House unanimously in April. With its inclusion in and the passage of HB 2301, it is now on its way to be signed into law. “When veterans return home, the impact of their traumatic experiences are further compounded by financial hurdles such as relocation, finding new homes, applying for jobs and registering their vehicles,” Ciresi said. “These heroes deserve our compassion and gratitude, and that’s why I introduced this legislation to help relieve some of the pressure by waiving vehicle registration fees. By permanently removing registration fees for veterans who were injured, captured, or received our highest military decoration, we would show our permanent appreciation for their sacrifices and service.” Currently, recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, seriously injured veterans, and former POWs pay a $10 vehicle registration processing fee. Under the recently passed legislation, this fee will be removed, and they will no longer be subject to titling fees. For recipients of the Purple Heart, Read more
HARRISBURG, July 9 – Bipartisan legislation ( H.B. 1526 ) introduced by state Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Kristin Marcell, R-Bucks, which would allow Intermediate Units to own facilities for instructional space passed the state House today. IUs are regional educational service agencies created by the legislature in 1970. IUs provide high-quality programs to K-12 public school districts and non-public/private schools. Intermediate units also serve as liaisons between school districts and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Pennsylvania’s 29 intermediate units provide special education, professional development, and technical assistance services to school districts, charter schools and private schools. Every year, more than 175,000 students and 50,000 educators receive services and training from IUs, meeting a variety of needs for students and school districts. Currently, IUs are only permitted to own office space and warehouse facilities, a limitation that prohibits them from owning facilities used for instructional space; a limitation that does not apply to school districts, area career and technical schools, or charter schools. Many IUs operate classrooms and other instructional spaces as providers of important special education, pre-school programs and other educational services. All these instructional facilities must be leased, burdening IUs with rental costs that sometimes greatly exceed what it would cost the IU to purchase and own the Read more
HARRISBURG, July 2 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s bill that protects a deceased person’s family or estate from being charged early termination fees when canceling certain service contracts and vehicle leases was signed into law last Friday as Act 29 of 2024. “Death comes with many burdens for the survivors, but one of them shouldn’t be termination fees,” Ciresi said. “It’s hard enough to lose a family member, but it is just salt in the wound for a grieving relative to have to pay an early termination fee because the customer has died. And it is simply gross that companies profit off a person’s death through these fees. My legislation prohibits cable, phone, telecommunications, utility, and other companies from imposing early termination fees on a recently deceased person’s family for services that would no longer be used.” Act 29 requires that written notice along with a copy of a death certificate be provided to end such leases or contracts without financial penalty. Ciresi has championed the legislation in previous sessions. This session, the bill had 24 co-sponsors, including both Democrats and Republicans. Ciresi said he was grateful to his colleagues for their support of this bill to provide additional protections for consumers. “Act 29 is going to help many, many Pennsylvania families during their time of grief by removing one less hassle as they settle their loved one’s Read more
HARRISBURG, June 26 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s bill that will protect a deceased person’s family or estate from being charged early termination fees when canceling certain service contracts and vehicle leases passed the PA Senate today and is now headed to the governor’s desk. “Death shouldn’t come with fees, and companies shouldn’t be making money off a customer’s death.” Ciresi said. “It’s hard enough to lose a family member, but it is just salt in the wound for a grieving relative to have to pay an early termination fee because the customer has died. My legislation, which will hopefully become law soon, would prohibit cable, phone, telecommunications, utility, and other companies from imposing early termination fees on a recently deceased person’s family for services that would no longer be used.” Once signed into law, bill will require that written notice along with a copy of a death certificate be provided to end such leases or contracts without financial penalty. Ciresi has championed the legislation in previous sessions. This session, the bill had 24 co-sponsors, including both Democrats and Republicans. Ciresi said he was grateful to his colleagues for their support of this bill to provide additional protections for consumers. “This legislation will help Pennsylvania families by removing one less hassle during their time of grief as they try to settle their loved Read more
HARRISBURG, June 20 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has scheduled an additional in-person public input hearing in Montgomery County that he had requested so more PECO Energy Company customers can offer input on the company’s proposed rate increases for electric and natural gas distribution services. The Limerick Township in-person hearing has been scheduled for: Thursday, June 27 – Limerick Township, Montgomery County Hearing starts at 6 p.m. Limerick Township Building 646 W. Ridge Pike Limerick, PA 19468 If the rate increase request is fully approved, the total monthly bill for a residential electric customer using 700 kWh would increase $16.67 from $135.85 to $152.52 (12.3%) in 2025 and by an additional $2.70 in 2026. For natural gas customers, the proposed increase would result in an increase from $97.98 to $114.13 per month (16.5%) for customers using Ccf per month. The increases would generate an additional $464 million, including a one-time credit of $64 million that would reduce the increase for 2025 from electric rates and $111 million from natural gas rates. In April 2024, the PUC voted to suspend and investigate proposed rate increases by PECO Energy Company for both electric and natural gas distribution services. The hearing in Limerick will be part of their investigation into the impact of the rate hikes. “I am very glad that the PUC in its role as a Read more
HARRISBURG, June 18 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi on Thursday presented a $36,000 state grant to Sanatoga Fire Co. in Lower Pottsgrove Township. The Department of Community and Economic Development grant will help them pay for a new compressor for their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) station. “I’m proud to have helped the Sanatoga Fire Company find state funding for their compressor,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “The award will support the important work of the company and its members, whose dedication to our community provides us peace of mind and protection. This state investment will ensure modern equipment needed to continue the high-quality emergency services we are fortunate to rely on.” “We are thrilled to announce that last week we received a $36,000 grant from the state of Pennsylvania, via Rep. Joe Ciresi, for the replacement of our compressor to fill our SCBA cylinders – which was purchased and well used over 10 years ago and is at the end of its life cycle,” Sanatoga Fire Co. wrote on its Facebook Page . “This grant takes a huge financial burden off of us, and allows us to allocate those funds to other upgrades and projects around the station. We sincerely thank Rep. Joe Ciresi for his continued support of emergency services and volunteer fire companies in his district.” Read more
High-level University of the Arts administrators tried to halt the university’s abrupt June closure, but were stonewalled and frozen out, one said Monday at a state hearing on the sudden shutdown. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 14 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced $1.58 million in PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund awards for affordable housing and homelessness prevention projects in his legislative district. “I am very glad that these deserving projects have been funded in this round of PHARE grants,” Ciresi said. “Housing affordability is a major issue and a struggle for many people in our area. Everyone needs safe and secure housing in order to thrive. I believe this funding will help strengthen the social net in our communities, build strong families, and set individuals on the way to financial success.” $80,000 Access Services Recovery Oriented Rapid Rehousing Access Services will use funds to support five recovery orientated rapid rehousing units. These units will be targeted to individuals exiting substance abuse recovery settings or street homeless individuals struggling to maintain sobriety due to homelessness. $125,000 College Student Basic Needs Program Affordable Housing Scholarship Fund – TriCounty Community Network on behalf of the College Student Basic Needs Program The College Student Basic Needs Program will use the funds to assist under-resourced college students experiencing housing and food insecurity to stay in school, succeed academically, graduate and obtain better paying employment. One program provides housing scholarships for rental assistance to avoid Read more
ROYERSFORD, June 7 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi today spoke against the negative impact of Aqua Pennsylvania’s recent proposed wastewater rate hike on Limerick Township ratepayers and advocated for legislation that would require public hearings and clearer language on rate increases in public notifications for the sake of transparency and fairness. “Aqua Pennsylvania is proposing a 19% rate increase in Limerick Township following the near doubling of rates in the township less than three years ago,” Ciresi said. “If the rate increase is approved by the Pennsylvania Utilities Commission, customers would see a significant bill increase at a time when they’re already struggling.” The most recent hike is proposed from $78 to $93 for 3,870 gallons per month. This comes less than three years after 5,000 households in Limerick Township saw a near 100% increase in wastewater rates. Ciresi’s remarks also highlighted the dangers of privatization, as Aqua Pennsylvania will be raising rates in one district to make capital improvements in another district. He drew parallels between the rate hikes and the satirical plot of the Tony winning Musical Urinetown, in which people are faced with wastewater rates that are so high, using the bathroom becomes a privilege. “The sobering truth is that without better safeguards in place, privatizing something as essential as water is sending us down a Read more
Let’s get the dirty little secret out right now: Cyber Charter Schools – all Charter Schools, in fact – are paid for with your money. Those property tax bills you pay to your local school district? Parents who choose to send their kids to Cyber Charter Schools get that money for the tuition. All those fancy commercials you see? You’re paying for it. All those ads at sports stadiums you see? You’re paying for it. All those educational trips to theme parks and gift cards for parents you see? You’re paying for it. All those mascots and RVs and giveaways you see at public events? You’re paying for it. Just this week a “non-profit” cyber charter school invited lawmakers to join them for an end-of-the-year celebration at – yes – trampoline parks (about $30 per kid per day admission) all over the state and record videos for the schools. You’re paying for all of it. But there’s something you’re not seeing when it comes to where your money is going when it goes to Cyber Charter Schools. In the last few years, the four biggest Cyber Charter Schools have been padding their bank accounts from just over a half-million dollars to just under a half-*billion* dollars. What’s concerning is a lot of that increase is related to the cybers purchasing buildings and land -- which shouldn’t be a priority for Read more
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