INDIANA, Aug. 20 – The House Communications & Technology Committee held an informational meeting in Indiana, Pa. Tuesday to learn about broadband affordability and access in Pennsylvania. “Low-cost, high-speed broadband is fundamental to a healthy and prosperous Pennsylvania. From helping Pennsylvania residents get the training necessary to be competitive in the workforce and be able to access essential services that will keep their families healthy to enabling our industries to capitalize on new economic opportunities and support our workforce, broadband equity is central to Pennsylvania’s future,” said Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, House Communications & Technology Committee Majority chair. “As the world hurtles forward along the information superhighway, our low-income and rural residents are being left behind due to the high cost of broadband and a lack of infrastructure. Investment in low-cost, high-speed broadband will help ensure the even development of Pennsylvania’s economy, supporting the growth of strong, healthy communities throughout the commonwealth for years to come.” Speakers included: Sharene Hess, Indiana County commissioner Jody Rainey, principal, Homer-Center Jr/Sr High School John B. Horrigan, Ph.D., senior fellow, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Christopher Ali, Ph.D., pioneers chair in telecommunications, Pennsylvania State University Dustin Bishop, project Read more

ROYERSFORD, Aug. 18 – House Communications & Technology Committee Majority Chair Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today issued a statement applauding Gov. Josh Shapiro’s executive order holding data center developers accountable and protecting Pennsylvanians: “I applaud Governor Shapiro’s executive order to protect Pennsylvanians from unregulated data center development in the face of Senate Republican inaction on legislation passed by the House. “I was pleased that the executive order incorporates provisions from my bill prohibiting non-disclosure agreements between data centers and public officials. These protections will help ensure that the public is no longer kept in the dark about how data centers could affect their communities, environment and quality of life. “This executive order will foster the accountability, transparency and public involvement Pennsylvania needs for data center development to move forward.” Read more

STATE COLLEGE, Aug. 12 – The PA House Communications & Technology Committee held an informational meeting in State College Tuesday to learn about the potential benefits that the development of quantum technologies could bring to Pennsylvania. Quantum technology uses quantum physics to create new capabilities in computing, sensing, communications, and cybersecurity that current technologies cannot achieve. “Quantum technologies are the next frontier, and we owe it to Pennsylvania and its people to connect and scale up the tremendous assets we already have -- our universities, manufacturers, technology, and people -- to develop the commonwealth into a world-class leader in the industry,” state Rep. Joe Ciresi, the committee’s chairman, said. “When Pennsylvania leads in innovation, our residents will reap substantial dividends for decades in high-paying jobs and stronger communities. “A key benefit of acting now before the quantum economy arrives is that we can ensure we have the right workforce education and training in place so that our residents can benefit from jobs in emerging and future technologies, but also so that our state and local governments are resilient and prepared for the very real cybersecurity risks that quantum computing will bring.” Speakers included: Matt Brandsema, associate research professor and Quantum & Multiphysics Department head, Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State Jen Read more

CHESTER, Aug. 5 – State Rep. Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, announced today that Marcus Hook Borough will receive a Green Light-Go grant of $ 62,944 to support traffic signal system modernization upgrades at the intersection of 10th Street and Market Street. “This funding will help make a key community crossroads safer for drivers, pedestrians, and residents by improving the intersection and increasing traffic safety,” Kazeem said. “The state funding will have a long-term positive impact on the continued development of Marcus Hook’s downtown, making it an even more vibrant and welcoming place to live, work and visit.” The Greenlight-Go Program is a competitive state grant program designed to improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals in Pennsylvania and is administered by the state Transportation Department. Applicants are required to provide a 20% match. Funding may be used for traffic signal retiming; study and removal of unwarranted traffic-control signals; monitoring of traffic signal corridors; innovative technologies; installation, upgrade or maintenance of traffic signal communication systems; upgrade or installation of detection systems and controllers; modernization upgrades; implementation of intelligent transportation system applications; or to replace traditional or LED bulbs with new LED bulbs. Read more

ROYERSFORD, Aug. 5 – A longtime advocate for infrastructure investments in Pottstown, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, today announced that Pottstown will receive a Green Light-Go grant of $ 632,000 to modernize traffic signals and improve pedestrian accessibility. The funding will support upgrades at the intersections of Route 100 and King Street and Route 100 and Shoemaker Road, enhancing pedestrian safety, improving traffic flow and increasing accessibility for residents and visitors. “This funding will make Pottstown a safer, more connected place,” Ciresi said. “Modernized traffic signals and improved pedestrian accessibility will increase safety and improve mobility to create a more welcoming community for those who live and work here while supporting the borough’s continued economic growth.” The Greenlight-Go Program is a competitive state grant program designed to improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals in Pennsylvania and is administered by the state Transportation Department. Applicants are required to provide a 20% match. Funding may be used for traffic signal retiming; study and removal of unwarranted traffic-control signals; monitoring of traffic signal corridors; innovative technologies; installation, upgrade or maintenance of traffic signal communication systems; upgrade or installation of detection systems and controllers; modernization upgrades; implementation of intelligent Read more

UPPER DARBY, July 29 – The Delaware County House Delegation today released the following statement on the race-based threats received by Delaware County Sheriff Siddiq Kamara: “The Delaware County House Delegation unequivocally condemns the recent terroristic threats directed at Delaware County Sheriff Siddiq Kamara. There is no place for intimidation, violence or hate against those who choose to serve and live in any community in our county and the state. “Public servants regardless of political party, position or ideology should never be subjected to threats of violence for carrying out their sworn responsibilities, or for their faith, background or culture. An attack or threat against one public official is an attack on the principles of democracy, public service and the rule of law that bind our Commonwealth together. “As members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, we stand in unwavering solidarity with Sheriff Kamara, his family and the dedicated professionals of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. We also stand with Delaware County's diverse communities, including our vibrant immigrant communities, who deserve to live free from fear, hate and intimidation. Now that an arrest has been made, those responsible for these terroristic threats must be held fully accountable and a clear precedent must be set that such acts of intimidation and violence against public servants will not be Read more

HARRISBURG, July 23 – State Rep. Tim Briggs, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, today expressed his support for legislation that responds to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision in Commonwealth v. Lee by reforming second-degree murder sentencing while advancing additional criminal justice reforms focused on rehabilitation, accountability and fairness. House Bill 1042 , which passed the House with bipartisan support and now heads to the Senate for further consideration, addresses the court’s ruling that automatic life-without-parole sentences for individuals convicted of second-degree murder under the felony murder rule are unconstitutional. “Pennsylvania’s justice system must uphold both public safety and constitutional protections,” Briggs said. “This legislation provides a responsible path forward by ensuring that sentences are based on an individual’s level of culpability while maintaining safeguards to protect our communities.” Under the bill, the automatic life-without-parole sentence for second-degree murder would be replaced with sentencing that considers an offender’s specific role and level of culpability. Individuals convicted of second-degree murder who receive a life sentence would become eligible to petition for parole consideration after serving 30 years. Briggs emphasized that parole eligibility is not parole, and the legislation does not guarantee release for Read more

HARRISBURG, July 22 – State Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Lee James, R-Venango/Crawford, have introduced House Bill 2709 to increase annual funding for Pennsylvania's Entertainment Economic Enhancement Program (EEEP) by $2 million, from $24 million to $26 million, to attract more touring Broadway productions to the commonwealth. According to Ciresi and James, touring Broadway productions require weeks of technical rehearsals and tour preparations, resulting in extended stays for visiting artists, crew and staff. These long stays generate significant business for local hospitality, restaurant and service businesses. Productions also create new jobs for Pennsylvania workers, including union stagehands, truck drivers, technicians, and other support staff. The EEEP currently provides a tax credit equal to 35% of qualified Pennsylvania expenditures for show design, construction, and operations. If enacted, House Bill 2709 would increase funding to enable venues like the Pittsburgh Cultural District and the Kimmel Center to host more Broadway tour launches. Each production can bring in more than 100 visiting artists and staff where they would work alongside local crews for several weeks. Ciresi and James point to Ohio as an example of the bill’s potential impact. In 2025, Ohio invested $3.5 million in tax incentives to attract four Broadway tours. The funded projects are expected to create more than 1,000 new jobs, generate $150 million in Read more