ERIE, Dec. 10 – Three grants totaling $90,000 will enhance security and prevent sexual assault at Mercyhurst University, Gannon University and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, state Reps. Bob Merski and Pat Harkins announced today. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the three schools are receiving grants of $30,000 each under the “It’s On Us” program to ensure students remain safe from the threat of sexual violence. “College campuses should be safe havens where students feel confident to pursue their hopes and dreams,” Merski said. “This new funding will help ensure that Erie campuses have the proper security in place to deter crime and allow students to thrive and learn.” Harkins said, “No student should ever have to worry about facing the threat of an assault on campus. Securing this funding is going to bring new resources to ensure students remain safe and, equally important, enjoy peace of mind.” The “It’s On Us” campaign is a national initiative to raise awareness about sexual assault; teaching participants that assault includes non-consensual sex, advising them on how to identify dangerous situations, empowering them to intervene, and urging them to create an environment of support for victims and survivors. Read more
ERIE, Dec. 9 – Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest PA has been awarded nearly $750,000 for upgrades, state Reps. Bob Merski and Pat Harkins, both D-Erie, announced today. The lawmakers said the funding will help the food bank expand its capacity for storing and transporting supplies. “No household should have to deal with the stress of food insecurity, especially during the holidays,” Merski said. “Securing this funding will ensure that Second Harvest Food Bank has the equipment it needs to store and transport plentiful supplies so that families have fewer worries about keeping nutritious food on the table.” Harkins said: “Second Harvest has always been a wonderful resource for our region. With so many residents still feeling the effects of the pandemic, it’s important for folks to know that the food bank is there for them and – thanks to this new funding – able to serve our community with expanded capacity.” The COVID-19 Food Bank Cold Storage Infrastructure Program allows Pennsylvania food banks to purchase, expand, or upgrade cold storage facilities to ensure that they can deliver fresh food to struggling families. Eligible purchases include refrigerators, coolers, freezers, refrigerator trailers and cargo vans, building expansions, and more. The grants are part of a package of $11.4 million in funding to food banks statewide. More information on the Read more
ERIE, Dec. 8 – The Erie County Historical Society, expERIEnce Children’s Museum, and Harborcreek Historical Society have been awarded more than $23,000 in state funding to help support their operations, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski, both D-Erie, announced today. The lawmakers said that funding from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission includes $12,003 to the Erie County Historical Society and $6,067 to the children’s museum under the Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program and $5,000 to the Harborcreek society under the Historical and Archival Records Grant Program. “Erie’s historical societies are the keepers of our region’s rich cultural heritage, and this new funding will support staff at the county historical society and Harborcreek in their efforts to preserve and chronicle our history in a way that keeps it alive for future generations.” Merski said, “The expERIEnce Children’s Museum is another unique place that brings learning to life by allowing kids to interact with hands-on displays and exhibits that stimulate the senses. The new grant funding to help support operations follows last week’s award of $5 million from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for major expansions and improvements to the museum.” The funding is part of a package of nearly $2 million in grants awarded to 154 Read more
ERIE, Dec. 8 – Efforts to improve child abuse investigation and assist young victims will benefit from $447,000 in funding awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski announced today. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the Children’s Advocacy Center in Erie will receive $47,000 in direct funding to continue its advocacy and support for abuse victims and will also benefit from an additional $400,000 awarded to the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Pennsylvania to help the state center provide individual CACs with training and technical support. “Our Children’s Advocacy Center here in Erie plays multiple critical roles, from being a voice for young abuse victims and assisting in investigations to providing a safe, supportive environment and resources to help kids heal,” Harkins said. “The new funding to the center will ensure that it has the resources to continue those crucial services.” Merski said: “In addition to the specific funding earmarked for our Erie center, the grant to the state center is great news because it will fund a team of experts in the field who can provide additional support. With changes in the law, an increase in child abuse referrals and the development of new, evidence-based techniques, our dedicated and talented professionals at the county level can benefit from that extra training and Read more
ERIE, Dec. 3 – A $5 million state grant will fund expansion and improvements to the expERIEnce Children’s Museum, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski announced today. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the funding – supported through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program – will help fund a building addition, outdoor space and improvements to the existing structure. “Securing this funding is going to allow the museum to expand its footprint and also offer new outdoor spaces for open-air programs,” Harkins said. “With those additions, the museum will be able to accommodate more people and add additional exhibits and programs, making the experience even more exciting for young visitors.” Merski said, “It’s hard to overstate the importance of vivid, hands-on exhibits that stimulate kids’ senses and help them learn. Our children’s museum gives kids an amazing educational experience to complement what they learn in the classroom, and today’s funding is going to help ensure the museum has the capacity to expand those resources even further.” The lawmakers said that the three-story addition to the current facility includes site preparation, foundation and concrete slabs, structural steel, building envelope, interior walls, and ceilings, finishes, and mechanical and electrical systems. In addition, renovations include reworking of structural steel and the addition of energy Read more
ERIE, Dec. 1 – A grant of more than $1.64 million to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office will fund measures to reduce gun violence, bolster law enforcement, and provide former offenders the supports and services needed to resume productive lives in the community, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski announced today. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will fund resources over a 24-month period to help implement UnifiedErie’s Group/Gun Violence Reduction Strategy. “This grant is going to fund targeted intervention strategies, street outreach, and other programs that have proven to reduce violence and help former offenders transition back to productive lives,” Merski said. “All are investments in a safer, stronger community.” Harkins said, “The funding awarded today is going to support programs that give residents a greater voice in fighting crime, expand outreach to at-risk youth beyond the schools and into the neighborhoods, boost law enforcement’s ability to track and prosecute offenders, and connect former offenders with job resources and other supports to help them turn their lives around.” The grant is part of a package of $15.7 million in funding from PCCD to support local strategies to stop gun and group violence. More information about the grants is available here . Read more
ERIE, Nov. 18 – Help is still available through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and state Reps. Bob Merski and Pat Harkins are urging residents who may be struggling with rent or utility payments to apply now. “With eviction protections no longer in place, it’s important for residents to remember that help is still available through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program,” Merski said. “The program can provide up to 18 months of assistance for past-due rent or utilities dating back to March 2020, or for future payments. It can also help with housing-related expenses such as relocation, security deposits, application fees, accrued late fees and attorney fees related to eviction proceedings. “But residents – especially those facing an imminent risk of eviction or utility shutoff – should not wait. Applying now may help prevent those circumstances and other major life disruptions.” Harkins said, “As we head into winter, I urge anyone who is having trouble paying rent or utilities to apply for emergency assistance. Help is available even if residents are living in subsidized or Section 8 housing, as long as those costs are not reimbursed through another program.” To qualify, a household must be responsible for paying rent and must meet the following criteria: One or more household members has qualified for unemployment benefits, had a decrease in Read more
ERIE, Nov. 9 – Tax credits totaling more than $2.8 million under the state Neighborhood Assistance Program will leverage investments in projects to improve life for Erie residents, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski announced today. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the funding will leverage investments in a broad range of projects. “The best investments are the ones that generate greater opportunities for people," Merski said. “By fueling projects to renew distressed areas, educate youth, address hunger insecurity and boost job training, these tax credits promise to expand the resources residents need to thrive.” Harkins said, “This tax credit funding will provide an infusion of lifeblood into our communities, which are still working to recover from the pandemic. From removing blight and revitalizing neighborhoods to improving literacy and increasing affordable housing, they are going to create new opportunities for residents and small businesses to build back and flourish.” The lawmakers say the tax credits include: Erie Playhouse – $26,125. ServErie – $5,500. SSJ Neighborhood Network – $27,500 and $200,000. YMCA of Greater Erie – $12,375. Erie County Historical Society – $5,500. Erie Center for Arts and Technology – $55,000 and $132,500. Gannon Read more
ERIE, Nov. 4 – State Rep. Pat Harkins joined Gov. Tom Wolf in Erie today as the lawmakers pushed for passage of Harkins’ legislation to repair a critical safety issue that leaves Pennsylvania’s public employees unprotected in the workplace. Harkins, D-Erie, said he is encouraged by renewed attention generated by the governor’s recent executive order, which urges lawmakers to pass H.B. 1976 . Also known as the Jake Schwab Worker Safety Bill, the legislation would give Pennsylvania’s public employees the same protections enjoyed by the state’s private-sector workers. “Pennsylvania’s public employees – police, firefighters, teachers, corrections officers, transportation workers and others – are every bit as committed to doing their jobs and providing for their families as the state’s private-sector employees,” Harkins said. “But there is one glaring difference: unlike private-sector employees, who are protected by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the state’s public employees are left to fend for themselves because there are no regulations in place to keep them safe. “That lack of protection killed public transit mechanic Jake Schwab just days before Thanksgiving 2014, when the equipment he needed was unavailable at his job site, leading to a fatal explosion. It was seven years ago that Jake’s death spurred me to put this legislation in Read more
ERIE, Nov. 3 – A low-interest loan of $200,000 will help fund a project to bring a unique outdoor dining and entertainment venue to the Erie Bayfront, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski, both D-Erie, announced today. The lawmakers said the funding to Scott’s Bayfront Hotel LLC will finance construction and renovations for Oliver’s Beer Garden that will help visitors capture stunning waterfront views. “The loan to Scott’s Bayfront Hotel LLC is especially exciting because it is helping to fund a project that builds on the Bayfront’s natural beauty in a way that draws visitors, increases commercial activity and attracts additional investment in our region,” Harkins said. “Scott’s Bayfront will also retain 55 permanent full-time jobs as a result of the project.” Merski said, “Today’s funding to Scott’s Bayfront will help move this special dining and entertainment project one step further by funding renovations that include site development, paving, landscaping, outdoor pavilion, fire pits, tiling, plumbing and electrical work. I can’t wait to see this area take on new life as the renovations take shape.” The total project cost is $803,647. The loan was approved through the Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission and is a seven-year, $200,000 loan at a 1.5% interest rate. The loan was approved Read more
ERIE, Oct. 26 – State grant funding of $11,876 will bring Erie pre-k students greater access to fresh foods and a chance to learn about the importance of agriculture, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski announced today. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the funding to Early Connections Inc. – awarded by the state Department of Agriculture under the Pennsylvania Farm Bill’s Farm to School Program – can help the center shape healthy habits and stimulate interest in farming. “With so much cleverly advertised junk food around, it’s critical to make kids understand that there are healthy alternatives out there and that they have the power to make smarter choices,” Harkins said. “By providing access to local foods from Edinboro Farmers Market, this funding is going to help expose kids to those more nutritious options.” Merski said, “In addition to expanding access to nutritious foods, the grant to Early Connections will fund agriculturally focused children’s books and class programs and a field trip to a local maple syrup producer. By stimulating kids’ curiosity and teaching them that it can be empowering to grow their own food, we’re helping ensure a fresh crop of young minds dedicated to keeping urban agriculture thriving here in the region.” The grant is part of a package of funding to 47 projects designed to improve access to healthy local foods Read more
ERIE, Oct. 21 – State Rep. Pat Harkins, D-Erie, issued the following statement today in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s executive action urging passage of H.B. 1976 , Harkins’ workplace safety legislation, also known as the Jake Schwab Worker Safety Bill. “I was encouraged to hear Governor Wolf call on lawmakers to pass my worker safety bill and eliminate a gaping hole in protections for our state’s public workers. The men and women who make up Pennsylvania’s workforce give it their all – whether they work for public or private employers – to support their families and keep our communities running. “But shockingly, although they do the same work, only some of them are safe from workplace dangers. That’s because basic safety protections exist for private-sector workers only. Public employees – from police to corrections officers to public transit workers – are left to fend for themselves. “My bill is named for Jake Schwab, a public transit mechanic who died just days before Thanksgiving because the equipment he needed was unavailable at his job site, leading to an explosion. Unlike mechanics in private garages, Jake was not protected by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and Pennsylvania has no state plan imposing comparable standards to protect public employees. “It’s my hope that with renewed attention focused on this critically needed piece of legislation, the families Read more
ERIE, Oct. 14 – Erie residents will soon have greater options for affordable rental housing, thanks to nearly $700,000 in federal tax credit funding awarded today, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski announced. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the funding to GMA Development Group, LLC, for Royal Homes development sites in Erie will fund construction of 26 units. “Lack of affordable housing is a persistent problem for Pennsylvania’s low-income households, and too many families already spend more than half of their income on rent, leaving little left over for groceries, prescriptions and other necessities,” Harkins said. “Securing this funding will help expand housing options that give families livable options. It won’t solve our housing shortage overnight, but it’s a good start.” Merski said, “A stable, permanent place to call home is such an important foundation in life, but not all families have easy access to safe, affordable housing. The tax credits awarded today should help boost the supply of affordable rental units for Erie families.” The Low Income Housing Tax Credits are administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and were approved by the agency’s board. The funding is part of a package of $43.6 million awarded statewide for the construction of 1,974 affordable multifamily rental units. More information on the awards is Read more
ERIE, Oct. 5 – Pregnant and postpartum women recovering from substance use disorder will have greater support as they transition from treatment to the Erie community, thanks to $583,153 in funding, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski announced today. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the funding to Allegheny Health Network will help the organization provide pregnancy support services and make referrals for outpatient treatment. “Getting through recovery can be difficult enough, but for pregnant or postpartum women, the added health and financial challenges can be overwhelming,” Harkins said. “Securing this funding will provide these Erie residents the added support and outpatient treatment they need to make a healthy return to productive lives.” Merski said, “After inpatient recovery treatment ends, expectant or postpartum moms need ongoing support to make a successful transition to the community. The funding announced today will help ensure services are in place to help them navigate the health-related, logistical and financial issues that may arise as they embrace the responsibilities of parenthood.” The funding – administered by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs – is part of a package of more than $12 million in grants announced today to help Pennsylvanians in recovery. That funding is part of a larger package of $55 million in federal money awarded to Pennsylvania Read more
ERIE, Sept. 10 – With classes back in session at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, LECOM students and staff are benefiting from a new K-9 unit supported in part by a $50,000 state grant, state Reps. Bob Merski and Pat Harkins announced. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the grant will enhance security for the campus and the entire region. “Like other campuses that host year-round speaking events and community activities, LECOM will benefit greatly from the added security of a K-9 unit,” Merski said. “Police dogs do an incredible job of rooting out suspicious packages containing weapons or explosives, which is important as larger gatherings resume on campus and in the community. “The campus and the entire surrounding community are going to be safer thanks to the new addition to the force.” Harkins said: “The K-9 unit is a great addition to LECOM’s security because it adds an important layer of protection for students and staff and enhances peace of mind for everyone – including the officers responsible for campus safety. It’s great to know that the campus is joining so many others across the country that have added police dogs to their security arsenal.” The lawmakers said LECOM is assisting with startup costs for the program, which total about $80,000. Read more
ERIE, Sept. 8 – Grant funding of $299,733 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will continue an Erie pilot program to educate students about opioid dangers and help families keep kids safe, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski announced today. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the funding to Family Services of NW PA will support the Erie Opioid Misuse Prevention Project – one of five pilot programs statewide that are providing evidence-based strategies to reduce risk factors that lead kids to substance abuse and other problems. “The statewide Opioid Disaster Declaration recently expired after the Republican-controlled legislature failed to extend it,” Harkins said. “At the same time, the numbers are showing that opioid overdoses spiked during the pandemic. It’s a bad combination and highlights why it is so critical to keep youth education and prevention programs going.” Merski said, “The pilot programs are evidence-based and have been working to make sure kids understand the risks of opioid use and help families develop strategies to keep kids safe and steer them away from drug use and other risky behaviors. Thanks to this funding, those programs are going to continue for another year.” The lawmakers said Erie’s program, like the other pilots, is part of the Opioid Misuse Prevention Project and operates through partnerships among counties, school Read more
ERIE, Aug. 19 – State Rep. Pat Harkins announced today that he has been reappointed Democratic chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee. Although he is not new to the role – Harkins served as Democratic chair of the committee during the 2017-18 legislative session – he said he is especially excited to be returning now, at a time when state gaming revenue is setting new records. “Pennsylvania’s gaming industry is shattering records,” said Harkins. “This week, the state Gaming Control Board reported that combined total revenue for July from all forms of gaming topped $423 million – the highest monthly revenue recorded for regulated games. That’s on top of last month’s news that gaming brought a record $3.9 billion over the past fiscal year.” Harkins said casino revenue showed especially strong gains from last summer to this one, with Erie’s own Presque Isle Downs and Casino reporting a 40% increase. “It’s great to see casinos rebounding after being shuttered by the pandemic, especially because gaming funds so many critical areas, from property tax relief to seniors’ programs to local government services and contributions to the state’s General Fund,” Harkins said. “But there are issues – including protecting those vulnerable to the risk of addiction and rooting out competition from illegal, unlicensed machines – that require attention. Read more
ERIE, Aug. 5 – State Rep. Pat Harkins, D-Erie, issued the following statement in response to news that AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka has died: “I was shocked and saddened to learn that labor leader Richard Trumka has died. “I attended a labor event with Richard in Pittsburgh two years ago, and I was taken by the depth of his insight, the passion of his commitment to workers’ rights issues, and how gracious he was with his time. “Richard was truly old-school labor, and he worked tirelessly to make life better for Pennsylvania workers – both union and non-union alike. “My heartfelt condolences go out to Richard’s family. The commonwealth has lost a great asset to labor and a true champion of workers’ rights.” Read more
ERIE, Aug. 4 – Erie elementary school students will see more fresh fruits and vegetables on the menu, thanks to $354,705 in grant funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state Reps. Bob Merski and Pat Harkins announced today. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said funding under the USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program includes $311,870 to elementary schools in the Erie City School District and $42,835 to the Iroquois School District. “Decades of studies show a direct link between nutrition and kids’ ability to focus and learn, and it’s something I have seen firsthand during my years in the classroom,” Merski said. “Securing this funding is going to help ensure Erie’s grade-schoolers have access to those dietary benefits, regardless of household income." Harkins said, “I’m thrilled we were able to secure this funding. In addition to staving off hunger and providing the kinds of healthy menu options kids need to do well in class, fresh fruits and vegetables are key to boosting the immune system and fighting disease. That’s more important than ever this year.” The lawmakers said the grants are part of a package of more than $7 million awarded to 288 elementary schools statewide under the FFVP. Funding priority was given to the schools with the highest rates of students eligible for free and Read more
Erie, Aug. 2 – State grant funding of $482,251 will boost projects to clear blight and revitalize Erie’s urban landscape, state Reps. Bob Merski and Pat Harkins announced today. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said three grants awarded by the state Department of Community and Economic Development under the Keystone Communities Program are: $229,251 to the City of Erie for the West Eighth Street Anchor Buildings Project. $150,000 to the Erie Redevelopment Authority for the City of Erie Blight Reduction Project. $103,000 to the PA Route 6 Alliance for the PA Route 6 Façade Program in the Great Lakes. “The grant to the city for the West Eighth Street Anchor Buildings Project is extremely exciting because it will build on investments and projects already underway to renew and regrow Erie’s commercial corridor,” Merski said. “With the additional funding, the city can continue efforts to anchor revitalization of this key section of the city with new residential and commercial spaces that draw families, businesses and jobs.” Harkins said the funding to the redevelopment authority will allow it to continue battling blight. “The redevelopment authority has been working hard to acquire abandoned and distressed properties and demolish or renovate them,” Harkins said. “While those efforts are Read more
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