Rep. Joseph Ciresi | NewsCenter Search Page

Ciresi introduces legislation to prevent gift card scams

Rep. Joseph Ciresi

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

News Center

Ciresi’s ‘Click to Cancel’ legislation for recurring subscriptions passes House

(Oct 21, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s legislation (H.B. 116) that would increase consumer protections by requiring companies to provide a notification before each automatic renewal, to be transparent about renewal terms, and to allow subscribers to cancel subscription services online if they initially subscribed over the Internet unanimously passed the House today. “The situation too many consumers face today is that their online contracts often automatically renew without them being notified or even aware,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “Making matters worse is that some subscription services require consumers to jump through hoops just to cancel their subscription, such as by forcing them to call or speak to an online representative before they can end the service. “My legislation, ‘Click to Cancel,’ would make consumers aware of their active subscriptions and their renewal terms and empower them to easily cancel their subscriptions. This bill would require that subscriptions be transparent and easy to understand.” Ciresi’s legislation 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. Allow a customer who signs up online to be allowed to cancel online. Any material changes in the automatic renewal must be provided in a clear and Read more

Ciresi introduces bill to create license plate supporting the arts in PA

(Oct 17, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today introduced H.B. 2636 that would create a license plate celebrating the arts in Pennsylvania. “From Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens to the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, artistic attractions exist in every corner of our great state,” Ciresi said. “To allow Pennsylvanians to show their pride in the arts and spread awareness of their role in our lives, I’ve introduced legislation to allow individuals to purchase a special arts license plate.” According to Ciresi, the creative sector is fourth largest economic sector in Pennsylvania, contributing billions to the state’s economy and employing many Pennsylvanians. Many communities have turned to the arts as a means for new identity and revitalization. Tourists come from around the world to visit Pennsylvania’s world-class artistic institutions, while the arts offer entertainment and enrichment for Pennsylvanians of all classes and backgrounds. “I want supporters of the arts in Pennsylvania to be able to proudly purchase and display these plates, as a show of support for our vibrant arts culture,” Ciresi said. “Proceeds from the purchases of this license plate would support the arts in Pennsylvania, going to the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to add to the grants they award to fund artistic endeavors throughout the state.” As proposed by H.B. 2636, the arts license plate would Read more

Ciresi announces $350K grant for Pottstown School District

(Oct 15, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 15 – The Pottstown School District will be granted over $350,000 in federal funding as part of Cohort 12 of the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grants, state Rep. Joe Ciresi announced today. The funds, one in a series of 21st Century Community Learning Center grants administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), would help establish and/or support community learning centers that provide academic, artistic and cultural enrichment opportunities for students and their families. “This new funding will help ensure students in the Pottstown School District have access to a wide range of programs and services they need, providing academic, artistic and cultural enrichment opportunities for students that will help them succeed in school and in life,” Ciresi said. The funded program must occur during non-school hours or periods when schools are not in session to help them meet state and local standards in core academic subjects. Centers must also offer students a broad array of activities that can complement their regular academic programs and literacy and other educational services to families. Other 21st Century CCLC grant recipients in Cohort 12 that were announced earlier this year can be found here . Read more

Parking a non-EV in an EV-designated spot could soon cost you

(Oct 11, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Parking a non-electric vehicle in a spot reserved for an electric vehicle could carry a hefty fine under a bill moving in the Pennsylvania House. Read more

'Cancel Plan?’: PA Lawmakers Tackle Subscription Transparency

(Oct 11, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Many constituents - especially senior citizens - are frustrated with unclear policies around subscriptions. Read more

Ciresi presents $50K check for The Carousel at Pottstown’s renovations

(Oct 08, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 8 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, presented a mock check representing the $50,000 grant he secured from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for renovations to The Carousel at Pottstown. Read more

Pa. House passes legislation freezing property taxes for longtime homeowners

(Oct 08, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 8 – The Pennsylvania House on Monday unanimously passed a bill aimed at freezing property taxes for longtime homeowners. House Bill 2536 would amend the state constitution by removing the limitation permitting Longtime Owner-Occupant Programs only in Allegheny and Philadelphia counties, thereby enabling future legislation to allow all local taxing authorities the option to adopt such a program to provide greater levels of tax relief to seniors. LOOPs provide property tax relief to homeowners who have lived in their homes for at least 10 years by exempting or deferring property tax increases – even if their home assessment values increase in future years. “We’ve been hearing about the impact high property taxes have, particularly on our senior citizens, for decades, so I am very pleased that my colleagues in the House unanimously supported our bill,” said state Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Chester , who sponsored the bill. “This legislation would provide local governments a way to help those who have lived in their homes over a decade and have felt the burden of rapidly rising property taxes the most. Our state constitution already allows Philadelphia and Allegheny counties the option of creating LOOPs. It’s time to make this mechanism available to the whole state. I believe creating options to address property tax burdens on an ever-aging state is a worthwhile endeavor.” Read more

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Oct 04, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS 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 Transportation: Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Who May Apply: Municipalities, councils of government, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, ports and rail freight entities. Use: To improve transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit revitalization. Funds: The MTF requires a 30% match of the amount award. Awards are available for projects with a minimum cost of $100,000 and no more than $3,000,000. Application Deadline: November 5, 2024 More information: PennDOT website Office of the State Fire Commissioner: Unconventional Gas Well Fund Who May Apply: Volunteer and career fire, EMS, and rescue companies in counties where unconventional gas well drilling is permitted and counties that directly border permitted counties and respond to related emergencies. Use: Funds may be used for certification, equipment, and Read more

Ciresi’s bill to prevent confusion in insurance ambulance reimbursement

(Oct 03, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Oct. 3 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today introduced legislation (H.B. 2618) designed to prevent confusion when patients receive insurance reimbursement checks for ambulance services. According to Ciresi, many people receiving these payments from their insurance company in the mail misspend the funds, not realizing the money is to pay for an ambulance ride or other EMS services and are then liable for delayed or missed payments to the EMS provider, collection efforts, or even theft charges. Ciresi stressed that EMS providers are losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in needed revenue as a result of this confusion and are forced to divert resources to trying to collect that money. “My legislation would resolve this confusion by simply requiring a noticeable, red-colored letter to be included with any insurance reimbursement checks for EMS services sent directly to the patient,” Ciresi said. “The letter would clearly explain the purpose of the check and outline the patient’s responsibilities so that they don’t keep or spend it by mistake. At a time when our EMS agencies are already struggling with funding, they would greatly benefit from this simple solution to a chronic issue that is causing them financial distress.” Read more

Grants, Sept. 25

(Sep 25, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) Please note, the NAP is broken down into 5 programs (The Neighborhood Assistance Program, the Special Program Priorities, the Charitable Food Program, the Neighborhood Partnership Program, and the Enterprise Zone Program). Please visit the DCED website for specifics on each program. Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations Use: The goals of the Programs are to promote community participation and collaborations among the residents, nonprofits and businesses while producing outcomes by assisting a distressed area or the low-income population in a neighborhood. Eligible neighborhood nonprofits apply for tax credits based on pending contributions from for-profit companies. Funds: The total available NAP tax credit amount has increased from $36 million to $72 million. Application Deadline: October 25, 2024 More information: DCED Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Continuing County Adult Probation and Parole Grant Program Who May Apply: Counties Use: The primary purpose of the CCAPPG funds is to provide funding from the Commonwealth for costs incurred by the county for the supervision of adult offenders. Funds: PCCD is announcing a total of $16,150,000 in state Continuing County Adult Probation and Parole Grant funds. PCCD expects to fund up to 65 county adult probation Read more

Grants, Sept. 25

(Sep 25, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Fall 2024 NL

(Sep 19, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

Fall 2024 NL Read more

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 17, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Office of the State Fire Commissioner: Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program Who May Apply: All fire companies, emergency medical services, and volunteer rescue squads Use: Eligible projects include but are not limited to facility renovations, equipment purchases, debt reduction, training, education, and recruitment and retention. Funds: Awards may range from $2,500 to $20,000 for fire/rescue companies and $2,500 to $15,000 for EMS companies. Application Deadline: October 20, 2024 More information: OSFC Website Drug and Alcohol Programs: Substance Use Disorder Drop-In Centers Who May Apply: Applicant must have at least two years of experience as of July 1, 2024, in providing SUD prevention, intervention, harm reduction, treatment, or recovery support services, drop-in center services or relevant services and shall have the capacity to provide SUD drop-in center services to individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) and other concurrent SUD. Use: DDAP will provide funds from the Opioid Settlement to drop-in centers or other human service organizations looking to expand their community-driven harm reduction support services to increase overdose prevention and linkage to SUD treatment and recovery support services. The goal is to provide hope, support, and resources to assist those on their road to recovery Funds: DDAP expects to award approximately 14 grants totaling $1,875,000 each. Application Read more

Nearly $40K for Pottstown Borough to provide critical law enforcement upgrades and support for crime victims

(Sep 16, 2024) Rep. Joseph Ciresi

HARRISBURG, Sept. 16 – Pottstown Borough has received $39,935 in funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to provide for critical law enforcement equipment upgrades and support crime victims, state Rep. Joe Ciresi said. The funds can be used to address the following: improve crime reporting, help law enforcement upgrade equipment, support victims of crime and victim service providers, and support county jail-based medication-assisted treatment for individuals with substance use. “This state funding will address two critical needs: the necessity for better crime reporting and funding to support victims of violent crimes. The FBI has a fantastic reporting system that enables local and state police to track and therefore crack down on crime trends,” Ciresi said. “Thanks to this grant, Pottstown Borough will be able to upgrade its law enforcement equipment so it can report its data to the FBI to get more accurate data so the Pottstown Borough police can do their jobs more efficiently and effectively and Pottstown will be a safer place to live and work.” By upgrading its law enforcement system so it can report crime statistics to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, Pottstown Borough will be able to accurately capture and track jurisdiction and state-specific crime trends. Pottstown Borough can use the funding to support victim service providers who aid Pennsylvanians Read more