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Ciresi introduces legislation to prevent gift card scams

Rep. Joseph Ciresi

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Fed govt shutdown impacts SNAP, LIHEAP; State budget impasse

(4 hours ago) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Dear Neighbor, In this week’s update, you’ll find: Local events leading up to Halloween SNAP and LIHEAP impacts from federal shutdown State grants State budget impasse continues Our community is stronger because of the various non-profit organizations that support our workforce, seniors, and youth. The Tri-County YWCA is one of them, and this Saturday, the YW is hosting their annual block party on King Street (between N. Charlotte and N. Evans). Come check it out between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.! My staff will have a table, along with over 50 vendors. Read more

 

Get ready to vote; Recap of town hall

(Oct 17, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Oct. 17 Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Oct 17, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Fish and Boat Commission: Boating Facility Grant Program Who May Apply: Municipalities and non-profit organizations, including land trusts, conservancies, and watershed associations. Use: Planning, acquisition, development, expansion, and rehabilitation of public boating facilities Funds: Funds available may be adjusted by the commission and priority is given to projects with more than the required 50% match. Application Deadline: December 1, 2025 More information: PFBC Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Funds: $400 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis More information: DCED Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school districts, post-secondary academic institutions, workforce investment boards, economic development organizations, and non-profit organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible. Read more

 

Ciresi introduces bill to prohibit trespassing using drones

(Oct 17, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – A bill, H.B. 1926, prohibiting trespassing with a drone was introduced this week by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery. The bill would strengthen criminal trespass laws in Pennsylvania. “Although state law in Pennsylvania forbids someone from physically trespassing on another person’s property, it has not been adapted to include the use of drone technology,” Ciresi said. “My legislation would update state laws to prohibit trespass by drone, bringing Pennsylvania in line with other states such as Utah and Virginia , which already expressly prohibit it.” Ciresi was alerted to the issue by a constituent whose property had been repeatedly trespassed by a drone and found that the local police had difficulty filing charges because of limitations in existing state law. House Bill 1926 would prohibit the use of a drone if a person uses it to enter or remain over the property of another person with the intention of coercing, intimidating or causing annoyance, damaging property, or defying an order to leave or not enter the property as presented to the offender by the owner of the property, another authorized person or a law enforcement officer. “This bill would update state law to account for proliferation of the use of drones and hold bad actors accountable when they misuse this technology,” Ciresi said. Read more

 

Ciresi, Friel town hall with Pottstown NAACP highlights negative impact of federal budget cuts, delayed state budget on Pennsylvania

(Oct 16, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

POTTSTOWN, Oct. 16 – State Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Paul Friel, D-Chester, last night held a town hall with the NAACP’s Pottstown chapter. “Democracy was in action last night at the Pottstown town hall,” Ciresi said. “I was invigorated to see such passionate community engagement and thoughtful and respectful debate about how the federal and state budgets are having an impact on people’s lives.” Many of the audience questions concerned the impact that cuts and changes to SNAP and Medicaid would have on them and their communities. “Medicaid and SNAP have provided life-saving health care and put food on the tables of low-income Pennsylvanians for decades,” Ciresi said. “As a result of the federal budget cuts and changes to these programs, 5,914 people will lose Medicaid and 1,024 will lose SNAP in Chester County. Here in Montgomery County, 12,009 individuals will lose Medicaid and 2,336 will lose SNAP. In Pottstown alone, 1,662 people will lose Medicaid and 746 will lose SNAP. “These changes and cuts could not come at a worse time for our communities struggling with overburdened healthcare systems and rising food insecurity. Medicaid and SNAP have helped to stabilize our communities and support our economic growth. With more people in our communities living on the edge due to these cuts and changes, life will become unstable for us all. No one will be untouched by this devastation Read more

 

Ciresi to hold free shred event Oct. 19

(Oct 10, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

ROYERSFORD, Oct. 10 - - State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, will host a free community shred event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19 at Pottsgrove High School, 1345 Kauffman Road, Pottstown. “My free shred event is an opportunity for residents to dispose of sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking information and credit card applications in a safe and secure way,” said Ciresi. “We’re here to help you safeguard your privacy and protect your information.” District residents are invited to bring up to four boxes or bags of paper. Residents should remove large binder clips, spiral notebooks, x-rays, trash, or plastic. Shredding important documents helps prevent identity theft and protects personal information from falling into the wrong hands. Documents containing Social Security numbers, bank information, or medical details can be misused by thieves to steal money, run up credit card bills, or commit crimes under someone else’s name. Read more

 

This Week: Wednesday's Town Hall and Sunday's Shredding Event

(Oct 10, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Oct. 13, 2025 Read more

 

More than 100 Days without a Budget Agreement

(Oct 10, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Oct. 10, 2025 Read more

 

House Communications & Technology Committee approves bills to increase consumer protections and strengthen state government’s digital defenses

(Oct 07, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 7– Legislation to increase consumer protections and strengthen the state government’s information technology defenses was approved by the PA House Communications and Technology Committee today and sent to the full House for further consideration, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, majority chair of the committee, announced. The bills would protect Pennsylvanians by prohibiting the use of “grinch bot” or “scalper bot” software that automatically purchases event tickets and resells them at a higher price, and by requiring all state IT contracts to meet the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s cybersecurity standards. “These bills will help inform, empower and protect Pennsylvanians from digital technologies used to rip off consumers and compromise residents’ personal data,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. Additionally, the committee approved a House resolution recognizing the historic role newspapers have played in Pennsylvania. The following measures were approved: House Resolution 322 (State Rep. Ben Waxman) would recognize the vital role of the newspaper industry as a pillar of democracy and designate Oct. 5–11, 2025, as National Newspaper Week in Pennsylvania. “I’m glad we are passing this resolution during National Newspaper Week, recognizing the historic role that newspapers have played in the flourishing of democracy in Pennsylvania from colonial times to the Read more

 

Ciresi, Friel to hold town hall with Pottstown NAACP on impact of federal budget cuts, delayed state budget Oct. 15

(Oct 06, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

ROYERSFORD, Oct. 6 – State Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Paul Friel, D-Chester, will hold a town hall with the NAACP’s Pottstown chapter at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the TriCounty Active Adult Center, 288 Moser Road, Pottstown. The representatives’ discussion will focus on the impact of the impact of federal budget cuts and the delayed passage of the state budget on Pennsylvania. Audience participation is strongly encouraged. Read more

 

At the Capitol: Legislation Passed this Week

(Oct 03, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Oct. 3 Read more

 

Ciresi introduces legislation to extend deadlines to appeal Turnpike ‘V-Tolls’

(Oct 03, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 3 –State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, this week introduced House Bill 1916 that would allow drivers at least six months to appeal E-ZPass video tolls and flat video tolls, also known as “v-tolls.” A v-toll is a flat $10 charge made by the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the account of an E-ZPass customer when their E-ZPass transponder was not read by the sensor at a toll booth or gantry. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including if the transponder is improperly installed or malfunctioning, or if there is a technical issue with turnpike sensors. “I’ve introduced this legislation to make sure drivers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike have the opportunity to correct mistakes on their E-ZPass statements and only have to pay what they should owe,” Ciresi said. “The shift to a cashless turnpike and the end of paper tickets and toll booth exit messages makes it less clear if you’re being charged correctly and your transponder is working. Giving drivers more time to appeal overcharges is the fair thing to do.” The Pennsylvania Turnpike began implementing all-electronic tolling in 2016, ending physical cash tolls in 2020 and launching Open Road Tolling in 2025. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Oct 02, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Farm-to-School Grant Program Who May Apply: A school district, school, charter school, private school or center with prekindergarten classes, kindergarten classes, elementary classes or middle school classes through the eighth grade that participates in a Federal child nutrition program Use: To educate prekindergartners through eighth graders and their families about the importance of choosing healthy, locally produced foods and to increase awareness of agriculture in this Commonwealth Funds: Up to $500,000 is expected to be available for the program Application Deadline: November 14, 2025 More information: PDA Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Funds: $400 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis More information: DCED Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school Read more

 

Ciresi’s legislation to expand access to simplified unclaimed property claims unanimously passes the House

(Oct 01, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s longstanding commitment to legislation making it easier and less expensive for Pennsylvanians to claim property that’s rightfully theirs, H.B. 1176, unanimously passed the PA House today. The legislation would: Increase the amount of unclaimed property that heirs can claim from the Pennsylvania Treasury using a notarized relationship affidavit from $11,000 up to $20,000. Raise the amount a financial institution may release to a family member of a deceased individual from $10,000 to $20,000 if the family member presents a receipt verifying funeral expenses have been paid. Redirect the estates of decedents who die with no will and no heirs to an endowed community fund near the place of the decedent’s last residence. The legislation included language from state Rep. Tim Bonner’s H.B. 167 and state Rep. Torren Ecker’s H.B. 1091, both of which were passed approved unanimously by the House Judiciary Committee earlier this year. “Look, millions of properties totaling more than $4 billion are currently sitting in the PA Treasury as unclaimed property because the process to claim it is just too challenging or too expensive -- or both,” Ciresi said. “Part of the reason the money is just sitting there is because we haven’t updated the $11,000 limit for simplified heir claims Read more

 

Ciresi serves up legislation for fresher school lunches

(Sep 30, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, on Monday introduced legislation, H.B. 1890 , to create a pilot program to use scratch cooking in Pennsylvania public schools. The pilot program would have school cafeteria staff employ scratch cooking practices, which uses raw, whole ingredients, instead of pre-packaged or ultra-processed food, as the basis of school meals. “Scratch cooking offers our schools the chance to bring real food back to the lunch table,” Ciresi said. This pilot program would: Provide competitive grants to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) ready to expand or transition to scratch cooking in their cafeterias. Invest in training for food service staff and necessary cafeteria improvements. Gather data on costs, student participation, nutrition outcomes, and operational feasibility to guide future expansion. “At a time when obesity is rising across the country thanks in part to a national diet relying on ultra-processed foods, I consider teaching our kids the benefits of eating fresh food and encouraging the development of healthy eating habits as a fundamental part of the educational project here in Pennsylvania,” Ciresi said. Ciresi pointed to a 2024 study, the largest-ever review of studies about the dangers of diets high in ultra-processed foods, which linked them with increased risks for premature death, cardiovascular disease, mental health disorders, diabetes, obesity, and sleep Read more

 

RSVP to My Oct. 3rd Fraud Event

(Sep 26, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Sept. 26 e-newsletter Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 26, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol (SPEP) Implementation Who May Apply: Non-profit entities and institutions of higher education Use: To assess the quality of services provided to system-involved youth, support providers in creating and implementing quality improvement plans, and measure progress through follow-up evaluations. Funds: A total of $1,400,000 in state Violence and Delinquency Prevention Programs funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant with a budget not to exceed $1,400,000 over the 18-month project period. Application Deadline: October 14, 2025 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Law Enforcement and Youth R/ED Training Who May Apply: Any organization that can demonstrate the ability to provide training and technical assistance to members of law enforcement interacting with youth in their communities, including, but not limited to, police, probation, and school personnel. Use: To provide training and technical assistance to law enforcement entities across the Commonwealth to improve interactions with youth in their communities. Funds: A total of $250,000 in federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant with a budget not to exceed $250,000 over the two-year Read more

 

Ciresi to hold fraud event for area seniors, Friday, Oct. 3

(Sep 25, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

ROYERSFORD, Sept. 25 –State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, will host a fraud event for seniors, “Popular Scams and How to Avoid Them,” from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Oct. 3 at the Royersford Free Public Library. “Our senior population is the biggest target for scams in Pennsylvania, so I wanted to help residents learn how to spot common scams to protect their finances,” Ciresi said. “I am grateful to Ambler Mayor Jeanne Sorg; Erin Cohen from Ambler Savings Bank; and Kate Kleinert from the AARP Consumer Task Force for their presentations that will provide our audience members with critical information and tools to help them safeguard their finances and prevent their lives from being upended by scammers.” At the event, Sorg will give a quick update on FraudSleuth, a property fraud profile feature with automatic alerts offered by the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds. Cohen will give a presentation on check washing and business scams. Kleinert will give a talk on romance scams targeting the senior population. According to the FBI , millions of seniors each year are successfully targeted by scammers, to the tune of $3 billion in losses annually. Seniors are often targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings, are homeowners and have good credit. “As the senior population in Pennsylvania grows, so does the problem of elder fraud,” Ciresi said. “I hope attendees come away with the knowledge Read more

 

Montgomery County federal, state and local officials protest SNAP cuts, changes

(Sep 24, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

POTTSTOWN, Sept. 23 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi and Sen. Art Haywood, both D-Montgomery, spoke today about the impact of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program changes and cuts in Montgomery County. “SNAP has for decades enabled low-income Pennsylvanians to put food on their families’ tables and supported our communities’ social health and economic stability,” Ciresi said. “At a time when food insecurity is growing in Montgomery County, the federal budget cuts and changes to SNAP will have an impact on our communities like that of an asteroid hitting earth. There’ll be a ground zero and then ripples outward from the impact. None of us will be unaffected.” Ciresi said food insecurity in Montgomery County is growing at the time the SNAP cuts are being enacted. According to Feeding America , 9.9% of Montgomery County’s population, or 85,500 people, were food insecure in 2023, and 40% of the population was below the SNAP threshold. According to a 2024 Montgomery County report, SNAP enrollment in Montgomery County had tripled, from 17,194 in 2004 to 62,700 in 2023. “At ground zero, it’s the 144,000 Pennsylvanians—430 in my district—who will lose 100% of their SNAP benefits. These food insecure people will now have to decide whether to eat or to spend their money on necessities—such as rent and utilities or transportation or even laundry detergent for clean clothes. “Next, Read more

 

Budget impacts + 422 updates

(Sep 19, 2025) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Budget impacts + 422 updates Read more

 

Fed govt shutdown impacts SNAP, LIHEAP; State budget impasse
4 hours ago

Get ready to vote; Recap of town hall
Oct 17, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 17, 2025

Ciresi introduces bill to prohibit trespassing using drones
Oct 17, 2025

Ciresi, Friel town hall with Pottstown NAACP highlights negative impact of federal budget cuts, delayed state budget on Pennsylvania
Oct 16, 2025

Ciresi to hold free shred event Oct. 19
Oct 10, 2025

This Week: Wednesday's Town Hall and Sunday's Shredding Event
Oct 10, 2025

More than 100 Days without a Budget Agreement
Oct 10, 2025

House Communications & Technology Committee approves bills to increase consumer protections and strengthen state government’s digital defenses
Oct 07, 2025

Ciresi, Friel to hold town hall with Pottstown NAACP on impact of federal budget cuts, delayed state budget Oct. 15
Oct 06, 2025

At the Capitol: Legislation Passed this Week
Oct 03, 2025

Ciresi introduces legislation to extend deadlines to appeal Turnpike ‘V-Tolls’
Oct 03, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 02, 2025

Ciresi’s legislation to expand access to simplified unclaimed property claims unanimously passes the House
Oct 01, 2025

Ciresi serves up legislation for fresher school lunches
Sep 30, 2025

RSVP to My Oct. 3rd Fraud Event
Sep 26, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 26, 2025

Ciresi to hold fraud event for area seniors, Friday, Oct. 3
Sep 25, 2025

Montgomery County federal, state and local officials protest SNAP cuts, changes
Sep 24, 2025

Budget impacts + 422 updates
Sep 19, 2025