MY BILL TO SAVE NURSING HOMES
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As a wave of closures of nursing homes sweeps Pennsylvania, I have introduced a bill with Rep. Maureen Madden to help end the financial crisis facing many of the state’s quality aging services by providing predictable funding.
We have a crisis in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has a lower reimbursement rate than all its neighboring states, resulting in providers selling facilities, closures and bankruptcies. PA, however, can fix this problem, protect our seniors and preserve the care they need.
My bill, House Bill 1310, would set predictable funding using a formula to set the minimum reimbursement rate – allowing aging services facilities to set their budgets. This in turn would also make it possible to better address staffing concerns. The legislation would preserve and improve the care for seniors at government-run, nonprofit and for-profit nursing homes. It would also help preserve personal care homes and assisted living communities.
Read more here.
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I sat down with Erie News Now on Thursday morning to talk about my bill that would modernize Pennsylvania’s nursing home reimbursement formula. Pennsylvania is still using a 20-year-old system that was originally created as a one-year fix. It’s time for Pennsylvania to act!
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This week, we ensured seniors still have access to affordable prescriptions via PACE and PACENET by extending the current Social Security COLA moratorium until Dec. 31, 2027. We voted to pass a measure to ensure access to food for our neighbors in need while combatting food waste by providing liability protection to donors of food after the recommended label date but is still otherwise safe to eat. We increased the revenue cap for the PA Housing and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund, enabling more people to have safe housing that is affordable. We addressed substance use disorder by requiring the state to provide information on overdose resources. We passed legislation to support veterans, requiring employers to display a poster displaying veterans’ benefits and services.
The House returns to Harrisburg Monday, May 5 to vote on more bills. You can see how we voted here.
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I met with advocates and stakeholders this week about adult-use cannabis. Adult-use cannabis is legal in almost half of the United States, with 24 states, DC and two territories all having legalized small amounts of cannabis for recreational use. The revenue created from adult-use cannabis sales would help lessen the burden on Pennsylvania taxpayers.
Since legalizing adult-use cannabis in 2022, New Jersey has generated nearly $2 billion in total revenue – including a record $1 billion in 2024 for the combined revenue from adult-use and medical cannabis.
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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.
UP NEXT: The Policy Committee will travel to York and Berks counties April 28-30.
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READY TO HELP YOU GET YOUR REBATE
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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.
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Make sure you are registered so you have your voice heard – and your vote counted!
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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.
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MY TEAM IS IN FAIRVIEW EVERY WEDNESDAY
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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.
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MONTHLY VETERANS SERVICE PROGRAM
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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
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MULTIPLE WAYS WE CAN HELP
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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.
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MY TEAM & I CAN HELP YOU!
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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.
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SUBMIT REQUESTS ONLINE OR IN PERSON
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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.
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Rep. Bizzarro's Erie District Office
Monday through Friday | 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Peninsula Plaza
1101 Peninsula Dr. | Suite 213
Erie, PA 16505-4169
(814) 835-2880
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Fairview Satellite Office
Every Wednesday | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fairview Township Building
7471 McCray Road
Fairview, PA 16415-2401
(814) 835-2880
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