Ending Animal Cruelty | Adult-Use Cannabis

Ending Animal Cruelty | Adult-Use Cannabis | Cutting Taxes for Workers

Rep. Ryan Bizzarro May 8, 2025 | 11:52 AM

PA Representative Ryan Bizzarro's banner image

PROTECTING ANIMALS

Animals should not be needlessly tortured in the name of research!

This week, I joined members of the bipartisan Animal Protection Caucus to highlight the need for PA to pass my Beagle Freedom Bills that strengthen animal cruelty laws in our state. The bills protect cats and dogs from animal testing, but they are named for beagles because this is a breed typically used for testing.

Pet owners brought their dogs to Harrisburg that had been saved from a horrific research lab in Virgina. Of the thousands saved, 50 beagles from this lab went to Erie to be adopted in loving homes thanks to the work of my friend Ruth from Erie's ANNA Shelter. So, it's only fitting Ruth was one of the many dignitaries to join us in Harrisburg.

Thank you to the ANNA Shelter and all the shelters who make sure animals have a second chance at finding loving homes. Read more here.

ADULT-USE CANNABIS

Wednesday evening, the House passed an adult-use cannabis bill. It marked the first time an adult-use cannabis bill has advanced out of any chamber of the PA General Assembly. This landmark legislation puts guardrails in place to protect children from accessing cannabis and then re-invests revenue in our communities.

PA is following roughly half of the nation in moving to legalize adult-use cannabis, including our neighboring states of Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and Ohio.

When chaos in the federal government has transformed guaranteed money dedicated to schools, health care, roads, and bridges into question marks, states need to create revenue streams to keep your taxes low. House Democrats started the conversation with a fiscally responsible solution to federal shortcomings. Meanwhile, the Senate GOP continues to be absent when it comes time to leading PA – watching every neighboring state, including those controlled by GOP governors, pass bills to lift up workers and families. Read more here.

KEEPING MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET

I voted to support PA workers, passing the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit this week that would put $200 to $2,300 back in YOUR pocket.

Tariffs have sent prices soaring and we need to support the workers who drive PA’s economy. This is just one way we’re fighting to cut costs for you.

Now we need your help to get it across the finish line. Please contact your state Senator and ask them to pass the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit – because you deserve it!

FLY, EAGLES FLY

Congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles on an incredible season and a well-deserved Super Bowl victory! With true grit, heart, and leadership, the Birds have brought the Vince Lombardi Trophy home to Pennsylvania once again. Special shoutout to the team’s fearless leader for guiding the way—your determination inspired a city and beyond. #PAproud

HOW WE VOTED

A tax cut for PA workers and adult-use cannabis were just two of many bills the House passed this week. The House also:

Voted to pass legislation to equip every state building with a life-saving AED.
Updated the Equal Pay Law to prohibit discrimination in worker pay.
Protected tenants against landlords who have violations that result in the condemnation of their rental property.
Supported veterans by expanding PA National Guard incentive programs.
Protected consumers against prohibiting fees for consumers who request a paper bill.
Passed the Health Care Violence Prevention Act to set protocols to prevent injuries and loss of life because of acts of violence at health facilities.
Passed a bill to create “veteran-owned business” logo for use across PA.
Protected homeowners from foreclosures by guaranteeing a family member or caregiver could assist a homeowner.
Passed a bill to allow the creation of subscriber-based community energy projects.
Prohibited unfair real estate agreements by modernizing the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.

The PA Senate must also pass these bills before they head to the governor's desk for consideration before being signed into law.

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

RALLY TO RAISE THE WAGE DRAWS HUNDREDS

This week, I joined my colleagues in the state House and Senate in support of finally raising the minimum wage in Pennsylvania. There is no reason PA should be dead last in the nation in wages, not when every one of our neighboring states has figured out a way to raise the minimum wage.

Last session Pennsylvania House Democrats passed a bill to raise the minimum wage, but we saw no action by the Senate GOP. House Democrats plan to pass another minimum wage bill this session, but we need the Senate GOP to support PA workers!

I would like to offer special thanks to the hundreds of workers and all my colleagues who stood up today to demand change, especially Speaker Joanna McClinton, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, state Rep. Roni Green, and state Sen. Tina Tartaglione. Thank you for supporting the workers who make PA's economy run!

Read more 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 19 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.

Before the Raise the Wage rally, the Policy Committee hosted a hearing on the benefits of raising the wage and the numerous ways it will boost the economy and support workers.

UP NEXT: State Rep. Dan Miller hosts his annual Disability & Mental Health Summit today and Friday in Allegheny County.

SUPPORTING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Sean Beers, the COO at the YMCA of Greater Erie, visited my office this week with YMCA workers from around the state. We talked about the importance of early childhood education. Children are better positioned to succeed socially and academically after they participate in early childhood programs.

I'm pleased to stand by my record in securing state funding for schools and early childhood education, making sure our children have the tools and resources they need to succeed.

AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION

Catching up with my former teacher from Millcreek Township School District at McDowell High School! Mike Fiorelli met with me in Harrisburg to talk about funding for the American Lung Association. We talked about trends, including how the tobacco settlement from 1998 helped dramatically decrease the number of teens smoking cigarettes, but funding from the settlement has been depleted and the big concern now is the prevalence of teen vaping.

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.

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