State Rep. Mary Jo Daley hosted an expert roundtable today on the future of transit funding in Pennsylvania, including for SEPTA. The roundtable featured civic and business leaders who called for immediate funding for SEPTA and explained the economic relationship that transit plays in a world-class city and Pennsylvania. “I have voted five times in the last two House legislative sessions to support statewide transit with dedicated funding,” said Daley, D-Montgomery . “Those measures have been ignored in the state Senate, but we’re still fighting to pass funding this session, possibly along with the state budget. “I am a devoted transit rider, and I’ve had some of my most meaningful conversations while on public transportation. I cut my carbon footprint with SEPTA, and I have met so many new people on SEPTA, because SEPTA is about people. Without it, our region and state would grind to a halt.” SEPTA and other transit systems throughout Pennsylvania are grappling with significant budget shortfalls that put essential transit services at risk. “SEPTA service has a tremendous impact on the economy of our region and state,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer . “Without new funding for transit, SEPTA will be forced to move forward with service cuts that would significantly reduce property values, depress job and earnings growth, and result in hundreds of millions Read more

Under the legislation, students at out-of-state schools would be able to continue seeing their trusted counselor, and hard-working Pennsylvanians traveling for business or working across state lines would have access to virtual sessions that fit their schedules. 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

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: PACTT (Pennsylvania Academic and Career/Technical Training) Grant Who May Apply: All residential facilities, community-based, and/or juvenile probation office providers that are not currently PACTT Affiliates and serve primarily adjudicated delinquent youth. Use: Applicants must ensure that the proposed program and associated expenses directly align with the PACTT affiliation areas (Academics, Job Skills Training, or Work-Related Services) the agency intends to pursue Funds: A total of $160,000 in state JRI funds is being announced to support this initiative among residential facilities, community-based providers, and juvenile probation departments. PCCD expects to fund eight grants with budgets not to exceed $20,000 over a 12-month project period. Application Deadline: July 7, 2025 More information: PCCD Website Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others Use: Create or obtain business plans, management strategies, transition plans, ownership plans, or plans to maintain the long-term economic viability of a farm. Funds: Up to $500,000 is available in grant funding. Individual grants shall not exceed $15,000. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted until funds are exhausted. More information: PDA Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR 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

Gov. Shapiro is calling on the General Assembly to pass the Health System Protection Act, introduced by Sen. Tim Kearney and Rep. Lisa Borowski. The Act is designed to protect our health care system — including hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities — from private equity bad actors who have pillaged our health care system and caused the shuttering of systems across the Commonwealth, and had negative impacts on care and services at others that remained open. Read more

“This is one of those pivotal moments for us as lawmakers elected by the people to represent their interests. How we choose to respond to the crisis private equity firms are inflicting on our healthcare system will speak volumes to Pennsylvanians about our courage to do what’s right,” Rep. Borowski said. Read more