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
“This change will allow the Pennsylvania Lottery to more effectively compete with other forms of entertainment and put the lottery on better financial footing,” Shusterman said. “Removing the profit margin ensures the continued health of the lottery, helping our aging population maintain their independence and quality of life.” 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
“Pennsylvania’s public gardens and public horticulture institutions preserve thousands of acres of natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds and healthy private working lands and bring together a wide array of expertise, approaches and solutions that are essential for biodiversity in food and agriculture,” Sappey said. “They bring many benefits, including education, community partnerships and development, research, agricultural cultivation, tourism and conservation. They also provide a place of beauty as they connect all of us with life affirming plants.” Read more
HARRISBURG, May 14 – In concert with Mental Health Awareness Month, state Rep. Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery, today highlighted the need for Pennsylvania school coaches to receive mental health training. She was joined by students, coaches, and friends and relatives of students who have struggled with mental health issues or been lost to suicide. Daley’s upcoming bill would require that coaches receive mental health awareness training similar to training required of other school personnel. The bill would also ensure that all students, their parents or guardians, athletic staff and extracurricular advisors are informed of the availability of mental health services within their school and/or local community. “School is the central part of a young person’s life for the majority of our first two decades,” Daley said. “For many students, school isn’t just about classes – it’s where they grow, socialize and find their sense of belonging. Extracurriculars like sports often deepen that connection, making school a really big part of their daily lives. That’s why the role of teachers, coaches and mentors is so critical. These dedicated individuals shape lives not just by teaching lessons or leading practice, but by being present, involved and supportive.” A recent study surveying more than 10,000 coaches found that only 18% of youth coaches feel highly confident in their ability to link Read more
“Funding struggles can result in staffing shortages and increased response times, which can make the difference between life and death. This legislation is a simple but important step in increasing funding opportunities for our first responders,” he said. “With this funding, our first responders can increase staffing and upgrade equipment. This option should also be extended to all townships of the second class.” Read more
HARRISBURG, May 14 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, chaired by state Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery), advanced bills today aimed at strengthening public safety, supporting working families, and protecting vulnerable populations across the Commonwealth. The legislation addresses compassionate release for seriously ill incarcerated individuals, parental rights, child exploitation laws and oversight of illicit vapor products. “Today’s committee action reflects our commitment to practical, thoughtful and bipartisan solutions that respond to real needs in our communities,” Briggs said. “These bills tackle everything from criminal justice reform to public health and safety, and I’m proud to move them forward with support from both sides of the aisle.” House Bill 150 , sponsored by state Reps. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., and Torren Ecker, R-Adams/Cumberland, would reform Pennsylvania’s current compassionate release program. It would establish an expanded process for seriously ill incarcerated individuals to petition the court for sentence modification modeled after the federal First Step Act. The bill includes strong public safety measures and would relieve strain on state correctional medical resources. House Bill 526 , introduced by state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, would update Pennsylvania’s law that protects parents who breastfeed in public by making it clear Read more
Borowski noted clotheslines have been a back yard or porch staple for most of our history as a country, and that air drying laundry in the sun saves people money, reduces pollution and prolongs the life of many fabrics. Read more
As hospital closures and consolidations across Pennsylvania create health care deserts and powerful monopolies, a bipartisan faction of lawmakers wants to empower the state to dig deeper into these transactions before they happen. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 12 – State Rep. Dan Williams’ bill that would increase pension amounts for injured veterans passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today. “Pennsylvania offers pension programs for veterans who are blind, have lost limbs or are paralyzed. Under our current law, the program pays $150 per month to qualified veterans, but that amount has not been raised since 1999,” Williams said. House Bill 1144 would increase the pension amount from $150 per month to $200 for both the Blind Veterans and the Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans pension programs. “This $50 increase is the first step in right-sizing this program for the veterans who have served and sacrificed for our country,” Williams said. “This increase is meant to repay a small part of the debt we owe to those who put their lives on the line for our protection.” State Reps. Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia), Mark Gillen (R-Berks) and Dane Watro (R-Schuylkill/Luzerne) joined Williams in sponsoring the bill. The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration. 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
HARRISBURG, May 8 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s (D-Montgomery), legislation (H.B. 1067) that would help people avoid falling victim to gift card scams was reported out of the Commerce Committee this week. According to Ciresi, gift cards have become an increasingly widespread way for scammers to defraud Pennsylvanians. Gift cards are easy to purchase, almost impossible to track and allow fraudsters to quickly move money on them, making them a popular payment method demanded by scammers. Sometimes fraudsters claim to be associated with government agencies, legitimate businesses, or even victims’ families, creating a sense of urgency to get their victims to buy gift cards as payment. “In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission reported that victims lost $217 million due to gift card fraud last year, and reports of gift card fraud to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker increased by 50% that same year,” Ciresi said “My office has been contacted by constituents who’ve lost thousands as a result of these scams, and there’s a need to do more to prevent them.” Introduced in a previous session as H.B. 2186, this legislation would require retailers selling gift cards to post clear signage warning consumers about gift card scams where gift cards are displayed and at the point of sale, and to ask for photo identification for gift card purchases. Retailers would also be required to train their employees on how to identify and Read more
“As a former court-appointed guardianship attorney, I saw clients who lost their homes as a result of unpaid property taxes,” Pielli said. “Too often, these were individuals with cognitive impairment or those who were otherwise incapacitated and could not pay tax bills without assistance. Read more
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