Happy Easter | Saving Lives | Helping Babies, Families

Rep. Ryan Bizzarro April 17, 2025 | 1:55 PM

PA Representative Ryan Bizzarro's banner image

HAPPY EASTER

I would like to wish everyone a happy Easter weekend! I hope it’s a memorable weekend, and you are surrounded by friends and loved ones. I also hope it’s a time of solemn reflection on the purpose and gift of sacrifice.

My office, and many state & federal offices, will have modified hours because of the holiday. My district office will be closed Good Friday and Monday. We will begin returning calls & messages Tuesday morning.

HOW WE VOTED

The House returns to Harrisburg Tuesday, April 22 to vote on more bills. You can see how we voted here.

WORK OF POLICY COMMITTEE

As a member of the House Majority Leadership team, I serve as Chairman of the House Majority Policy Committee. We travel the state, exploring issues and talking to members of the community, workers, advocates and experts on a variety of topics. We examine issues to see if there is a legislative solution to improving lives across the commonwealth.

This week, the Policy Committee hosted three hearings in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. The committee has hosted 15 hearings across nine ZIP codes and five counites so far this year, on its way to hosting its typical 100+ hearings during the legislative session.

UP NEXT: The Policy Committee will travel to York and Berks counties April 28-30.

JOB & BUSINESS GROWTH

Rep. Joe McAndrew (Allegheny County) hosted a hearing on the impact of life sciences in helping fuel PA’s economy through manufacturing and hospitals at the Digital Foundry at New Kensington. The hearing was a bipartisan event as we welcomed Republican Rep. Jill Cooper (West Moreland).

Testifiers detailed the specialized training needed for many of the in-demand jobs in the region. New Kensington itself has seen an influx of businesses since the creation of the Digital Foundry.

While tax credits and state grants have helped, testifiers pointed to the work in North Carolina if Pennsylvania hopes to reach its economic potential. Penn State New Kensington officials acknowledged the university’s intention to close satellite campuses, but they did not have an update other than a decision on satellite campus closures is expected in May. All campuses will remain open through at least the 2026-27 academic year.

SAVING LIVES

Reps. Morgan Cephas (Philadelphia), Gina H. Curry (Delaware) and La’Tasha D. Mayes (Allegheny) co-hosted a joint hearing with the Black Maternal Health Caucus and Policy Committee at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Pittsburgh. The hearing focused on the fact too many expecting mothers are dying, and 93% of the deaths are preventable. The hearing explored modernizing midwifery to overcome maternal health deserts in the face of more health care facilities closing.

We welcomed Erie’s Tica Nickson, the founder and executive director of BirthRoot, to explain how a lack of health care facilities – even in a place like Erie – can negatively affect expecting mothers. We once again had a bipartisan event with Republicans Reps. Marlo Brown (Lawrence) and Eric Nelson (Westmoreland) joining us.

The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries. PA House Dems have supported the Momnibus, a package of bills aimed at saving lives and improving health care.

HELPING BABIES, FAMILIES IN NEED

Reps. La’Tasha D. Mayes and Arvind Venkat (Allegheny) co-hosted a tour and roundtable at Beverly’s PGH, a nonprofit organization that feeds hungry babies – and so much more. While the organization has supplied infant formula to about 3,500 babies since June 2022, they also support families and children – organizing community baby showers and children’s birthday parties for families that might not otherwise have the financial means. When a 16-year-old girl has never owned a dress in her life, Beverly’s makes sure she can pick out the new dress for her birthday in one of their mobile units. It’s one of 12,000 birthday gifts they supply annually to families and children in need.

The organization raises millions of dollars each year so it can enhance the work of about 170 social service agencies. It’s why Reps. Curry and Mayes have a bill as part of the Momnibus to start a pilot program so services like this exist across the state.

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.

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, April 23. Please do not arrive before 1 p.m. at Second Harvest Food Bank, 1507 Grimm Dr., Erie PA 16501.

UPCOMING LOCAL ELECTIONS

You might have seen yard signs for upcoming local municipal primary elections. Make sure you are registered so you have your voice heard – and your vote counted!

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, May 15
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