Working for You | Happy Fourth of July | My Senior Fair is Aug. 25

Rep. Ryan Bizzarro July 2, 2025 | 2:23 PM

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HOW WE VOTED

Harrisburg has an obligation: We need to pass a budget that delivers critical funding for programs and services throughout the state. We need funding to help people now, and we need investments to drive us forward.

While the Senate GOP searches for a consensus among their colleagues, the House remains at work.

This week, we protected consumers and capped overdraft and nonsufficient fees on bank transactions (HB 1553) and required a service company to clearly and conspicuously provide the consumer with the option to opt into, rather than opt out of, a service (HB 129).

We supported new moms by expanding Medical Assistance to cover blood pressure monitors for home use as a pregnancy-related service (HB 1234).

We acted to guard the good health of the brave firefighters who put their own safety on the line for all of us by reducing their exposure on the job to certain chemicals (HB 1261).

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

PROTECTING PA FROM UNLAWFUL ACTIONS

I stand with my colleagues in supporting efforts to cut the waste, fraud & abuse of taxpayer dollars anywhere. What we’ve seen instead is the indiscriminate cutting of critical funding for services already agreed to by Congress. When extremists unlawfully cancel multi-million dollar contracts it real-life ramifications in PA, including efforts to strip funding to 189 PA farms and 14 PA food banks.

We can’t sit back and let this happen without a fight. Pennsylvania House Democrats continue to use our majority to protect your health care, economy and right to vote. The Protecting Pennsylvanians Act builds on that work with additional protections for working families who are being hurt by the DOGE disaster in DC.

I'm working alongside Rep. Morgan Cephas on a bill to protect PA seniors, veterans, farmers, local businesses, universities and food banks that have contracts with the federal government, only to see the unlawful acts of extremists in Washington hurt them. Read more here.

HONORING SCHOLARS

Last week, CLASS Act Emerging Leaders were honored from the 2024-25 school year. Students received recognition for their CLASS, or character, leadership, attitude, service, selflessness.

Congratulations to all the honorees but especially to Fairview's Finn Jennsen, who was the March 2025 honoree as well as the 2025 recipient of a $5,500 scholarship.

Finn was not able to attend the ceremony, however, Finn's father (pictured with Susan Prichard of my office and Brad Whitman, the Executive Director of the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit, or IU5) was able to attend on his behalf.

Each month 17 school districts in Erie, Crawford and Warren counties present one student nominee. The nominee, grades 10 through 12, is selected by faculty members. A credentialed committee then selects the most outstanding to be honored with a $1,200 Emerging Leader Award Scholarship monthly.

?I'm thankful my office provided letters of distinction and plaques to honor ALL recipients for their outstanding acts of service, leadership and kindness to others. I hope all the students in the region continue to excel in the classroom and stand out because of their positive behavior.

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. The best part? It's FREE!

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

WISHING YOU A SAFE HOLIDAY

You can find a list of community parades and fireworks here or in the link above.

If you use fireworks, please be courteous to your neighbors and realize fireworks could be an issue for parents with small children & homeowners with pets.

Learn more about Millcreek Township regulations here, including a map of prohibited areas for fireworks in Millcreek.

ENJOY INDEPENDENCE DAY

My offices, and many state and federal offices, will be closed Thursday and Friday. We will begin returning messages Monday.

SENIOR VOUCHERS

Senior vouchers are available once again this year in our region for the purchase of fresh foods and vegetables. Please note, the Tri-Boro Senior Center (July 7) distribution event is 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 in accordance with the budget negotiations still happening, but we are scheduled to southeast PA July 21-23.

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