$1.7 Million Secured to Bolster Erie Housing, Standing Up for Our Veterans, Harrisburg Happenings, & more!

Rep. Robert Merski June 13, 2025 | 11:22 AM

Building Stronger Communities

We wanted to start off this week’s eblast by sharing some exciting news about our commitment to building a stronger and more resilient Erie.

Yesterday, entities throughout Erie with a focus on bolstering safe, affordable housing were awarded $1.7 million in grants through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund. These funds are dedicated to ensuring that every resident in our county has access to safe, affordable housing—a cornerstone for building thriving families and resilient communities.

Supporting Our Veterans

The PA House has unanimously passed H.B. 1405—a major bipartisan step forward. This new legislation enables veterans’ service experience to count toward certification for Career & Technical Education teaching.

This measure creates a win-win situation. It not only honors our heroes by recognizing the invaluable skills they gained through service but also addresses growing teacher shortages by bringing real-world expertise into our classrooms. I cast my affirmative vote on this bill because our veterans deserve career opportunities that truly honor their service, and our students deserve educators who can share practical, hands-on knowledge.

We also wanted to highlight a key program through the Pennsylvania Department of Military & Veterans Affairs that assists veterans and their families. When unforeseen challenges bring financial hardships, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that those who have served our state and nation receive the support they deserve.

The Veterans Temporary Assistance (VTA) Program provides up to $1,600 over 12 months to help cover essential needs like food, shelter, fuel, and clothing. This support is designed so that no veteran has to face these challenges alone.

Working for You in Harrisburg

It was a productive week in Harrisburg as we continued focusing on issues that will enhance Pennsylvanian’s quality of life. While there were many forward-thinking pieces of legislation that passed the Pennsylvania House, we wanted to highlight a couple bills that are of particular importance to our community.

I proudly joined local families in addressing rising lot rent prices in our mobile home parks by voting for H.B. 1250. This essential legislation ties manufactured home lot rent hikes to inflation—except for justified, extraordinary costs—and includes:

Mandatory fee disclosures
Strengthened resident associations
Required notice for any changes

This vote supports our shared values of home stability, dignity, and fairness. Every Pennsylvanian deserves a safe, affordable home, and we must continue pushing for transparency and accountability in our community.

Additionally, I voted in favor of Pennsylvania House Bill 846, an update to our Prevailing Wage Act designed to ensure fair pay and accountability for our public works projects. H.B. 846 sets clear standards that guarantee our hardworking Pennsylvanians receive the wages they deserve while strengthening the quality and oversight of state-funded projects.

I also voted YES to raise Pennsylvania's minimum wage. Every hardworking Pennsylvanian deserves a living wage that reflects their contribution to our communities and economy.

This step forward isn’t just about numbers—it’s about ensuring our families have a fair chance to thrive and that every paycheck goes further in building a stronger Pennsylvania.

Free Children’s Bicycle Rodeo in Erie on June 24

We’re excited to invite you and your children to a free Bicycle Rodeo in Erie, co-hosted by PennDOT and Safe Kids Erie County—designed to promote safe cycling habits this summer.

Event Details:

When: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: East Middle School parking lot (or school gymnasium if the weather calls for it)

Highlights:

Obstacle Course: Learn balance, maneuvering, and proper hand signals.
Helmet & Bike Inspections: Courtesy of UPMC Hamot Trauma Services, the Hamot Health Foundation, Bert’s Bikes and Fitness, and the Erie Bike Cooperative. (Limited new helmets and a selection of bikes available.)
Raffle: Every participant is entered for a chance to win a new bicycle!
Light Meal: Provided by Sam’s Club and state Rep. Pat Harkins office

Children should bring their bicycle and helmet and be accompanied by a parent or guardian to sign a permission slip. Pre-register at www.penndot.pa.gov/district1 by selecting "Bike Rodeo Registration" under Public Resources.

For bike safety information, please visit www.penndot.pa.gov/safety.

Welcoming Tasty Bites to Our Community

We’re excited to share news of a new business in our district—Tasty Bites, now open in the University Gates Apartments Complex off Station Road near the Bayfront Eastside Connector in Harborcreek Township. We extend a warm welcome to Michael and his wife, who have returned to Erie from Colorado to launch this exciting venture.

We look forward to seeing Tasty Bites thrive and contribute to our vibrant local economy.

Exciting Updates from expERIEnce Children's Museum

We recently welcomed Ainslie Brosig, Executive Director of the expERIEnce Children's Museum, to discuss innovative new programming and improved access for underserved populations. The museum’s expansion and renovations make it an excellent time for you to visit and explore the updates.