Helping people is one of the best parts of being your state representative! That’s why we often visit local residents to share information about state services and programs. We continued our Property Tax/Rent Rebate workshop efforts by visiting Harborcreek Senior Apartments and Grandview Manor to assist residents with completing their Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms.

We also had the opportunity to chat with many of our constituents about issues important to them. If you need help with any state program or service, simply call our office at 814-455-6319 and we will be glad to help you!

Good news for Erie drivers! Erie County will receive over $10 million in PennDOT investments for roads and bridges. This is part of the $460.8 million PennDOT investment, funded by state gas tax revenues.

This funding helps our municipalities maintain roads and bridges through snow removal, repaving and other essential projects.

The state has awarded a $40,000 grant through the It’s On Us PA program to help Mercyhurst strengthen campus safety and prevent sexual violence. This funding will support prevention education, bystander training, and resources for survivors so students can learn and grow in a safer, more supportive environment.

It’s On Us PA, launched in 2016, raises awareness about sexual assault, clarifies consent, and empowers students to intervene and support survivors.

Our office has received reports of scam text messages impersonating PennDOT, demanding payment for alleged fines or threatening license suspension. Please be aware that PennDOT will never send a text message regarding traffic violations or fines. 

If you receive one of these messages, take these steps immediately:

• Ignore the message. Do not click links or scan QR codes.
• Do not pay. Payments requested via text are fraudulent.
• Report the scam to local police.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov..
• Contact the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office at 800-441-2555.
• Forward the text to your carrier as spam by sending it to 7726.

Please share this alert with family and friends so others don’t fall victim to these scams.

We were happy to welcome Jill Foys, executive director of the Northwest Commission, to our office recently.

The Northwest Commission fosters economic growth and community development across an eight-county region, which includes Erie. Northwest Commission offers services like government contracting (APEX Accelerator), business financing, and grants. Thanks to Jill for stopping by!

We are always delighted to participate in Read Across America Week and help promote literacy. Thank you to Diehl Elementary School and the Barber National Institute Preschool program for inviting us to read for students.

In honor of Doctor Seuss’ birthday, we read two of his classics, Which Pet Should I Get? and ABC. Literacy is the cornerstone of learning—for all ages! 

Bob Merski

District Office

3921 Buffalo Rd.

Erie, PA 16510

(814) 455-6319

Pennsylvania State Capitol

221 Irvis Office Building

P.O. Box 202002

Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 787-4358