Win for Workers | Money Back in Your Pocket | Save the Date For My Senior Fair

Rep. Ryan Bizzarro June 27, 2025 | 3:32 PM

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HOW WE VOTED

This week, the PA House continued to find ways to help workers and boost local, small businesses across the commonwealth.

We voted for a bill to end taxes on overtime and tips and created a Working Pennsylvanians tax credit, which would help nearly a million people who already claim the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit and give them up to $2,300 back (HB 1610). This bill would boost small, local businesses by reducing taxes on corporate net income and closing loopholes so multi-state corporations can’t hide their PA income and report it in other states with lower taxes. Despite all these positives, and the fact the House passed this tax reform with bipartisan support, 99 GOP lawmakers voted against it.

We passed bills to improve health care and save lives. We restored dental coverage within the Medical Assistance program (HB 583), ensured day care facilities have access to EPI pens (HB 928) and removed barriers for students receiving health care in schools (HB 1445) – which would improve the access to health care for children in rural and low-income regions of the state.

We banned junk fees, requiring the disclosure of all fees and charges included in the advertised and displayed price of any good or service (HB 1216).

We protected children and teens from illicit vape products by requiring them to comply with federal regulations (HB 1425).

We addressed the childcare and teacher shortages by helping those who return to this field (HB 1403). We increased the length of certification for teachers and educators in career and technical education (HB 1404). We also provided recruitment and retention bonuses for licensed childcare providers (HB 506).

We also protected communities and ensured fair housing access by sealing no-fault evictions (HB 1095) and giving communities more input on liquor license decisions (HB 559).

The House returns to vote in Harrisburg on Monday. You can see how we voted on all bills here.

WIN FOR WORKERS, BOOST FOR BUSINESS

Tax reform means we put more money in your pocket and we lift up our small, local businesses, ensuring they are on level footing!

PUTTING MORE MONEY BACK IN YOUR POCKET

This year, the legislation I championed to automatically return unclaimed property totaling up to $500 to state taxpayers went into effect. It has been a huge success, returning more than $10 million.

This week, I joined PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity and state Sens. Frank Farry and Scott Hutchinson to announce the second wave of Pennsylvania Money Match checks. I advocated to cut more red tape with my bill that would automatically return unclaimed property of $10,000 or less to taxpayers.

I'm hopeful it advances through the state Senate to become law. You can read more about it here.

SAVE THE DATE: MY SENIOR FAIR IS AUG. 25

Make plans to join us this summer for my annual Senior Fair, which typically draws about 1,000 people from around the region. We will once again have free refreshments, giveaways, entertainment, and dozens of vendors & organizations.

Join us Monday, Aug. 25 at the Zem Zem Shrine Club!

LOCAL HEADLINE: BIZZARRO HELPS DELIVER MILLIONS

You can learn more about the Money Match program and Money Match checks here.

WELCOMING ERIE COUNTY STUDENTS

Erie County students participating in the Keystone Girls State stopped by my office this week. McDowell graduate Kelly Sennett (white shirt) attended Keystone Girls State last year and now serves as a junior counsellor. She stopped by my office in the morning when I was out at a meeting, but she saw me in the hall and circled back to introduce herself. (I had recently worked to secure state investments so vehicles could be purchased for West Lake Fire Department, where her father serves & oversees operations.)

I also ran into Bri Ryan, who is a student that has worked with my office, and I was able to take her on the House floor for an impromptu tour of the chamber.

Keystone Girls State is an annual government education program sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary that provides rising high school seniors from across PA the opportunity to learn and explore leadership training and public service. (Keystone Boys State traveled to Harrisburg just last week.)

It's always great to reconnect and meet people from home when I'm in Harrisburg!

LEARNING MORE ABOUT ELECTRIC VEHICLES

This week, I joined House Majority Transportation Committee Chairman Rep. Ed Neilson and Policy Subcommittee Chair Rep. Emily Kinkead outside the Capitol to learn the latest in electric vehicles and what they could mean for our hometowns. The event featured different types of electric vehicles from various manufacturers with experts who provided answers to questions.

We even tried out the latest electric scooters, which seemed appropriate knowing Rep. Kinkead has a bill to allow municipalities to authorize shared e-scooter programs following the success of a pilot program in Pittsburgh.

The House has numerous bills concerning electric vehicles, including measures to help taxpayers afford hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles and legislation to help protect consumers.

TRYING TO IMPROVE PA HOUSING

This week, members and officers from the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors visited my Harrisburg office to review the upcoming legislative agenda. We discussed priorities, including the issues shaping PA's housing landscape. We tried to pinpoint bills that would help PA residents, including:

Housing affordability & access: We discussed my first-time homebuyer savings account bill (House Bill 818) and sealing eviction records (HB 1095, State Rep. Smith-Wade-El) for no-fault evictions and/or seven years have passed.
Elevating professionalism: Boosting appraiser training (HB 30, State Rep. Manny Guzman).
Prohibiting discrimination: Stopping discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (HB 300, State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta).

SENIOR VOUCHERS

Senior vouchers are available once again this year in our region for the purchase of fresh foods and vegetables. Please note, the Bayfront Convention Center (June 30) and Fairview Tri-Boro Senior Center (July 7) distribution events are happening in the next couple days. Find more information 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 22 hearings across 15 ZIP codes in 7 counties so far this year, and we expect to host 100+ hearings this session – which is our typical workload.

Up next: The Policy Committee is finalizing its summer schedule with hearings planned to northeastern PA July 14-16.

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, July 17
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