HARRISBURG, April 4 – As an advocate for customer protections in Pennsylvania, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery), announced today he has introduced legislation (H.B. 2186) that would help people avoid falling victim to gift card scams. Read more
National Night Out 2025 is August 5th! Read more
Dear Neighbor, Transportation, specifically PennDOT, is one of the most common touchpoints between people and their state government. It is also one of the many reasons why I hope we will wrap up our state’s 2025-26 budget in the coming days (not weeks). Below is an update about the High Street Bridge that carries vehicles over Sprogel’s Run in Lower Pottsgrove: UPDATE The detour (no left on Sunnybrook Road) will be removed the week of August 4, according to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) . Initial work is wrapping up on the eastern side of the bridge, which permits the termination of this inconvenient detour. Thank you for your patience. I have repeatedly emphasized the importance of moving quickly on these repairs, since this is a vital connection between Pottstown Borough and neighboring townships. Ambulances rush people to the local hospital, while fire trucks need reliable access with minimal detours. Crews will soon begin on the western side (pictured below). This bridge was constructed in 1910 and needs lots of work to ensure safety for travelers. At this time, it remains to be determined if a full replacement or rehabilitation will be selected. A design Read more
Weekly update: Roads, grants, and more Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Main Street Matters (MSM) Who May Apply: Units of local government, redevelopment and/or housing authorities, nonprofits, economic development organizations, housing corporations, community development corporations, business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities. Use: A flexible tool for use in community and economic development for a variety of uses including planning activities, façade grant programs, business improvement grant programs, accessible housing programs, and district development grants. Funds: Individual grant awards vary depending on the type of grant. Application Deadline: August 31, 2025 More information: DCED Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Who May Apply: Municipalities and counties Use: Advance crisis intervention programs that target the risk factors likely to lead to gun violence and implement projects that support emerging issues and priorities adopted within its SCIP Funding Framework. Funds: A combined total of $4,071,291 in federal FY 2022-2023 and FY 2024 Byrne SCIP Local and Under $10K Share funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund approximately 20 grants with budgets not to exceed $200,000 over the Read more
ROYERSFORD, June 13 – Grants totaling $3.85 million assist Montgomery County residents with secure, permanent housing and give existing homeowners the resources needed to repair their aging homes were announced today by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 8 – Legislation aimed at strengthening Pennsylvania consumer protections for online subscriptions, sponsored by Rep. Joe Ciresi, overwhelmingly passed the House today (181-22). “My House Bill 1299 would empower Pennsylvania’s consumers by creating a ‘click to cancel’ rule to make it easy for them to cancel unwanted subscriptions online instead of having to speak with a customer service representative and listen to lengthy sales pitches when they just want to terminate an unwanted subscription quickly,” Ciresi said. “My legislation would also require clarity and transparency in online subscription contracts, so consumers know about the ‘strings’ attached to free gifts and trial periods.” Ciresi’s bill would amend the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law by requiring businesses which offer automatic renewals to: Provide renewal terms, cancellation policy, and how to cancel in a “clear and conspicuous Manner.” Provide a clear and conspicuous explanation of the price that will be charged after a free trial ends and the deadline by which a consumer must cancel to avoid being charged. Allow a customer who signs up online to cancel online (“click to cancel”). Disclose any material changes in the automatic renewal in a clear and conspicuous manner that can also be retained by the consumer. Not intentionally misrepresent automatic Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Who May Apply: Local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies, school districts, tribal governments or nonprofits with a separate eligible applicant. Use: To construct pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve access to public transportation, create safe routes to school, incorporate community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management, provide environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity, create trail projects that serve a transportation purpose, and provide for vulnerable road user safety assessment program projects. Funds: $80 million in funding is available through the Federal Highway Administration’s Surface Block Grant Program. Awards will be at least $50,000 and at maximum $1.5 million. This is a reimbursement program and no funds are provided upfront. Application Deadline: Webinar will be held July 9, 2025. Application period opens July 14, 2025. Draft applications due September 5, 2025. Final applications due October 31, 2025 More information: PennDOT 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 Read more
Read my email update from July 2, 2025 Read more
HARRISBURG, June 11 – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Joe Ciresi ( H.B. 375 ) that would increase residents’ awareness of proposed subdivision and land development projects in their area passed the House today with overwhelming bipartisan support ( 108-95 ). “Residents need to know what developments are going up in their area, but property developers are often leaving them in the dark by just putting up hard-to-see, impossible-to-read ‘notices’ on nothing more than 8½-inch by 11-inch sheets of paper,” Ciresi said. “My bill would help create greater community awareness of proposed developments at negligible costs to the property developer by requiring developers to post conspicuous signs of a minimum size and lettering that detail the project, so they be easily seen from the road.” The legislation would amend the Municipalities Planning Code so that no later than seven days after the first official submission of a subdivision or land development application, the subdivider or developer would post signs a minimum of nine square feet in surface area that can be read from a viewing distance of 50 feet, have a summary title in a minimum of 4-inch lettering, 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. “If we want the public to be more aware of what’s going on in their Read more
HARRISBURG, June 10 – The newly formed House Communications & Technology Committee approved two bills that would strengthen consumer protections for automatically renewing subscriptions in Pennsylvania and sent them to the full House for further consideration, Majority Chair State Rep. Joe Ciresi announced today. The bills would protect Pennsylvanians by creating consumer protection requirements for automatically renewing (negative option) subscription plans and by providing notifications before each automatic renewal, requiring transparency about renewal terms and allowing subscribers to cancel subscription services online, also known as click to cancel. “These bills demonstrate the committee’s continued fulfillment of its mission to empowering the public with clear and accurate communications, ensuring consumers can make informed decisions and companies can’t rely on misleading terms and conditions or making it difficult to cancel a subscription,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “By requiring transparency in companies’ communications about their subscriptions, consumers will save money by being aware of the ‘strings attached’ to certain subscriptions and having adequate time to cancel subscriptions they no longer want prior to automatic renewals.” The following bills were approved: House Bill 129 (Rep. Lisa Borowski) would help inform and empower consumers by requiring pre-renewal reminders and clearly Read more
The Big Questions from This Week's Town Hall! Read more
See You Tonight at My Town Hall! Read more
HARRISBURG, June 3 – The newly formed House Communications & Technology Committee unanimously approved three bills and sent them to the full House for further consideration, Majority Chair state Rep. Joe Ciresi announced today. The bills share a common aim to keep the public informed and empower their voices by enabling them to easily speak to live Commonwealth customer service representatives, by improving communications with law enforcement, and by increasing public awareness of the use of deepfakes in campaigns and providing a mechanism that would prevent the dishonest use of AI technology in elections. “These bills reflect the committee’s commitment to ensuring that all communications in the commonwealth serve our residents by increasing engagement and transparency, whether it’s enabling one of our seniors to easily connect by phone with a live Commonwealth customer service representative, or a crime victim to find out about the criminal’s arrest or protect voters from being misled by deepfakes in campaign ads,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. The following bills were approved: House Bill 197 (Rep. Joe Ciresi) would amend the Right-to-Know Law to require Commonwealth agencies to provide telephone service, enabling people to get the support they need faster and with less hassle. This legislation would benefit people who do not have access to the internet or prefer to speak to a live representative to request help or Read more
HARRISBURG, MAY 30 – The newly formed House Communications & Technology Committee this week held a committee meeting in Pittsburgh which focused on emerging technologies’ benefits to the Pittsburgh region’s economy and how to make Pennsylvania a leader in the field. “The visit to Pittsburgh offered us a vision of how the commonwealth can partner with these emerging technology companies to make Pennsylvania a leader in the field while ensuring that protections are in place so the state’s residents are protected from unethical uses of AI and other technologies,” Ciresi said. “One of the issues brought up was workforce readiness, which is an area that the legislature can support by expanding opportunities for educational and training opportunities in emerging technology fields. I am looking forward to advocating for legislation that will help Pennsylvania take the lead in the field of AI, robotics and the development of new technologies.” At the committee’s informational meeting on May 27, the committee heard from expert faculty at the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University who provided an overview of developments in artificial intelligence and social media technologies and their public policy implications. In addition, the committee held other discussions and heard from industry leaders on the impact of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and Read more
Gov. Shapiro visits Pottstown + Memorial Day Parade Read more
ROYERSFORD, May 21 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, will host a town hall from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 4 at Pottstown High School Auditorium, 750 N. Washington St., Pottstown, where he will answer constituents’ questions and comments (Doors open at 6 p.m.). “I’m looking forward to my June 4 Town Hall meeting and hearing residents’ questions and comments about issues in the district and what’s going on in Harrisburg,” Ciresi said. “I encourage everyone to come out. It’s a great opportunity to have your burning questions answered and to learn what my office can do for you.” The representative and his staff will provide residents with information on state government-related programs and services available to them . Read more
ROYERSFORD, May 16 – State Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Joe Hohenstein joined staff members from service provider KenCrest today to discuss how SMART homes can help more people with disabilities to live independently. Equipped with voice-activated features, plenty of maneuverability for wheelchairs, and small robots that can feed people and offer remote monitoring, a SMART home’s technology can help people with disabilities live on their own. “At a time when there is a critical home care worker shortage, SMART homes are the smart investment in assisted living as they help people with disabilities live independently,” Ciresi said. “Unfortunately, the home’s technology can be cost-prohibitive. For example, a device that can assist with eating independently costs approximately $8,600. Under current Pennsylvania law, there is an individual lifetime cap of $10,000 for assistive technology purchases. That outdated limit poses a big obstacle to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from fulfilling their desire live more independent, safe and fulfilling lives.” “SMART homes provide essential necessities for individuals with disabilities, allowing them to live on their own,” Hohenstein said. "The technology from SMART homes empowers individuals, promotes safety and wellbeing and enhances overall quality of life. I’m proud to be here today to advocate for lifting the $10,000 cap Read more
HARRISBURG, May 9 – The newly formed House Communications & Technology Committee today held an informational meeting with Governor’s Office of Administration Emerging Technologies Director Harrison MacRae on Pennsylvania’s first-in-the-nation program with OpenAI, exploring how artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT could enhance productivity and improve customer service to the commonwealth’s residents. “It’s clear that AI is going to have a significant impact on Pennsylvanians’ lives and thanks to this first-in-the-nation collaboration between the commonwealth and Open AI, we’ve learned key lessons about how integrating AI into the workplace will empower employees,” committee Chair Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, said. “It’s both clear from the testimony today that AI can enhance employee performance in improving outcomes and operations, but is no replacement for employee experience and judgement, which are needed to evaluate and refine ChatGPT’s output.” Following the September 2023 Shapiro Executive Order that established a comprehensive framework for AI governance in Pennsylvania, the commonwealth in January 2024 launched a year-long pilot program with OpenAI’s ChatGPT Enterprise to explore the benefits of generative AI in the workplace. The Office of Administration collaborated with leading generative AI experts and researchers from Carnegie Mellon University Block Center for Read more
Ciresi Spring 2025 Newsletter Read more
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