Honored as Advocate of the Year | Solving Aging Services Crisis

Rep. Ryan Bizzarro March 20, 2025 | 4:11 PM

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ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

We managed to get anti-SLAPP legislation signed into law in PA after years of work. We brought together people from opposite ends of the political spectrum – from the ACLU to Americans for Prosperity. The law protects against frivolous lawsuits that target individuals or organizations that speak out on issues of public interest.

I'm a strong advocate for the First Amendment, and in these uncertain times it is important to preserve our rights to protest and speak up against injustice. I'm glad I could make sure 2024 was the year we finally got this done.

This week, I was honored by the Pennsylvania News Media Association as Advocate of the Year for helping make anti-SLAPP legislation a law in Pennsylvania. Michael Berry, a partner in the Philadelphia office of Ballard Spahr, also received the award, highlighting the large team needed to get this bill signed into law after about a decade of people pushing for this measure.

HOW WE VOTED

This week, the House voted to permit 120+ law enforcement officers to carry weapons to protect themselves while working for the Office of the State Inspector General; we passed two bills to help end discrimination; we passed a bill that would provide more consumer protections for patients using medical cannabis; we passed a bill that would eliminate a redundant hearing aid test for school bus drivers; we voted to help patients looking to fill their prescriptions by permitting electronic transfers of prescriptions between pharmacies; we passed a bill that would allow for state grants and incentives to keep neighborhood hospitals open in rural and underserved areas; and we passed legislation to help domestic abuse survivors by changing the way survivors would file for unemployment compensation.

The House returns to Harrisburg Monday to vote on more bills. You can see how we voted here.

RETURNING YOUR MONEY

Thanks again to everyone who stopped by our Pot O' Gold event last Friday. My team helped people search and file the paperwork needed to claim their property.

The PA Treasury currently holds more than $4 billion in unclaimed property in the form of paychecks, bonds, contents of safety deposit boxes and more. An estimated 1-in-10 PA residents have unclaimed property.

If you missed last week's event, my team is here to help you. Stop by our Millcreek office or visit my team member at the Fairview Twp. Building on Wednesdays. We can help!

If you are wondering why PA doesn't streamline the process of recovering what is rightfully yours, I am working on it. I was the House sponsor for the Money Match program that will return unclaimed property directly to thousands of households this year. I have also written the MATH Act to modernize our treasury, including the Unclaimed Property Progress Act – which would send all unclaimed property worth $10,000 or less back to its rightful owners without the need to file paperwork.

SUPPORTING CARE FOR YOUR OLDER LOVED ONES

As a member of the House Majority Leadership team, I travel the state as Chairman of the Policy Committee, hosting hearings with lawmakers, experts and advocates looking to improve lives. We've hosted 10 hearings this year across five ZIP codes, on our way to the typical 100+ hearings we host each session.

Long-term care is in crisis in PA, largely because of state funding that doesn't cover what it costs to care for patients in nursing homes, personal care homes and assisted living communities. Wednesday's hearing explored my new legislation that would establish predictable funding so nursing homes can budget properly, and make sure people get the care they need.

Pennsylvania has a lower reimbursement rate than all its neighboring states. Our population is also the fifth-oldest in the nation, meaning the commonwealth needs aging service care and needs increased services as the population ages. Yet, 30+ skilled nursing facilities have closed across the state since the start of the pandemic. The closure of nursing facilities in Pennsylvania is a unique phenomenon in the nation, testifiers noted, and it's why I will introduce a bill to set a minimum reimbursement rate.

UP NEXT: The committee travels to Allegheny County April 14-16. You can watch and read about the hearings here.

READY TO HELP YOU GET YOUR REBATE

My office helped more than 1,200 people receive their Property Tax & Rent Rebate last year. This state program helps older Pennsylvanians, widows, widowers and people with disabilities recover a portion of what they paid in property taxes or rent during the previous year. Contact us if you have questions or need help applying. Please remember, no appointments are necessary, if you need assistance stop by or contact us!

My office in Millcreek Township is located in Peninsula Plaza at 1101 Peninsula Drive, Suite 213, Erie, PA 16505. We are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WELCOMING FAMILIAR FACES

I joined the Speaker of the House Rep. Joanna McClinton and the other members of the Erie Delegation in welcoming Carl Anderson III, the former chairman of the Erie County Council, in the House chamber Wednesday. It's always great to see someone from home when they visit the Capitol in Harrisburg.

HELP FOR VETERANS

If you are a veteran or live with a veteran, Second Harvest Food Bank provides food for households in need. You can find more information from their friendly staff at 814-459-3663 ext. 117. You will need to show ID on your first visit to the event.

This month’s event starts at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 26. Please do not arrive before 1 p.m. at Second Harvest Food Bank, 1507 Grimm Dr., Erie PA 16501.

TAX FORMS AVAILABLE AT MY OFFICE

The federal, state and local tax forms you need are in! Stop by and pick them up at our office in Millcreek.

SAFEGUARDING OUR SCHOOLS

When private for-profit schools and their dark money backers came after Fairview and Millcreek School Districts to siphon off taxpayer dollars to make a profit off taxpayers. I stopped them. We need to protect our high-performing schools!

My team and I deliver for local people & projects. We cut the red tape in Harrisburg to secure the support our region needs.

When our schools need funding ...
When our police officers need a new vehicle to preserve lives ...
When our firefighters need funds for life-saving equipment ...

We delivered to the tune of more than $92 million during the 2023-24 legislative session.

MY TEAM IS IN FAIRVIEW EVERY WEDNESDAY

I wanted to remind folks that my team and I hold Wednesday office hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fairview Township Building, 7471 McCray Road, Fairview, PA 16415.

The cornerstone of my office is service to you, our neighbors. By holding office hours at the township, we're making it easier for folks to reach us, so we can help them.

MONTHLY VETERANS SERVICE PROGRAM

On the third Thursday of each month, my team and I are proud to host a Veterans Service Officer from the VFW to be available to members of our community.

I am happy to help provide this assistance to our area veterans, who have sacrificed so much for our nation. The next appointments will be:

Thursday, April 17
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
1101 Peninsula Drive
Reserve a spot: 814-835-2880

MULTIPLE WAYS WE CAN HELP

Do you or does someone you know need help accessing state programs or services? Have a question about a state program or law and don’t know where to go? My team and I stand ready to help on a range of issues, including:

Unemployment or the PUA system.
FREE notary (excludes title transfers).
Property Tax/Rent Rebates for seniors.
Voter registration and vote by mail.
Problems with the Department of Human Services (food stamps, medical and income assistance).
Car registrations, special tags, handicap placards, titles and driver’s license applications.
Information on financial assistance for higher education.
Obtaining and completing state forms of all kinds.
Birth and death certificates.
Pennsylvania income tax questions or problems.
Complaints or questions about utilities and the Public Utility Commission.
Complaints and problems with insurance companies.
Renewal of state-issued licenses or certifications.
Problems or questions about the state lottery.
PACE cards for senior citizens.
Consumer complaints.

For help, or to speak with me or a staff member about an issue, please don't hesitate to contact my office.

MY TEAM & I CAN HELP YOU!

Helping people apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and all the PennDOT services they need are just two of the ways my team and I serve the community. We help thousands of people each year. We can help you fill out the forms you need and get them to Harrisburg for FREE.

If you have any state government-related questions, stop by and let us help you.

SUBMIT REQUESTS ONLINE OR IN PERSON

My team and I are always working for you! My Millcreek office at 1101 Peninsula Drive, Suite 213, Erie is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can also call 814-835-2880 or email RepBizzarro@pahouse.net if you need help with state government concerns.

Have questions outside of office hours? We have an online form – the Community Help Center – so that you can submit your request(s) for help with state-related programs and services 24/7. This form is available by clicking below or visiting my website – www.repbizzarro.com.

REP. BIZZARRO'S COMMUNITY HELP CENTER