Cyber charter bill re-introduced to save taxpayers money

Rep. Joseph Ciresi May 7, 2025 | 3:21 PM

Hi Neighbor,

This week and last week saw a lot of positive movement on priority bills that I introduced to protect consumers, improve accountability to cyber charter school operations, and more.

Cyber Charter Reform

Auditor General Timothy DeFoor, a Republican, is the third auditor general who has called for reform of cyber charter schools, and it is long past time for the legislature to make cyber charter schools as accountable as any entity receiving public funds.

Last week, I reintroduced legislation to modernize Pennsylvania’s charter school law to save taxpayers money, require more openness and transparency, and ensure taxpayer-funded tuition payments to cyber charter schools are focused on educating students.

This legislation preserves school choice and puts students and their education at the center of every dollar taxpayers send to cyber charter schools. By establishing limits on spending that is unrelated to educating students, aligning tuition closer to actual costs and needs, and requiring cyber charter schools and their operators to be fully transparent in their operations, H.B. 1372 would bring long-overdue principles of fiscal responsibility, good governance and a focus on students that our broken charter school law needs.

Last session it went to the state Senate where it stalled, and it's now on its way to the Senate again for consideration. Call your state senator and urge them to vote for H.B. 1372.

Also in the House:

More EV charging stations in PA

The PA House passed my bill (H.B. 789) that would help create more electric vehicle charging stations at no cost to taxpayers. It now advances to the Pennsylvania Senate for action.

Signage Requirements for Subdivision and Land Development

Residents are often 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 not legible from the road. My bill (H.B. 375), which was approved by the Local Government Committee, 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 and the opportunity to make their voices heard before final decisions are made.

Protecting You from Gift Card Scams

Consumers are increasingly falling victim to sophisticated gift card scams. That is why I introduced H.B. 1067, which was reported out of the Commerce Committee on Tuesday. My legislation would require retailers selling gift cards to post clear signage warning consumers about gift card scams where gift cards are displayed and at the point of sale. Retailers would also be required to train their employees on how to identify and respond to suspected victims of gift card-related scams. The PA Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection would be directed to produce model signage and training to help retailers with the implementation of these requirements.

You can always stream PA House proceedings live from my website, Rep. Joseph Ciresi | Home Page. We are in session today and next week (May 12-14).

It’s an honor to represent you,

Joe