NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE State Rep. Brian Munroe D-Bucks County www.pahouse.com/Munroe Munroe presents check to Warminster Township Police Department Funding will be used for body cameras WARMINSTER, Aug. 6 – State Rep. Brian Munroe presented a $250,000 check to Warminster Township Police Department Chief Jim Donnelly today to help fund the purchase of body cameras for the police officers. Munroe, a retired police officer, secured the funding through the state Department of Community and Economic Development. “Protecting our police and giving them the resources that they need to do the job in the 21 st century is a top priority for me,” Munroe said. “Body cameras are now an essential piece of a police uniform, and I am more than proud and happy to be able to help provide those resources.” “Warminster Township and the Warminster Board of Supervisors are thrilled with the amount of support we have received for our police department,” Warminster Supervisor Judy Hoover said. “The body cameras will certainly add to the ability of our already excellent police department to protect our citizens.” Munroe represents the 144 th Legislative District composed of Ivyland, Warminster, Warrington and Read more
State Rep. Aerion Abney, D-Allegheny, addresses access to voting during a hearing in Pittsburgh on July 30. HARRISBURG, July 31 – Led by state Reps. Aerion Abney, Napoleon Nelson, Rick Krajewski, Anthony Bellmon and Greg Scott, the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus on Tuesday heard from Allegheny County officials over incarcerated peoples’ right to vote from jail. The caucus held a news conference in Pittsburgh during their Lunch and Learn Event with guests, including Allegheny County Jail Assistant Deputy Warden Connie Clark, County Elections Manager David Voye, Lorraine Cross of the Black Political Empowerment Project, Amy Kleissas from the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh, Destiny of Faith Church Rev. Brenda Gregg, and Teresa Minor Spencer of West End Power. "Even behind bars, the right to vote is a beacon of hope, reminding us that every voice matters, and that redemption and civic duty are intertwined," said Abney, D-Allegheny. “Voting from jail underscores the principle that rehabilitation includes reintegration into society, fostering a sense of responsibility and participation in democratic processes.” Discussion centered on allowing incarcerated individuals to vote and how that emphasizes the idea that justice and democracy are inclusive. "The vote is the great equalizer; it bridges the gap between those inside and outside prison walls, ensuring that all citizens Read more
HARRISBURG, July 30 – Pennsylvania House Tourism, Recreational and Economic Development Committee Chair Rep. Mary Jo Daley said she is pleased with a $15 million state budget increase to attract more tourists to the commonwealth’s many great restaurants, hotels, bed and breakfasts and resorts. “Pennsylvania is a four-seasons destination, with each of our great state’s regions offering educational, historical and recreational opportunities to travelers,” said Daley, D-Montgomery . “Providing more resources to the state’s Tourism Office helps bring more attention to all that Pennsylvania has to offer and, in turn, generates even more revenue for our state.” Gov. Josh Shapiro has been promoting Pennsylvania as the “Great American Getaway,” and the budget earmarks $19 million for tourism marketing to boost Pennsylvania’s economy, attract more visitors and support good-paying jobs. “We’re thrilled that tourism marketing received a $15 million increase in the 2024-25 budget to help boost our economy, attract more visitors, and support good paying jobs in Pennsylvania,” said Anne Ryan, deputy secretary of tourism for the Department of Community and Development . “Tourism, which is a key piece of Governor Josh Shapiro’s economic development strategy, generates over $76 billion and supports more than 486,000 jobs each year. We are working hard to encourage the tens of Read more
HARRISBURG, July 23 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s bill that will make it easier for relatives to claim a deceased person’s property being held by the state has been signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro as Act 65 of 2024. “The process of claiming unclaimed property as an heir can be complicated, expensive and burdensome – so much so that many would rather give up than continue with the process, especially if the sum is small,” said Ciresi, D-Montgomery. “Act 65 will slice through the red tape and simplify the current process of claiming unclaimed funds to help the people of Pennsylvania get what’s rightfully theirs.” According to Ciresi, the Pennsylvania Treasury holds some $4 billion in unclaimed property, such as uncashed checks, lost stocks or bonds, or closed bank accounts. Due to an inconsistency in inheritance law, some categories of relatives have had a harder time legitimately claiming that property on behalf of their deceased relatives. Surviving spouses, children, parents and siblings could file for unclaimed property using a notarized sworn relationship affidavit, saving them the effort and expense of having to open or re-open the deceased’s estate. But grandchildren, nephews, nieces and others could not claim by affidavit even if they are the closest surviving relative. Act 65 will allow grandchildren and their descendants, nieces and nephews and their descendants, and grandparents of the deceased Read more
HARRISBURG, July 18 – At state Rep. Joe Ciresi’s request, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has agreed to hold two hearings in Limerick Township on the proposed $126.7 million rate hike for Aqua Pennsylvania Inc and Aqua Pennsylvania Wastewater Inc. on Monday, Aug. 12 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Spring-Ford Area High School (Auditorium), 350 S. Lewis Road, Royersford 19468. Aqua Water proposes to increase its annual operating revenues for water services by approximately $112 million (18.7%). Aqua Wastewater seeks a corresponding increase in its annual operating revenues for wastewater services by $14.6 million (20.1%). In total, the proposed rate increase requests would increase the company’s total annual operating revenues by approximately $126.7 million. “The time is now to act and have our voices heard about how these proposed skyrocketing rate hikes will have a devastating impact on our monthly household budgets, particularly on our seniors who live on a fixed income,” Ciresi said. “I am grateful that the PUC has scheduled two hearings in Limerick Township, where wastewater rates already doubled just a few years ago, so as many of our residents as possible can share how these outrageous rate increases will affect their quality of life.” Although Aqua made the request to the PUC saying the rate increase was necessary to pay for infrastructure investments, Ciresi pointed out that customers’ bills already Read more
HARRISBURG, July 22 – Pottstown School District was awarded a $17,200 workforce grant from the PA Department of Education to develop a new generation of special education teachers, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced today. “Kids in special education classes need teachers who are specially trained to understand their unique needs and provide the necessary support so they can flourish intellectually, socially and emotionally in school,” Ciresi said. “Especially important in light of a statewide teacher shortage, this money will create new learning opportunities for Pottstown School District students. By raising awareness of career paths and job opportunities in special education, this will help recruit the teachers needed to provide a top-notch education for all students.” The Developing Future Special Educator grants will help local education agencies design and implement student-focused experiential learning opportunities for supporting students with disabilities and learning about career opportunities in the field of special education. The program builds on the department’s efforts to develop a teacher pipeline and retention program to guarantee that learners of all abilities across the state are guaranteed access to a top-notch education for years to come. Read more
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE State Rep. Perry Warren D-Bucks County www.pahouse.com/Warren Gov. Shapiro signs Rep. Warren's insurance and corporate bills into law HARRISBURG, July 22 – In the midst of state budget negotiations, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed into law two bills introduced by state Rep. Perry Warren. House Bill 2096 , now known as Act 45 of 2024, codifies the surplus insurance lines fee structure for personal surplus lines transactions. House Bill 1716 , signed into law as Act 59 of 2024, clarifies shareholder rights set forth in Pennsylvania’s Title 15 Corporations and Unincorporated Associations statute. Both bills passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate. “Neither of these new laws is controversial or flashy,” Warren said. “Rather, they both clarify and streamline the conducting of insurance and corporate business in Pennsylvania.” The surplus lines insurance market serves customers who need rare, specialty or high-risk insurance coverage unavailable on the regular market in Pennsylvania. High-risk flood insurance is one common example. To ensure that Pennsylvania insurance agents serve this specialty market, Act 45 permits and caps the fee that may be charged for placing a surplus lines policy. Act 59 clarifies language of Title 15 with Read more
KENNETT SQUARE, July 22 – State Rep. Christina Sappy has requested from the Public Utility Commission a public input hearing regarding the proposed rate increase for water and wastewater by Aqua PA Inc. The PUC has granted this hearing request, which will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8 at the New Garden Township Municipal Building, 299 Starr Road, Landenberg, PA 19350. Sappey urges all customers who will be impacted by this potential rate increase to attend and participate in the hearing. Following the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate coming out against the proposed rate increase, Sappey filed a formal complaint with the PUC regarding this proposed 18.7% rate hike for Aqua PA Inc. and Aqua PA Wastewater Inc. “Many Aqua customers are still coping with a substantial rate increase from 2022 which, for some, tripled their wastewater bills. It’s imperative that residents speak up now to let both the PUC and Aqua know how a rate hike of this magnitude would impact their monthly household budgets,” Sappey said. Interested residents are encouraged to visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for information on how the hearing will be conducted. People with questions may contact Sappey’s office by calling (484) 200-8264 or by emailing repsappey@pahouse.net with “Aqua rate increase hearing” in the subject line. Sappey represents Read more
HARRISBURG, July 19 – Legislation to allow employer contributions for PA 529 accounts, as well as a plan to reform state law regarding net operating losses, each passed in the state budget deal signed last Thursday in Harrisburg. Originally planned as two bills by state Rep. Paul Friel, H.B. 1745 and H.B. 1483 respectively, the language and effect of his initiatives is now law under budget legislation. The first change would amend the state Tax Code to add the 529 Tuition Account Program Tax Credit, allowing for employer contributions to PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts. “We need new, creative solutions to help families afford a college education for their students, and for the commonwealth to invest into our workforce. Looping employers into the tuition savings process will help facilitate both,” Friel said. Meanwhile, the budget included a change to the Net Operating Loss tax deduction proposed by Friel, from 40% to 80%, which aligns with the federal standard to make Pennsylvania-based businesses more competitive. “The goal of the legislation is to ensure that Pennsylvania is an attractive place to start and grow a business, and this change goes a long way to accomplish that,” Friel said. Read more
Pennsylvanians are now better protected from frivolous lawsuits meant to intimidate them into silence thanks to legislation co-authored by state Rep. Lisa Borowski and signed into law today by Gov. Josh Shapiro. Read more
“I want to thank my colleagues in both the House and Senate for their support of this legislation,” said Shusterman. “I will always support initiatives to improve the lives of seniors in our Commonwealth. By encouraging communication between the Department of Health and nursing home staff, we hope that the exchange of ideas and information between these two groups will lead to a unified effort to provide the best senior care possible. I’m proud to have this bill signed in to law by Governor Shapiro.” Read more
“This child care tax credit is an innovative step for Pennsylvania families and businesses. It will help employers retain employees and help employees continue working while ensuring that their children receive high quality child care,” Hanbidge said. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 11 – After his vote to approve the state budget tonight, state Rep. Joe Ciresi highlighted its progress in delivering historic education funding and investing in Pennsylvanians without raising taxes as the reasons for his support. Pennsylvania’s 2024-25 budget includes $1.3 billion in funding for public schools statewide, including reforms to the state’s cyber charter school law to require transparency in advertising and reducing special education overpayments by better aligning tuition to the real cost of educating students. Ciresi had proposed cyber charter reforms in his H.B. 1422, which passed the House with bipartisan support last year. “This budget delivers historic progress for public education, investing more than a billion new dollars in our schools and relieving overburdened property taxpayers,” Ciresi said. “Even though we have more work to do, we’ve also taken an important step for the first time in reforming our broken charter school law by ensuring transparency in cyber charter school advertising, providing relief to school districts paying for mandatory charter school costs, and returning $60 million each year back to the taxpayers. Our successes in delivering more funding for local schools has given them more resources for students and let them rely less on property taxes, and I look forward to seeing that continue with this budget.” Locally, the budget increases funding for Montgomery Read more
The state House passed legislation today authored by state Reps. Lisa Borowski and Paul Takac that would protect communities from losing access to vital health care services due to health system consolidations and closures, by providing the state attorney general with tools to shield Pennsylvanians from corporate mergers that would devastate the availability of health services and increase patient costs. Read more
"The passage of House Bill 1466 marks a significant victory for free speech and the protection of public participation in Pennsylvania,” Cerrato said. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 10 – An omnibus transportation bill (HB 2301) including language from a bill introduced by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, to waive vehicle title and registration fees for veterans who were captured, injured or received the Congressional Medal of Honor while serving has been sent to the governor’s desk. The proposal had been previously introduced by Ciresi as a standalone bill (HB 105), which passed the House unanimously in April. With its inclusion in and the passage of HB 2301, it is now on its way to be signed into law. “When veterans return home, the impact of their traumatic experiences are further compounded by financial hurdles such as relocation, finding new homes, applying for jobs and registering their vehicles,” Ciresi said. “These heroes deserve our compassion and gratitude, and that’s why I introduced this legislation to help relieve some of the pressure by waiving vehicle registration fees. By permanently removing registration fees for veterans who were injured, captured, or received our highest military decoration, we would show our permanent appreciation for their sacrifices and service.” Currently, recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, seriously injured veterans, and former POWs pay a $10 vehicle registration processing fee. Under the recently passed legislation, this fee will be removed, and they will no longer be subject to titling fees. For recipients of the Purple Heart, Read more
HARRISBURG, July 9 – Bipartisan legislation ( H.B. 1526 ) introduced by state Reps. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, and Kristin Marcell, R-Bucks, which would allow Intermediate Units to own facilities for instructional space passed the state House today. IUs are regional educational service agencies created by the legislature in 1970. IUs provide high-quality programs to K-12 public school districts and non-public/private schools. Intermediate units also serve as liaisons between school districts and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Pennsylvania’s 29 intermediate units provide special education, professional development, and technical assistance services to school districts, charter schools and private schools. Every year, more than 175,000 students and 50,000 educators receive services and training from IUs, meeting a variety of needs for students and school districts. Currently, IUs are only permitted to own office space and warehouse facilities, a limitation that prohibits them from owning facilities used for instructional space; a limitation that does not apply to school districts, area career and technical schools, or charter schools. Many IUs operate classrooms and other instructional spaces as providers of important special education, pre-school programs and other educational services. All these instructional facilities must be leased, burdening IUs with rental costs that sometimes greatly exceed what it would cost the IU to purchase and own the Read more
"Ensuring a standardized and timely certification process for election results is crucial to upholding the integrity of our democracy,” Sanchez said. Read more
“Undiscovered heart conditions that affect the cardiovascular system, as well as sudden blows to the chest – common occurrences in many youth sports – are the most common causes of cardiac arrest in kids, and schools with AEDs and a plan increase the chances of survival to up to 80% from this usually fatal condition,” said Brennan. “Supporting a commonsense, inexpensive remedy to an urgent health issue ought to be an obvious choice, so I’m expecting fast concurrence from the Senate.” Read more
HARRISBURG, July 2 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi’s bill that protects a deceased person’s family or estate from being charged early termination fees when canceling certain service contracts and vehicle leases was signed into law last Friday as Act 29 of 2024. “Death comes with many burdens for the survivors, but one of them shouldn’t be termination fees,” Ciresi said. “It’s hard enough to lose a family member, but it is just salt in the wound for a grieving relative to have to pay an early termination fee because the customer has died. And it is simply gross that companies profit off a person’s death through these fees. My legislation prohibits cable, phone, telecommunications, utility, and other companies from imposing early termination fees on a recently deceased person’s family for services that would no longer be used.” Act 29 requires that written notice along with a copy of a death certificate be provided to end such leases or contracts without financial penalty. Ciresi has championed the legislation in previous sessions. This session, the bill had 24 co-sponsors, including both Democrats and Republicans. Ciresi said he was grateful to his colleagues for their support of this bill to provide additional protections for consumers. “Act 29 is going to help many, many Pennsylvania families during their time of grief by removing one less hassle as they settle their loved one’s Read more
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