Ciresi celebrates bipartisan state budget delivering on key priorities: Historic education investments, cyber charter school oversight and data center transparency
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus July 13, 2026 | 3:36 PM
HARRISBURG, July 13– State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, celebrated the 2026-27state budget’s delivery on three key priorities he has long championed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives: increased education funding, charter school oversight and data center transparency.
“I’m gratified that my long-standing advocacy for protections for cyber charter students and data center transparency has been reflected in this budget,” Ciresi said. “Together with historic investments in education, this budget will create a stronger future for our students and a safer, healthier environment for our communities.”
The budget makes a $670 million investment statewide in education, which includes a $565 million increase to help rectify historic funding discrepancies and $50 million increases in both basic education and special education funding to ensure every student can succeed.
Ciresi said school districts in the 146th Legislative District will benefit from significant funding increases totaling more than $3.5 million:
- Pottstown School District: $2.5 million (7.9% increase)
- Pottsgrove School District: $681,000 (4.6% increase)
- Spring-Ford Area School District: $347,000 (1.8% increase)
“This budget will strengthen our schools, ensuring Pennsylvania’s children have access to the education they need to succeed in the 21st century,” Ciresi said. “I am especially pleased that the budget will ensure cyber charter schools face penalties if their students don’t receive the same protections and support from teachers and staff as their peers in brick-and-mortar schools.”
As House Communications and Technology Committee majority chair, Ciresi has also shepherded legislation that would require transparency and accountability from data centers in Pennsylvania. The budget includes a requirement that data centers with a peak capacity demand of more than 10 megawatts report energy and water use annually to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for the first time.
“It’s incredible that Pennsylvanians are in the dark about how much electricity and water data centers consume, especially given their impact on utility costs and the environment,” Ciresi said. “I’m thrilled that this budget will turn on the light regarding data centers’ consumption by requiring greater transparency and accountability.”
Ciresi also highlighted several measures that support working Pennsylvanians. First, the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit will return nearly $200 million to 950,000 families, helping to alleviate financial pressures.
Ciresi praised the budget’s 20% increase in funding for the Child Care Recruitment and Retention Program, bringing the total to $30 million, saying it will help expand access to child care, enabling more parents to remain in the workforce while supporting the recruitment and retention of child care professionals.
“I am very glad that our working families will have expanded access to child care through this budget,” Ciresi said. “With the high cost of living and the realities of today’s workforce, parents cannot step away from their jobs to care for children without facing long-term negative effects on their careers and earning potential. This investment is a win-win for working families because it helps ensure children receive quality care while supporting the professionals who make that care possible.”
The budget also includes the following funding increases and new investments:
- A 9.1% increase for early intervention services for children with developmental delays.
- A 31% increase for Grow PA scholarships, which offer grants to in-state students who attend college in Pennsylvania, pursue a degree in a high-demand industry and agree to live and work in that industry in Pennsylvania after graduation.
- $125 million in Innovate in PA 2.0 tax credits to invest in Pennsylvania’s biotechnology and life sciences industries, growing and attracting high-quality in-state jobs.
- $6 million for avian flu surveillance and response.
- Critically needed increases for Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance and Children’s Health Insurance Program, along with funding to transition to chip-enabled cards for food assistance recipients.
- Expanded funding for the successful Violence Intervention and Prevention program and boosted statewide enforcement funding against human trafficking and child predators to keep communities safe.
Ciresi also praised the budget’s recognition of the contributions of Pennsylvania’s retired educators by providing their first cost-of-living adjustment in 25 years.
“These dedicated educators gave their lives to teaching Pennsylvania’s children,” Ciresi said. “They earned and deserve this COLA increase, which will help ensure they can live their retirement with dignity.”