Ciresi amends bill to ensure accurate assessment of manufactured homes

(Mar 25, 2020)

HARRISBURG, MARCH 25 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, said the House today passed legislation that included an amendment he authored to ensure that the latest assessments of manufactured homes would be done with the most recent evaluating manual. House Bill 1564 would set up standards to ensure that counties properly assess the value of manufactured homes during a countywide assessment. It would require an assessor to determine the actual value of a manufactured home by utilizing the value of a manufactured home in the most recent national directory or valuation guide that analyzes manufactured home sales and other relevant data, per Ciresi’s amendment; any depreciation in the value of the manufactured home; the ability of the manufactured home to be transported to another site; and the fair market value of the manufactured home. “I was happy to see the entire House agree with me that if these new assessments are to be done, they should be done with the latest standards and guidelines in mind,” Ciresi said. “My amendment ensures that HB1564 would truly hold up to its title of ‘real assessment value.’ It’s important that we set guidelines to keep these homes at their fair market value. “This was the second vote taken remotely in PA House history,” he added. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. More information is Read more

 

Governor Wolf’s order to close non-life-sustaining businesses, loans and support available

(Mar 20, 2020)

Governor Tom Wolf has ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania to close their physical locations as of 8 p.m. Thursday, March 19, to slow the spread of COVID-19. Enforcement actions against businesses that do not close physical locations will begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, March 21. Gov. Wolf’s order is here. A list of life-sustaining businesses is here . If you are having trouble viewing this link due to high web traffic, use this link instead . In extenuating circumstances, special exemptions will be granted to businesses that are supplying or servicing health care providers. The PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has established a new resource account where businesses and staff can submit questions on exemptions regarding the closure of physical locations for non-life-sustaining businesses in the Commonwealth. Businesses seeking exemptions from closure: Please contact ra-dcexemptions@pa.gov . Other questions about closures can be directed to ra-dcedcs@pa.gov . For more COVID-19 business information, DCED has set up a web site that continually will be updated as information becomes available: https://dced.pa.gov/resources . Business Loans and Support The DCED offers working capital loans that could be of assistance to businesses impacted by COVID-19. Resources and information will be posted to Read more

 

Ciresi supports Wolf’s call for COVID-19 mitigation efforts

(Mar 17, 2020)

MONTGOMERY, MARCH 17 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced that all Montgomery County residents should distance themselves and heed the guidance of the Department of Health during the state’s COVID-19 disaster declaration. Governor Tom Wolf has ordered all restaurants and bars to close their dine-in facilities starting today for 14 days to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Businesses that offer carry-out, delivery, and drive-through food and beverage service may continue to do so, but eating and drinking inside restaurants and bars is temporarily prohibited. “It may seem like a large step to take, but a global pandemic and state emergency such as this requires us to be the most vigilant,” Ciresi said. “If we take these larger measures seriously, we can prevent the spread of this virus and be done with it quicker. If you are a younger and more able-bodied person, please take this opportunity to check in on your older or less abled neighbors. Check the Pennsylvania Health Department website for updates on what you can do to stay safe. Take care of yourselves and try your best to isolate during this time.” Businesses that do not adhere to this order could face enforcement actions. If you face a shortage of hours or displacement due to coronavirus concerns, check our state unemployment compensation website to see if you qualify. The administration has strongly urged that all Read more

 

Ciresi announces temporary district office closure

(Mar 12, 2020)

POTTSTOWN, March 12 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced today that his district office at 301 N. Lewis Road in Royersford is closed for the foreseeable future in order to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus . Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf this afternoon outlined further notices for Montgomery County, which can be found here . “My staff and constituents’ health are too important to jeopardize during this health emergency, and I encourage everyone who can to employ social distancing and stay at home unless it’s imperative to journey out for work or to seek care and necessities. My advice is keeping with this afternoon’s address from Governor Tom Wolf and Health Department Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine,” he said. “Additionally, I participated in a conference call with Montgomery County Commissioners Val Arkoosh and Ken Lawrence. As you may have heard by now, there are four new presumptive positive COVID-19 cases in the county, bringing the total to 13. “In an effort to get these numbers to drop, Dr. Arkoosh and Montgomery County announced today that all public and private schools will be closed for the next two weeks, beginning tomorrow, Friday, March 13. “I support the state and county’s efforts to stymie this virus in its tracks by limiting our interactions, especially with large groups of people. To do our part, our offices in Royersford and Pottstown will be closed Read more

 

Ciresi announces $17K grant for Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust

(Mar 05, 2020)

MONTGOMERY, MARCH 5 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced that a $17,290 grant has been approved for the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust. “Railroads have a rich history in Pennsylvania,” Ciresi said. “As the Keystone State, transportation of goods has always been a hallmark of what we do. I’m grateful that this money will be used to preserve this historical site. I was happy to fight for the allocation of these funds, and I’m even happier to see this money coming back to our community.” Cultural and Historical Support Grants are to provide general operating support to Pennsylvania museums and official county historical societies that are not directly supported by other state agency operating support programs. An eligible museum must have an annual operating budget exceeding $100,000 and at least one full-time professional staff person. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission received 153 applications. All applicants were eligible. Fifty-six official county historical societies applied for support grants and 12 qualified in the museum category. The number of counties to receive funding increased from 57 to 58 of the 67 counties. Museums outside of Philadelphia with budgets between $100,000 and $3.5 million receive a grant based on 1.235% of their operating budget, with grants no less than $4,000. For more information, reach out Read more

 

Miss my latest Tele-Town Hall? Listen to the discussion here.

(Feb 27, 2020)

Find out what our friends and neighbors had to say about the issues that matter to our community. Read more

 

School safety grants awarded around Montgomery County

(Feb 26, 2020)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 26 – Montgomery County state representatives today announced school safety and security grants awarded to school districts throughout the county. The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s School Safety and Security Committee awarded a total of $53.7 million in school safety grants. Montgomery County awards are as follows: Abington School District: $455,550 Agora Cyber Charter School: $143,226 Cheltenham Township School District: $45,000 Colonial School District: $45,000 Hatboro-Horsham School District: $45,000 Jenkintown School District: $30,000 Lower Merion School District: $45,000 Lower Moreland Township School District: $40,000 Methacton School District: $221,370 Norristown Area School District: $467,756 North Montco Technical Career Center: $150,000 North Penn School District: $45,000 Perkiomen Valley School District: $45,000 Pottsgrove School District: $40,000 Pottstown School District: $490,000 Souderton Area School District: $460,437 Springfield Township School District: $40,000 Spring-Ford Area School District: $45,000 Upper Dublin School District: $45,000 Upper Merion Area School District: $45,000 Upper Moreland School District: $40,000 Upper Perkiomen School District: $40,000 Western Montgomery Career & Technology Center: $72,994 Wissahickon School District: $45,000 Below are reactions from Democratic state Read more

 

Ciresi introduces legislation to benefit first responders

(Feb 07, 2020)

State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, introduced House Bill 2273 on Monday to benefit first responders. The bill would waive vehicle registration fees for volunteer first responders who use their own vehicles to travel to emergencies. Read more

 

Ciresi determined to find mass transit solution for commuters

(Feb 06, 2020)

State Rep. Joe Ciresi traveled via mass transit from his home in Montgomery County to Philadelphia Thursday morning to illustrate the tremendous amount of time and effort commuters experience every day heading to work. Read more

 

Ciresi applauds education cost-saving reforms in budget proposal

(Feb 04, 2020)

State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, released the following statement regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed 2020-21 budget unveiled today. Read more