Improving Our Region | Tech Education | Flood Prevention

Improving Our Region | Tech Education | Flood Prevention | Revitalizing Main Street

Rep. Ryan Bizzarro May 1, 2025

PA Representative Ryan Bizzarro's banner image

$1 MILLION GRANT FOR ERIE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Dual enrollment can be a cost-saving measure for families and students who are earning college credits that will go toward their college degree, before they even receive their high school diploma. The grant announced earlier this week paves the way for more high school students to participate in dual enrollment and get a head start on starting their future career.

Read more here.

IMPROVING OUR REGION’S OPTIONS

I’m always ready to listen and learn about the latest developments at the local, regional and state level when it comes to economic development and how we can improve the lives of people throughout our community.

I took part in the Erie Regional Chamber’s Knowledge Breakfast Friday at Gannon University with Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and several of my colleagues in the legislature. We examined what Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget would deliver for the people in our region. The conversation also focused on what we could do to better address the economic needs here at home.

It’s all about creation and transformation:

Better jobs.
More innovation.
More revenue.
Better housing options.

HOW WE VOTED

The House returns to Harrisburg on Monday, May 5 to vote on more bills. You can see how we voted here.

POLICY COMMITTEE WORK

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. We have hosted 18 hearings across 12 ZIP codes in 7 counties so far this year, and we expect to host 100+ hearings this session – which is our typical workload.

UP NEXT: The Policy Committee hosts a hearing on raising the minimum wage Monday in Harrisburg. Rep. Dan Miller’s annual Disability & Mental Health Summit is Thursday and Friday in Allegheny County.

REVITALIZING OUR MAIN STREETS

Arts and culture remain a vehicle for change in Pennsylvania communities, transforming and reimagining buildings vacated by factories and industry. The arts also have a track record of being an economic engine, driving job creation. The Policy Committee hosted a roundtable in Berks County with entrepreneurs to learn more about their successes and challenges in attracting more businesses. Lawmakers detailed similar success stories in their districts and Rep. Joe Ciresi (Montgomery County) highlighted his bill to expand the limit for the film tax credit, creating more opportunities for film productions outside Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Read more here.

FUNDING REMAINS A CHALLENGE FOR CAREER, TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Enrollment for career and technical education has increased, allowing more students to obtain training for in-demand careers and apprenticeships to immediately step into the workforce. Funding for these programs, however, is struggling to match the demand and rising costs for hands-on training. Even after the state has increased its investment in career and technical education by 50% since 2022, teachers and officials expressed a need for more funding at a hearing in York County. Rep. Carol Hill-Evans (York County) has a bill to increase grant opportunities for career and technical education.

Read more here.

NEED FOR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL COLLABORATION

Severe weather has devastated communities with increasing regularity, destroying structures, damaging homes and posing a significant risk to lives. At a Policy Committee hearing in Berks County, local officials detailed how the “100-year storm” is happening more consistently, and local officials asked for increased resources and funding to save lives and protect households. State lawmakers highlighted the need for collaboration between local, state and federal officials to maximize recovery. Read more 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.

UPCOMING LOCAL 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