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Ciresi introduces legislation to prevent gift card scams

Rep. Joseph Ciresi

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VIDEO: We Need a Definitive Plan to Reopen Schools Safely

(Jul 02, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Amid COVID-19 concerns, Pa. state Rep. Joe Ciresi took part in a House Democratic Policy Committee discussion about ways to reopen schools safely ahead of the upcoming school year. Read more

 

Help is available for individuals, small businesses

(Jun 30, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

I wanted to highlight some assistance that is available to individuals and small businesses who are struggling financially because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic slowdowns. Read more

 

Ciresi, O’Neal call for investigation into unemployment system failures

(Jun 30, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

“Week after week, year after year, most workers contributed to the Unemployment Trust Fund through payroll deductions,” Ciresi said. “Yet the failures of this system have left too many without income during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when they need these benefits more than ever.” Read more

 

Small Business Assistance grants available

(Jun 29, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Applications are expected to be available June 30 for a new program aimed at providing critical funding to local businesses hurt by the coronavirus. The first round of the $225 million COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance grant program is expected to open for applications on Tuesday, June 30 and will remain open for 10 business days. Additionally, applications will continue to be accepted after 10 business days to be considered for future rounds of funding. Those rounds will be announced soon. This program will award grants ranging from $5,000 - $50,000 to small businesses economically impacted by the coronavirus, and money is specifically set aside for businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people. For an application preparation checklist, criteria for eligibility and consideration, and a full list of participating Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), please click below to go to the COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance website. https://pabusinessgrants.com/ Read more

 

PennDOT and SEPTA updates, and a grant for TRAAC -- EBLAST for June 26

(Jun 26, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Email features updates from PennDOT and SEPTA, plus info on a grant for a local senior center. Read more

 

Ciresi touts unanimous passage of bill protecting mobile home owners

(Jun 25, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Ciresi was an early cosponsor of the bill, supported it in the Local Government Committee and authored an amendment that ensures the most recent evaluating manual would be used to properly assess the value of manufactured homes. Read more

 

Ciresi praises passage of cosponsored police reform bills

(Jun 24, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

“Today’s unanimous votes are a significant first step toward addressing social justice issues that have driven a divide between law enforcement and the community,” Ciresi said. “To bridge that gap, we have much work still to do. This legislation marks the beginning of necessary work we all must do – as a commonwealth and as fellow human beings – to rebuild trust and fulfill our obligation to equal justice under the law.” Read more

 

Ciresi secures grant for Pottstown Tri-County Area Active Adult Center

(Jun 24, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Funding secured through the grant will allow the Tri-County Area Active Adult Center to repair and seal its parking lot, in addition to maintenance, re-painting and grading work. Ciresi said the project will create a safer and more resilient surface and improve convenience for the more-than 200 older adults who visit the center daily. Read more

 

Ciresi slams latest Tower Health insult to Pottstown

(Jun 24, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

“How much in uncompensated care is the Pottstown Hospital providing, to justify its non-profit status? Our constituents deserve more than talking points from a hospital spokesman. It’s a shame.” Read more

 

Ciresi legislation would allow municipal boards to meet remotely during emergencies

(Jun 23, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

“My bill would make sure that local boards and commissions can continue to conduct public business in any situation, be it the COVID-19 pandemic or anything that might happen in the future.” Read more

 

Southeast PA is ‘Going Green’ -- EBLAST for June 22

(Jun 22, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Plus updates from the office, a local traffic update, and hunting licenses now available. Read more

 

Ciresi condemns PennDOT decision to defund local projects

(Jun 18, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

MONTGOMERY COUNTY Pa., June 17 –State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today condemned PennDOT’s decision to revoke two Green Light-Go grants that were awarded to projects in his district. “These grants were awarded to projects in our district as part of the 2017 Green Light-Go grant cycle. With significant work and resources already invested in these projects, there’s no reason that we should not be able to move forward with construction,” Ciresi said. “Both of these projects would have significantly improved safety and traffic flow at key regional arteries. PennDOT backing out of its commitments presents a major challenge to our involved municipalities and I urge the department to reverse this decision and restore funding.” The grants are concerning the two following projects: $232,000 would have been used on Linfield-Trappe Road/Township Line Road for a Traffic Signal Modernization project in Limerick and Upper Providence townships. The project was days away from having a bid awarded. $252,800 would have been used to make improvements at the intersections of Main Street and Route 113 and at the Trappe Center in Trappe Borough. Design work on the project was nearing completion. Ciresi said PennDOT noted a funding shortfall caused by the pandemic. For more information, contact Ciresi’s office at 484-200-8265. Read more

 

State legislators: PCCD grants will help at-risk parents and children

(Jun 10, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, June 10 – The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency awarded two Montgomery County programs a total of $247,007 to meet the needs of Montgomery County children and parents affected by domestic violence, substance abuse and crime. Family Services of Montgomery County, in partnership with the Montgomery County Reentry Initiative, was awarded $147,010 in Violence and Delinquency Prevention Program funding to expand the Positive Parenting Program helping parents who are recently released from incarceration. Montgomery County Children’s Advocacy Center’s Mission Kids program will receive $99,997 to continue family advocacy work, particularly to accompany children to medical evaluations court appearances. “In addition to providing direct support to returning parents, this money also supports a key position at Mission Kids,” said state Rep. Steve Malagari, D-Montgomery. “With the increased demands for these services, Mission Kids needs a family advocate who can appropriately support the needs of our communities.” "In my role as a state representative – specifically with regard to my position on the Children and Youth Committee – and most importantly in my role as a parent, the safety and wellness of children and families will always be my top priority,” said state Rep. Ben Sanchez, D-Montgomery. “That is why I am grateful for this opportunity to improve Read more

 

Ciresi-backed $225 Million Small Business Grant Program Announced

(Jun 09, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, June 9 –State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today thanked Gov. Tom Wolf for opening a $225 million grant program for Small Businesses that have suffered from losses due to COVID-19. Funding was allocated in the recently passed state budget, voted for by Ciresi. “Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and this program ensures they remain the backbone of our communities even after suffering during this global pandemic,” Ciresi said. “I wrote the governor personally that loans were not enough, and worked with other members in the House to draft legislation that would have created our own Ultra-Small Business Grant Program and a grant program to help businesses adjust operations to safely reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am glad that we started the conversation and that these ideas were incorporated into this announcement and will provide significant relief for many small business owners.” Ciresi and state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Greene, had previously introduced H.B. 2452 to create a grant program for small businesses, and are working on legislation to create a grant program to help small businesses implement COVID-19 mitigation measures for safe reopening. The $225 million federally-funded statewide grant program announced by Wolf this week includes $100 million for the Main Street Business Revitalization Program, $100 million for the Historically Read more

 

Ciresi thanks Wolf for reopening outdoor dining in Yellow Phase

(May 29, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

ROYERSFORD, May 29 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today thanked Gov. Tom Wolf for his latest announcement of additional guidance on dining during the Yellow and Green phases of reopening and additional details on personal care services, like hair salons and barbershops starting operations in the Green Phase. After working closely with several of his state House colleagues, Ciresi wrote a letter to the governor seeking the ability for those businesses to reopen. "I wrote to the governor and he responded with action,” Ciresi said. “We have been working together to show that we take this pandemic seriously and want to open in a safe and cautionary manner. Outdoor eating is one way we can do that. I want to thank the governor for listening to our concerns and further clarifying this process of reopening. Our dining establishments and hair salons can rest easier knowing that soon they will start to get back to business, in the Yellow and Green phases, respectively. Safety remains my number one priority, and I look forward to continuing to work together with these industries and the administration so that we can reopen while still following safety guidelines." Ciresi was joined by state Reps. Steve Malagari, Christina Sappey, Tina Davis, Dave Delloso, Jennifer O’Mara, Dan Williams, Danilo Burgos, Tim Briggs, Melissa Shusterman, Austin Davis, and Bill Kortz in calling for these changes. The letter was Read more

 

Ciresi votes for emergency property tax and small business relief, nursing home pandemic response

(May 29, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, May 28 –State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced that he has voted in favor of several fiscal code bills, including House Bill 2510 and House Bill 1083 , to provide emergency funding and property tax relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Working together in a bipartisan fashion, we were able to compromise on a fiscal code that I am comfortable passing and moving forward,” Ciresi said. “It isn’t perfect, but our budgets rarely are. Nursing homes and small businesses are struggling across the state right now, and this funding for pandemic response, medical supplies, and business relief will provide a critical lifeline. With additional property tax relief funding, continued state funding for education, and a new program for emergency rent and mortgage assistance, I am also proud that we are delivering on much-needed housing and property tax assistance, even though we have more work left to do.” The fiscal code provided for a $300 million transfer from the federally-funded COVID-19 Response Restricted Account to the Property Tax Relief Fund, bringing the fund’s total for statewide property tax relief to $621 million. The fiscal code bills passed out of the House on May 28 would provide several measures that Ciresi has been working on in the legislature and pushing to include in this budget process, including: COVID-19 Relief County Block Read more

 

Ciresi appalled at lack of transparency and disclosure of COVID-positive House member

(May 28, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

ROYERSFORD, May 28 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, learned for the first time Wednesday that a sitting member of the Pennsylvania House had tested positive for COVID-19. Between May 20, when the representative received the test result, and Wednesday afternoon, members of the General Assembly, and all staff, faculty, security, and other personnel went about their business without the knowledge that a House member had tested positive for this deadly virus. "I am thankful that our colleague has made a full recovery, but I am appalled over this situation. The entire General Assembly should have been made aware of the positive case immediately,” Ciresi said. “Not only was the non-disclosure selfish, it caused unnecessary risk and violated the trust of fellow members." Ciresi serves on the State Government Committee. Another member of that committee, who never tested positive, is emerging from quarantine today. According to his social media accounts, Human Resources advised the member to quarantine due to his risk of the positive case through contact tracing. Centers for Disease and Control guidance was followed from that point forward. “My colleague on the State Government Committee did not reveal this information either, which is equally appalling,” Ciresi said. “While the COVID-19 positive lawmaker emerging from quarantine today was last in the Capitol on May 14, the situation Read more

 

Ciresi announces $28K grant to help fight hunger and prevent food waste at Open Door Ministry

(May 27, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

ROYERSFORD, May 27 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced that a $28,915 grant has been awarded to Royersford’s Open Door Ministry. Open Door Ministry provides human services and support, including a weekly food pantry, for the Spring-Ford area of Montgomery County. "Grants like this help our food banks keep their promise to always be there for those in need,” Ciresi said. “With the increases in numbers at our local food banks and pantries during this time, we must make sure we’re doing everything we can to help feed our neighbors and loved ones. These grants will help acquire refrigeration equipment to keep the shelf life of foods lasting longer, and ultimately providing more food to the public. I am happy to see this money being used to help some of our most vulnerable." The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increased demand on charitable food systems. The Wolf administration will be awarding more than $9 million to nonprofit entities for projects to fight hunger and prevent food waste. The awards come from the expanded Food Recovery Infrastructure grant program announced in April. This program ensures food banks are adequately supplied to meet the needs of Pennsylvania residents. The full list of recipients is available here . Unused or unsold food can be dangerous for the environment. It ends up in landfills, where it can biodegrade and release Read more

 

Ciresi calls on Gov. Wolf to open restaurants and hair salons in Yellow Phase

(May 27, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Pa., May 26 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced that he has written a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf, signed by several other Pennsylvania House members, that would urge him to allow restaurants, hair salons and barbershops to open with limited capacity in the Yellow Phase. Ciresi stressed appropriate safety measures and guidelines would have to be met to reopen. "We have seen how our grocery stores and other businesses have adapted to this crisis,” Ciresi said. “This letter is merely a call to amend the Yellow Phase as it is currently to allow hair salons, barbershops, and restaurants to safely reopen as well. Protecting lives is my top priority, but we also need to make sure our small businesses do not have to close their doors permanently over this pandemic. Reopening can be done safely, and we have the protective equipment and cleaning procedures to follow mitigation guidelines." Ciresi was joined by state Reps. Steve Malagari, Christina Sappey, Tina Davis, Dave Delloso, Jennifer O’Mara, Dan Williams, Danilo Burgos, Tim Briggs, Melissa Shusterman, and Austin Davis in calling for these changes. The letter was also accompanied by proposed safety guidelines for barbershops. Limited capacity for these businesses would mean 50% of their capacity limit during the Yellow Phase and 80% during the Green Phase. This would also include full use of outdoor seating, Read more

 

Ciresi announces plan to get American flags to local veterans groups before Memorial Day

(May 20, 2020) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

MONTGOMERY, May 20 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced that he will be working to place American flags in the hands of local veterans groups in time for Memorial Day. "The Pottstown-Royersford-Trappe region is home to a lot of proud veterans,” Ciresi said. “When I heard that Montgomery County would be delaying the distribution of flags to veterans groups this year, I wanted to help fill the need. Our veterans and their families can now pay their respects over the Memorial Day weekend while practicing social distancing and taking proper precautions. I would especially like to thank Bill Pinkerton, president of Veterans in Recovery, for his help in distributing flags." Beginning May 20, more than 200 American flags will be available for pickup behind Ciresi's district office in Royersford, located at 301 N. Lewis Road in Montgomery County, with additional rear parking off Oak Street. To honor our fallen heroes over the Memorial Day weekend, these free flags are especially important this year because Montgomery County has delayed the distribution of flags due to COVID-19 concerns. An additional 300 flags will be distributed to the local VFW for placement at the Fernwood and Limerick Garden of Memories cemeteries, as well as 500 flags to Edgewood Cemetery in Pottstown. For constituents picking up flags at the district office, Ciresi asks you to consider donating a Read more

 

VIDEO: We Need a Definitive Plan to Reopen Schools Safely
Jul 02, 2020

Help is available for individuals, small businesses
Jun 30, 2020

Ciresi, O’Neal call for investigation into unemployment system failures
Jun 30, 2020

Small Business Assistance grants available
Jun 29, 2020

PennDOT and SEPTA updates, and a grant for TRAAC -- EBLAST for June 26
Jun 26, 2020

Ciresi touts unanimous passage of bill protecting mobile home owners
Jun 25, 2020

Ciresi praises passage of cosponsored police reform bills
Jun 24, 2020

Ciresi secures grant for Pottstown Tri-County Area Active Adult Center
Jun 24, 2020

Ciresi slams latest Tower Health insult to Pottstown
Jun 24, 2020

Ciresi legislation would allow municipal boards to meet remotely during emergencies
Jun 23, 2020

Southeast PA is ‘Going Green’ -- EBLAST for June 22
Jun 22, 2020

Ciresi condemns PennDOT decision to defund local projects
Jun 18, 2020

State legislators: PCCD grants will help at-risk parents and children
Jun 10, 2020

Ciresi-backed $225 Million Small Business Grant Program Announced
Jun 09, 2020

Ciresi thanks Wolf for reopening outdoor dining in Yellow Phase
May 29, 2020

Ciresi votes for emergency property tax and small business relief, nursing home pandemic response
May 29, 2020

Ciresi appalled at lack of transparency and disclosure of COVID-positive House member
May 28, 2020

Ciresi announces $28K grant to help fight hunger and prevent food waste at Open Door Ministry
May 27, 2020

Ciresi calls on Gov. Wolf to open restaurants and hair salons in Yellow Phase
May 27, 2020

Ciresi announces plan to get American flags to local veterans groups before Memorial Day
May 20, 2020