Featured News

Ciresi introduces legislation to prevent gift card scams

Funding & legislative updates, plus latest news on U.S. 422

(Aug 21, 2020)

Before I dive into the usual traffic updates, I wanted to reshare some news from this past week that you might have missed. Read more

 

Ciresi announces $255K in grants to assist local students with special needs

(Aug 21, 2020)

“Students with special needs have been particularly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and the changes we’ve all been forced to make because of it,” Ciresi said. “The comfort of routine has been shelved, and that can be especially distressful for young minds that require an extra degree of support. I am not only grateful for this funding, but I am hopeful it will go a long way to reestablishing a sense of structure for those facing additional challenges in this upcoming school year.” Read more

 

Legislation by Reps. Ciresi, Davis would provide financial relief to local bars, restaurants

(Aug 20, 2020)

“These establishments – particularly the smaller, ‘mom and pop’ businesses – are the lifeblood of a community and often become landmarks where we live, work and raise our families,” Ciresi said. “Because of the pandemic, so many of these bars, restaurants and catering halls are struggling to stay afloat, hurt by the inability to operate at full capacity. That’s why Rep. Davis and I have introduced this bill, to help as many local businesses as possible to get the funding they need and deserve.” Read more

 

Ciresi calls for additional hazard pay for first responders, frontline workers

(Aug 19, 2020)

“While the recent hazard pay grants provided important support to many of our frontline heroes, we need to do more,” Ciresi said. “Unfortunately, due to program guidelines and funding limitations, many of those putting themselves in harm’s way were left out, including firefighters and EMS. We have a responsibility to them – as fellow Pennsylvanians – to honor their long-term sacrifices and risks with financial assistance.” Read more

 

SEPTA Senior ID services temporarily unavailable in my office, and an upcoming Tele-Town Hall on the 422 corridor

(Aug 17, 2020)

Email also highlights an upcoming transit tele-town hall and the latest traffic updates for 422. Read more

 

Ciresi announces $836K for Pottstown stormwater arches, Perkiomen sewer repairs

(Aug 17, 2020)

“While stormwater and sewer infrastructure is usually not at the top of people’s minds, it’s absolutely critical to keep maintained and in good repair,” Ciresi said. “This is why funding for these projects in Pottstown and Perkiomen was a major priority of mine, so that we address these structural issues now, not later when they could put people and the environment at risk. I will keep pushing to invest in repairing and modernizing our infrastructure and make sure that our communities have a strong foundation to build on.” Read more

 

Ciresi announces $750K in funding for local housing, blight remediation initiatives

(Aug 14, 2020)

Funding will go to Pottstown Borough Land Bank, Genesis Housing Corp. and the Montgomery County Department of Housing & Community Development. Read more

 

Ciresi legislation aims to improve PA students’ living standards

(Aug 11, 2020)

“A student’s first off-campus apartment is an exciting and crucial step in his or her growth, but most student tenants are unaware of their rights as tenants or what to do if they experience an unsafe condition in their apartment,” Ciresi said. “This leads too many of our young people living in unsafe conditions or being treated unfairly by landlords.” Read more

 

Help for learning institutions; a new bill to save tax dollars; Route 422 traffic updates

(Aug 07, 2020)

As you know, schools are facing a confluence of challenges as we head into the fall. That is one reason why I am happy to announce the following grants and relief for our area learning institutions: Read more

 

Ciresi announces nearly $200K for Pottstown School District, WMCTC

(Aug 07, 2020)

A CTC Equity Grant of $72,294 was awarded to Western Montgomery Career & Technology Center, while a Continuing of Education Equity Grant of $123,605 was awarded to Pottstown School District. Read more

 

Ciresi announces $10K in relief grants for local cultural organizations

(Aug 05, 2020)

Pottstown Regional Public Library and The Speaker’s House in Trappe were awarded $6,000 and $4,000, respectively, as part of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council program to help sustain the state’s cultural infrastructure. Read more

 

New Ciresi legislation promotes cost-saving local government cooperation

(Aug 04, 2020)

“With strained budgets, local governments and school districts throughout Pennsylvania are looking for ways to provide necessary services without raising taxes,” Ciresi said. “We have a real opportunity to improve local government and reduce property taxes through back-office reform and shared services, allowing us to do more with less while keeping our local representation and community identity." Read more

 

Ciresi, Hanbidge applaud $444K grant for Montgomery County Community College

(Aug 03, 2020)

“Whether our postsecondary institutions offer in-person or online classes – MCCC has already indicated most of its fall courses will be offered online – this grant will go a long way to ensuring the safety and instructional needs of the students and faculty is met,” said Ciresi, whose 146th Legislative District includes Pottstown, home to MCCC’s West Campus. Read more

 

Bills to support the restaurant industry; Work coming up on U.S. 422

(Jul 31, 2020)

These topics in more covered in my latest weekly email. Read more

 

Ciresi announces $77K redevelopment grant for former Pottstown Plating Works property

(Jul 31, 2020)

“This funding will be very helpful in our continued efforts to revitalize Pottstown and clean up old industrial sites,” Ciresi said. “By putting this property back on track for productive use, this project will create jobs, clean up the environment and be part of us entering a new era for Pottstown.” Read more

 

Ciresi Discusses Importance Of Contact Tracing In PA

(Jul 30, 2020)

Pa. state Rep. Joe Ciresi attended a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing to discuss the challenges and importance of contact tracing in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Relief to restaurants, bars & clubs to help workers a top priority in House Democratic legislative package

(Jul 27, 2020)

HARRISBURG, July 27 -- Citing the distressing impacts COVID-19 is having on Pennsylvania’s restaurant industry and a recent Yelp survey showing more than half of restaurants could close permanently due to the virus’ impact, Democrats in Harrisburg have crafted a legislative package aimed at providing relief to community business owners and the workers that cook and serve our food. The package includes nine bills that would provide grants to local restaurants, bars and clubs, reduce and eliminate specific licensing fees, extend discounts to licensees and protect businesses by guaranteeing their insurance pays out in future emergencies. These efforts will provide direct relief to an industry of Pennsylvania businesses the virus has hit hard, House Democratic leaders said. Restrictions put in place have been necessary in the state’s response to COVID-19. The leaders said they recognize the hardship the virus has continued to place on the restaurant industry. Restaurants have served as the backdrop of many life occasions and special moments and they need support more now than ever. The House Democratic package includes: Earmarking CARES grant funding from the federal government to be directed to small, community restaurants instead of national chains to ensure those dollars are invested back into the region. ( Rep. Joe Ciresi, Montgomery County & Rep. Tina Davis, Bucks County ) Earmarking CARES grant Read more

 

PennDOT extends expiration dates again; Protecting PA’s workforce

(Jul 24, 2020)

Just today, PennDOT announced that expiration dates for driver licenses, identification cards and learner’s permits will be extended for Pennsylvania residents in response to statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Read more

 

Ciresi: Employee Protections are Critical

(Jul 22, 2020)

Pa. state Rep. Joe Ciresi joined the PA House Democratic Policy Committee for a hearing about workplace protections. Ciresi is working to provide a safe environment for all public workers. Read more

 

Hazard pay grants now available to support frontline workers

(Jul 20, 2020)

"For more than 19 weeks, dedicated workers have shown up on the job -- in the midst of an invisible virus. They have treated sick patients, stocked shelves, driven delivery trucks, responded to emergency scenes, and much more to keep us going. Not only do they deserve our respect, but they also deserve a bigger paycheck.” Read more

 

Funding & legislative updates, plus latest news on U.S. 422
Aug 21, 2020

Ciresi announces $255K in grants to assist local students with special needs
Aug 21, 2020

Legislation by Reps. Ciresi, Davis would provide financial relief to local bars, restaurants
Aug 20, 2020

Ciresi calls for additional hazard pay for first responders, frontline workers
Aug 19, 2020

SEPTA Senior ID services temporarily unavailable in my office, and an upcoming Tele-Town Hall on the 422 corridor
Aug 17, 2020

Ciresi announces $836K for Pottstown stormwater arches, Perkiomen sewer repairs
Aug 17, 2020

Ciresi announces $750K in funding for local housing, blight remediation initiatives
Aug 14, 2020

Ciresi legislation aims to improve PA students’ living standards
Aug 11, 2020

Help for learning institutions; a new bill to save tax dollars; Route 422 traffic updates
Aug 07, 2020

Ciresi announces nearly $200K for Pottstown School District, WMCTC
Aug 07, 2020

Ciresi announces $10K in relief grants for local cultural organizations
Aug 05, 2020

New Ciresi legislation promotes cost-saving local government cooperation
Aug 04, 2020

Ciresi, Hanbidge applaud $444K grant for Montgomery County Community College
Aug 03, 2020

Bills to support the restaurant industry; Work coming up on U.S. 422
Jul 31, 2020

Ciresi announces $77K redevelopment grant for former Pottstown Plating Works property
Jul 31, 2020

Ciresi Discusses Importance Of Contact Tracing In PA
Jul 30, 2020

Relief to restaurants, bars & clubs to help workers a top priority in House Democratic legislative package
Jul 27, 2020

PennDOT extends expiration dates again; Protecting PA’s workforce
Jul 24, 2020

Ciresi: Employee Protections are Critical
Jul 22, 2020

Hazard pay grants now available to support frontline workers
Jul 20, 2020