I’m proud to share that the Pennsylvania House has passed H.B. 1257, legislation I co-sponsored to expand property tax relief for our veterans.

The bill would exempt all veterans rated 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from property taxes, regardless of combat service, and would explicitly protect surviving spouses. It also moves certain program details into statute so the General Assembly can update rules more quickly as veterans’ needs evolve. Importantly, the bill contains no income or means test — eligibility would be determined by VA disability rating or federal compensation status, not household income. 

This is an important step to remove outdated barriers and provide financial relief to those who sacrificed so much for our country.

This Saturday, March 28, is Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day across Pennsylvania. Youth anglers under 16 may participate with a free Mentored Youth Permit or a Voluntary Youth Fishing License. Learn more and get your permit or license here.

Trout season begins Saturday, April 4. If you plan to fish, please purchase any required licenses and permits and prepare your gear. For details, regulations, and online purchases, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website or use the FishBoatPA mobile app.

Please share this with young anglers and families — it’s a great way to introduce kids to fishing and the outdoors.

We’re pleased to share some great news for Erie transit riders. The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA) has introduced a new fleet of buses featuring state-of-the-art tap-to-pay fare systems and built-in USB charging ports for passengers’ devices, all while maintaining some of the most affordable fares in the Commonwealth.

These upgrades will make daily travel more convenient and reliable for riders across our community. Congratulations to Jeremy Peterson, EMTA’s Executive Director, and to the EMTA staff and board for their leadership in bringing these improvements to Erie.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is accepting applications through May 8. Whether you rent or own, you may qualify for a cash grant of $200–$1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type. This is a grant and does not need to be repaid.

Need help or have questions about eligibility or the application? Call our office at (814) 455-6319. You can also apply online at the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website.

A friendly reminder that the April 15 tax-filing deadline is approaching. If you qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), you are automatically eligible for Pennsylvania’s new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit (WPTC).

The WPTC may return up to $805 when you file your state taxes. For details and eligibility information, please visit pa.gov/WPTC.

You’re invited to join the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for a free webinar: Safeguarding our Veterans

When: Wednesday, April 8 | Time: 10:00–11:00 a.m.

What you’ll learn: challenges Pennsylvania veterans face; protective services and how to report concerns; how to spot scams like pension poaching; and resources available to veterans and families.

To register, click here.

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