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Rep. Joseph Ciresi

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Ciresi presents $30K state grant to Pottstown’s North End Fire

(Mar 08, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

ROYERSFORD, March 8 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, on Saturday presented to the North End Fire Company in Pottstown a ceremonial check for a $30,000 grant award from the Department of Community and Economic Development. “Our firefighters risk their lives every day to protect ours, and they need and deserve gear that will keep them safe while keeping us safe from deadly fires,” Ciresi said. “I’m glad that we were able to help with this important need, and I will continue to support our volunteer fire companies and first responders to make sure they have what they need to perform their vital service.” Funding from this state grant will be used by the North End Fire Company to purchase National Fire Protection Association-approved gear for structural firefighting. "On behalf of everyone at our organization and the communities we serve, thank you to State Representative Joe Ciresi and his hard-working team for making the purchase of 10 new sets of turnout gear to protect our firefighters,” said North End Fire Chief Andrew Pyles. “This turnout gear will ensure that we get to safely help our communities in their times of need and would not be possible without the help and support of government officials like Representative Ciresi and his team!” Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Mar 05, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Commonwealth Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Who May Apply: State and local organizations, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations, and other eligible specialty crops stakeholders. Use: The purpose of the Program is to enhance, but not replace, the Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program by establishing a Commonwealth Specialty Crop Block Grant Program for specialty crops that are not currently eligible for grant payments under the Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, or that are otherwise designated high-priority specialty crops by the Secretary. Funding for the Program will assist the growth, certification of seed and marketing of these eligible specialty crops. Funds: $460,000 in funding is available. Application Deadline: April 19, 2024 More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others may apply. Use: Strategic business planning to expand or diversify farms or support transition of ownership. Funds: $500,000 in funding is available. Grants shall not exceed $7,500. Application Deadline: Applications will be received until funds are exhausted. More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Recruitment Incentives for Law Enforcement Who May Apply: Local law enforcement Read more

 

Ciresi introduces legislation to reform educational tax credit programs

(Feb 23, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Feb. 23 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today introduced House Bill 2063 which would reform the commonwealth’s educational tax credit programs, the Educational Improvement Tax Credit and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit, to ensure they are better serving those who need them. According to Ciresi, although funding for Pennsylvania’s educational tax credit programs has increased significantly over the past few decades, there has been little oversight to determine their effectiveness or how the money is spent, which has resulted in those in need not getting necessary assistance. “The state has awarded billions of dollars in state tax credits for private and religious school vouchers, but because of how the programs have been set up, it’s been difficult to determine their success and whether the money has been spent properly,” Ciresi said. “My legislation would reform our educational tax credit programs and ensure this money is serving its intended purpose by refocusing the programs on those truly in need of assistance, freeing up more money for scholarships, closing loopholes that have diverted money from students, and expanding data collection.” Ciresi’s legislation would seek to implement multiple recommendations that the Independent Fiscal Office made in 2022 after reviewing the programs’ operations. First, the IFO found that statutory limits on the programs’ data available Read more

 

Ciresi applauds the nearly $155K in state support for district fire and EMS companies

(Feb 15, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

ROYERSFORD, Feb. 15 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced today that fire departments and nonprofit EMS agencies in the 146 th district received $154,849 in state grants from the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program. “This state support for our fire departments and EMS agencies is a necessary investment in our residents’ safety and well-being,” Ciresi said. “As the attractiveness of our communities and the quality of life of our residents depends on their having a strong safety infrastructure, I will be fighting to ensure this important grant program is renewed this year and will support the governor’s budget plan to double the program’s size.” Grants awarded in Ciresi’s district include: Friendship HLH&A Inc. in Royersford - $15,000. Goodwill Steam Fire Engine Co No 1 in Pottstown - $31,951.99. Limerick Fire Department in Limerick - $29,951.99. North End Fire Company Num 1 of Pottstown - $15,000. Philadelphia Steam Fire Engine Co 1 in Pottstown - $16,173.90. Ringing Hill Fire Company in Lower Pottsgrove - $15,979.38. Royersford Fire Department in Royersford - $15,590.33. Sanatoga Fire Co in Lower Pottsgrove - $15,201.29. The grant money can be applied to a combination of up to two projects in the following categories: Construction and/or renovation of the fire Read more

 

Ciresi applauds the nearly $147,000 state investment in the area’s career and technical schools

(Feb 09, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

ROYERSFORD, Feb. 8 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced today that the Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center has been awarded a grant of $85,000 and the Pottstown School District a grant of $61,949 by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the purchase of new equipment to help train students in skills required for high-demand occupations. “I believe it is critical that all students develop the critical skills they will need to thrive in the highly competitive 21 st century economy, and no students are more in need of best-in-class opportunities than our career and technical students,” Ciresi said. “These grants will help provide these students with the skills and hands-on experience with first-class equipment they will need to build careers in high-demand, high-paying fields. By providing a world-class education to Pennsylvania’s career and technical students, Pennsylvania is ensuring its own economic growth for years to come. I applaud the state’s investment in Montgomery County’s workforce.” “We want to thank the governor, PDE, and all of our legislators for supplying this grant funding in the state budget,” said Dave Livengood, administrative director for WMCTC. “Career and Technical Education is critical to making Pennsylvania a place where businesses want to relocate because we can provide a highly trained workforce to meet their company Read more

 

Ciresi highlights record education funding, call for charter reform in Shapiro’s budget proposal

(Feb 06, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Feb. 6 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, released the following statement regarding Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2024-25 budget proposal, unveiled today before the General Assembly: “Today’s budget address included a strong plan for public education that will help our students, taxpayers, and communities,” Ciresi said. “In addition to proposing a historic investment in education, I was glad to hear the governor’s support for cyber charter reform that would align payments to the actual cost of cyber education. These changes level the playing field for all schools and students, invest in public education, and give a much-needed break to our property taxpayers.” Ciresi said the proposed budget includes an additional $1.1 billion for basic and special education statewide, delivering an increase of almost $9 million to school districts in the 146th Legislative District, including: Pottsgrove School District: $2.9 million. Pottstown School District: $4.8 million. Spring-Ford Area School District: $1.3 million. This includes savings from setting a standardized statewide cyber charter tuition rate, which would return $262 million to public school districts and taxpayers. The reform was part of Ciresi’s legislation (H.B. 1422) that passed in the House with bipartisan support last year. “These investments in education are a first step on a path to making sure every school has the resources Read more

 

Ciresi says it’s time for an early spring for taxpayers and students

(Feb 02, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

ROYERSFORD, Feb. 2 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi recognized Groundhog Day not by talking about Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of an early spring, but instead by calling to break the endless cycle of throwing money at cyber charter schools that keep failing students, taxpayers, and communities. “Bill Murray’s character in Groundhog Day spent almost 34 years replaying the same day , learning from his mistakes until he finally broke the cycle,” Ciresi said. “We’ve spent too many years in Pennsylvania advocating for change while we all keep overpaying for a broken cyber charter school system, letting for-profit companies take their cut of tax dollars before our kids get their share. It’s time to break the cycle by passing comprehensive reform.” Ciresi’s solution, the Cyber Charter Reform Act (H.B. 1422), would end $455 million in annual overpayments to cyber charter schools, returning that money to taxpayers and traditional public schools by aligning special education funding to student needs and setting a standardized statewide tuition rate. The legislation would also require cyber charters to adhere to the same standards as other public schools, including transparency in spending, ethics and conflicts of interest requirements, and safeguards to ensure proper use of public funds. The cyber charter reform bill passed in the House last year with bipartisan support but has not yet been considered by Read more

 

Ciresi announces $167,000 in state grants for Pottstown and Royersford parks

(Jan 16, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Jan. 16 – A long-time proponent of parks and outdoor recreation, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced today that he secured $167,000 in state funding for park projects in Pottstown and Royersford: $75,000 – Pottstown Pollock Park Remediation Project. $92,000 – Royersford Victory Park Redevelopment Project. “Our parks provide important green public spaces in our communities,” Ciresi said. “With this state support, we will continue the great progress we’ve seen in Royersford’s Victory Park and drive a new vision for an improved Pollock Park in Pottstown when it reopens. These state grants are important investments in spaces that bring our neighborhoods together and create opportunities for healthy outdoor recreation.” According to Ciresi, the $75,000 in grant funds will help execute Phase 1 of Pollock Park’s remediation project. While closed since 2017 due to the discovery of contaminants from its former industrial use, the site is being cleaned up and will be turned into a neighborhood pocket park. Phase 1 improvements that will be supported with this grant include a new playground, a dog park, and parking and access improvements – expanding the utility and value of the park to the local community when it’s once again made available for public use. Ciresi added that the goal for Royersford’s Victory Park redevelopment is to make it ADA-accessible and inclusive to Read more

 

Ciresi announces $1.3M in state grants for Pottstown-area sewer infrastructure

(Dec 19, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Dec. 19 – A believer that a strong infrastructure is the key to building strong communities, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, helped secure $1,338,380 in state funding for infrastructure projects in Pottstown and Lower Pottsgrove. “These important investments to the sewer infrastructure in the Pottstown area will upgrade and modernize essential services, improving reliability while keeping our environment clean,” Ciresi said. “I’m also proud to support our continued progress in making comprehensive repairs to Pottstown’s stormwater arches, ensuring a solid foundation for the town’s ongoing revitalization.” Funds distributed through the H20 PA Program provide for single-year or multi-year grants to municipalities or municipal authorities to assist with the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm water projects. Act 54 of 2022 appropriated $205.4 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to the H2O PA – Water Supply, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Water Projects Program. They include: $744,073 for the Borough of Pottstown for a stormwater arch rehabilitation project. $212,472 for the Pottstown Borough Authority to purchase and install a diesel generator at the Lower Pump House Pump Station. Funding for stormwater arch system repairs would help the Borough of Pottstown in rebuilding collapsed arches and performing high priority repairs, as well as doing high priority preventive Read more

 

Ciresi announces $147,500 in state tax credits for Pottstown revitalization

(Nov 22, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Nov. 22 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced today that the state had approved $147,500 in Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits to assist Genesis Housing Corp. in its investment in revitalizing blighted properties in Pottstown. “These state tax credits will help continue the important work of Genesis Housing Corp. in fighting blight and maintaining affordable housing in Pottstown,” Ciresi said. “This work will keep at-risk homeowners in safe and decent housing while revitalizing the communities around them. At a time when affordable housing is increasingly hard to find, this investment is important and will make meaningful impacts in people’s lives. I thank DCED, Genesis Housing Corp., and their business partners for making this investment in Pottstown.” The investment will assist Genesis Housing Corporation’s rehabilitation projects in Pottstown: $80,000 will be used to address neighborhood revitalization through mostly smaller scale improvement projects, housing rehab and facade grants. This money will support exterior renovations, housing counseling services, improved community access to gardens, and support for community improvement programs. $67,500 will be used to continue the Pottstown Homeowner Property Rehab Program to provide rehab grants for at-risk populations. This program will provide eligible low-income homeowners with grants and technical assistance for critical home repairs, Read more

 

House passes Ciresi bill to expand EV charging infrastructure

(Oct 30, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 30 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s, D-Montgomery, legislation that would help create more EV charging stations throughout Pennsylvania at no cost to the Pennsylvania taxpayer passed the House today. House Bill 1474 would add electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects as an eligible project type under Pennsylvania’s Property-Assessed Clean Energy program (C-PACE). C-PACE, which was created by Act 30 of 2018 , has facilitated over $250 million in investments in energy efficiency, clean energy, conservation, and other projects by connecting property owners with long-term financing. The investments are funded entirely through private capital, so it would not impose any financial burden on the commonwealth or local governments, according to Ciresi. “My House Bill 1474 would help develop Pennsylvania’s EV charging infrastructure at no cost to the taxpayer at a time when electric vehicles are becoming more prevalent on our roads and highways,” Ciresi said. “This legislation would unlock financing to install charging stations throughout the commonwealth—from places of employment, restaurants, apartments, hotels, shopping centers to tourist attractions. More charging stations makes it easier for everyone to operate these energy-efficient, environmentally friendly vehicles in Pennsylvania, whether you’re a resident running errands or business traveler or tourist visiting our state.” The bill has Read more

 

Ciresi presents $20K check to Lower Pottsgrove to improve emergency responses

(Oct 23, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

“This traffic preemption system will allow emergency vehicles to have right-of-way traveling through the intersection, helping to reduce emergency response times and increase traffic safety,” Ciresi said. “This is a smart use of government funding to increase the quality of life for the Lower Pottsgrove Township community.” Read more

 

Ciresi bill to outlaw early termination fees for deceased people passes House

(Oct 17, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s bill that would protect a deceased person’s family or estate from being charged early termination fees for canceling certain service contracts and vehicle leases passed the PA House today unanimously. “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,” Ciresi said. “ Death shouldn’t come with fees, and companies shouldn’t be making money off a customer’s death. My legislation would prohibit cable, phone, telecommunication, utility and other companies from imposing early termination fees on a recently deceased person’s family for services that would no longer be used.” The bill would require that written notice along with 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. The bill is on its way to be considered by the Senate. Read more

 

Hard to Read License Plate Replacement Event

(Oct 11, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Hard to Read License Plate Replacement Event Read more

 

Paper Shredding Event

(Oct 11, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Co-Hosted with Lower Pottsgrove Township Sunday, October 22 11am – 2pm (or until the truck is full) Pottsgrove Senior High School 1345 Kauffman Rd, Pottstown Please keep to a limit of five boxes of paper per household. Read more

 

Veterans Discount ID Card & FraudSleuth Sign-Up Event

(Oct 11, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Co-Hosted with Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Jeanne Sorg Thursday, October 12 10am – 12pm (noon) Rep. Ciresi Royersford District Office Park Towne Plaza Shopping Center 301 N Lewis Rd, Ste 140C, Royersford For Veterans: Bring your DD-214 discharge paperwork to be recorded with the County and receive a Veterans Discount ID Card, accepted at over 500 county businesses. For Homeowners: Sign up for FraudSleuth, a free County-run property fraud protection service, which will alert you if someone attempts to record a document matching your property with Montgomery County. Read more

 

Ciresi announces nearly $385K in state funding for park improvements

(Oct 05, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 5 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced today that Royersford Borough has been awarded $184,800 and West Pottsgrove Township, $200,000 in state funding by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “These well-deserved awards will improve Royersford’s Victory Park and West Pottsgrove Township’s Old Timer’s Park to enhance the experience for all of their visitors and make sure they can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of ability,” Ciresi said. “Continued state support for our local parks will have visible impacts in our communities, including an improved baseball field for West Pottsgrove and accessible pathways, tables and benches, and play surfaces throughout Royersford’s Victory Park.” The grant money will be used for the following projects: $184,800 for Royersford Borough to rehabilitate Victory Park. The funds will help renovate the outdoor stage, construct a pedestrian walkway, install play equipment with required safety surfacing and fencing, install ADA access, landscape, install project signage and make other related site improvements. $200,000 for West Pottsgrove Township to rehabilitate the Old Timer’s Field Park. The funds will be used to renovate the baseball field and parking area, construct stormwater management measures, install fencing and lighting and ADA access, landscaping, project signage and make other related site Read more

 

House passes Ciresi signage bill for land development

(Oct 03, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 3 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation (H.B. 123) to create signage requirements for proposed subdivision and land development projects passed the House today. “All too often, residents are left unaware of development happening near them because property developers can provide ‘notice’ with nothing more than an 8½-inch by 11-inch sheet of paper, which is often easy to miss,” Ciresi said. “My bill would require greater transparency by creating specific requirements for posted signage on property proposed for development, giving residents a better understanding of what is happening in their community before final decisions are made.” The legislation would amend the Municipalities Planning Code to ensure that posted signs are a minimum of nine square feet in surface area and can be read from a viewing distance of 50 feet, are conspicuously posted along external road frontage, and include a description of the proposed project and which local governmental entity is reviewing the development application. Developers would be required to keep the signage posted until after the application has been considered and acted on by the local government. The legislation was introduced as H.B. 2374 in the previous legislative session. Read more

 

Ciresi anti-littering bill passes PA House

(Oct 02, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 2 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation (H.B. 1044) today passed the PA House of Representatives. The legislation would update and simplify littering language that appears on vehicle registration cards and applications for driver’s licenses and learner’s permits. “Pennsylvania is a beautiful state, but all too often litter degrades our streets and countryside, threatens public health and negatively impacts community pride,” Ciresi, D-Montgomery, said. “With this bill, I wanted to turn the current, technical wording used on PennDOT documents into something that everyone could understand, make sure drivers clearly understand the penalties for littering, and update the penalty language to include community service. We are all stewards of our commonwealth, and I hope the updated and simplified language on vehicle registration and applications will make Pennsylvanians step up and take responsibility for its care.” Ciresi said littering is a major problem in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Litter Research Study -- conducted in 2018-2019 by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful -- found more than 500 million pieces of litter on roadways statewide. Ciresi pointed out that a significant portion of taxpayer money is being used to clean up litter, citing one 2019 study by Keep Pennsylvania Read more

 

Ciresi introduces legislation to improve access to state government through live phone services

(Sep 13, 2023) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Sept. 12 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, introduced H.B. 1671 today, which would improve state agency customer service by requiring the availability of live phone services on their public lines. “All too often, when our residents call state agencies’ customer service systems, they face constant frustrations, such as being constantly redirected,” Ciresi said. “It shouldn’t be so difficult and time consuming to speak to a live representative to get critical information. My bill would make sure Pennsylvanians are able to speak to a live person when they call the state government looking for help.” The legislation would prohibit commonwealth agencies from using computer or automated answering systems in a way that impede callers’ abilities to speak with an agency employee, ensure that they are allowed to speak with someone able to answer questions about, provide information on, and provide assistance with services and duties of the agency. “Our residents expect and deserve excellent customer service," Ciresi said. "We need to make sure residents are able to reach their government when they need it, and ensuring live phone lines will increase both customer satisfaction and agency performance.” Read more

 

Ciresi presents $30K state grant to Pottstown’s North End Fire
Mar 08, 2024

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Educational, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Mar 05, 2024

Ciresi introduces legislation to reform educational tax credit programs
Feb 23, 2024

Ciresi applauds the nearly $155K in state support for district fire and EMS companies
Feb 15, 2024

Ciresi applauds the nearly $147,000 state investment in the area’s career and technical schools
Feb 09, 2024

Ciresi highlights record education funding, call for charter reform in Shapiro’s budget proposal
Feb 06, 2024

Ciresi says it’s time for an early spring for taxpayers and students
Feb 02, 2024

Ciresi announces $167,000 in state grants for Pottstown and Royersford parks
Jan 16, 2024

Ciresi announces $1.3M in state grants for Pottstown-area sewer infrastructure
Dec 19, 2023

Ciresi announces $147,500 in state tax credits for Pottstown revitalization
Nov 22, 2023

House passes Ciresi bill to expand EV charging infrastructure
Oct 30, 2023

Ciresi presents $20K check to Lower Pottsgrove to improve emergency responses
Oct 23, 2023

Ciresi bill to outlaw early termination fees for deceased people passes House
Oct 17, 2023

Hard to Read License Plate Replacement Event
Oct 11, 2023

Paper Shredding Event
Oct 11, 2023

Veterans Discount ID Card & FraudSleuth Sign-Up Event
Oct 11, 2023

Ciresi announces nearly $385K in state funding for park improvements
Oct 05, 2023

House passes Ciresi signage bill for land development
Oct 03, 2023

Ciresi anti-littering bill passes PA House
Oct 02, 2023

Ciresi introduces legislation to improve access to state government through live phone services
Sep 13, 2023