Budget Negotiations | Ryan's Rescue Program

Budget Negotiations | Ryan's Rescue Program | My Senior Fair is Aug. 25

Rep. Ryan Bizzarro July 10, 2025 | 4:08 PM

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HOW WE VOTED

While the Senate GOP is on vacation, refusing to lead or fulfill their constitutional obligation to provide taxpayers with a balanced budget, the PA House remained at work. Here are some of the bills that passed the House this week:

We protected consumers by requiring companies to provide notification before automatic renewals, so you don't get caught paying for unwanted services. The bill also allows subscribers to cancel their subscriptions online if they initially subscribed online (HB 1299).
We're protecting the safety of hotel workers by requiring “panic buttons” for employees working alone (HB 1358).
We're keeping campgrounds affordable for working families by exempting privately-owned campgrounds from local amusement and admission taxes (HB 1424).

The House returns to session in Harrisburg Monday. Despite their inability to come to a consensus and offer a budget proposal, the Senate GOP leadership is not scheduled to work in Harrisburg until September.

You can always see how the House voted here.

GOP SLASHES HEALTH CARE, INCREASES DEBT

The GOP voted for tax cuts for billionaires at the expense of your neighbors. What does that mean for PA?

Experts have forecast the drastic cuts will put 25 PA hospitals in danger of closing and numerous nursing homes will face the same fate.
More than 300,000 people in PA will lose Medicaid and another 140,000 people in PA will go hungry when they lose food assistance.
The bill’s energy diversity cuts also mean each PA household is expected to pay about $130 more in energy costs per year.
Somewhere between $3 and $5 TRILLION will be added to the national deficit, which typically results in higher interest rates and inflation.

STATE STREET CLOSURE

Please be aware, the Bayfront Parkway Central Corridor Project will necessitate the closure of State Street from Second Street to the Parkway, beginning on Monday, July 21. Find details and a map 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. The best part? It's FREE!

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

RYAN'S RESCUE PROGRAM

Years ago, I partnered with the ANNA Shelter to create Ryan's Rescue Program, which helps pair veterans and pets by sponsoring pet adoptions. It's one more way to thank all those people in our community who have bravely served in our armed forces.

We've had so many great connections through the years, and one more happened last month. David said it was love at first sight when he met his new best friend, Bingo. David, who served in the U.S. Navy, opened his heart and home to Bingo, and we're wishing the two of them countless hours of fun together!

KEEPING PETS SAFE

PA has several laws on the books to keep your pets safe. Consider this a friendly reminder, when it heats up outside, take a couple precautionary measures to keep your four-legged friends safe!

KEEPING YOUR BENEFITS SECURE

Unfortunately, several residents have contacted my office about having their EBT cards hacked, and little can be done about it. Once the card is hacked, there is no short-term way to recover what has been stolen.

The PA Department of Human Services recommends using ConnectEBT to lock your card when you're not using it. Learn more 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 had a full month of travel planned for July, but as budget negotiations continue, the committee is reworking its schedule and is now hoping to travel to York and Berks counties July 28-29.

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