Senior Fair Aug. 25 | National Night Out Tuesday | Investments Saving Our Hometowns

Rep. Ryan Bizzarro July 31, 2025 | 2:39 PM

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ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION

As chairman of the House Majority Policy Committee, our committee had a firsthand look this week at how state investments are powering the revitalization of PA’s hometowns. We toured Reading, which is a City Revitalization and Improvement Zone, and CRIZ serve as valuable tools in fighting blight and spurring economic growth by paving the way for the redevelopment of cities across PA, including Erie. The state government-designated areas capture and reinvest state and local taxes generated within these zones and invests it in revitalizing the zone.

Reading has lost jobs with businesses pulling out of the Penn Street business corridor, but it was able to reinvest dollars to preserve historic buildings and reimagine those spaces for new opportunities – a similar scenario I know is possible in Erie.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IS TUESDAY

My team will be spread out during National Night Out on Tuesday in Erie County. We will be stationed at Belle Valley Fire Department (6 to 8 p.m.) and Fairview Fire & Rescue (6 to 8 p.m.).

Make sure you stop by!

Looking for a National Night Out event near you? Go here.

SENIOR FAIR: JOIN US AUG. 25

My Senior Fair typically draws about 1,000 seniors from across the region. You can expect to see friends and former coworkers, you might even run into old classmates. It’s a great time to get the information you need – while you catch up with friends and mingle with familiar faces from around the area!

If you've never attended my annual Senior Fair, make this the year you join us. We will have:

Dozens of local vendors!
Entertainment!
Refreshments!
Giveaways + much more!
And it's all FREE!

SCAMS INCREASING: POSING AS STATE AGENCIES

If you get a text or email telling you about a ticket or unpaid fee you didn’t know about, rest assured it’s a scam.

Don't respond!
Don't open links!

This week, PA House & Senate Transportation Committee Chairs reached across the aisle to warn residents about the growing number of text and email scams posing as official correspondence from PennDOT, PA Turnpike, and/or EZ-Pass. Criminals are attempting to steal your money or personal information.

Read more from the House Transportation Chairman here. If you have received these texts, you can report this fraud here.

WE ARE READY TO HELP YOU

If you need assistance with state programs, my office can help!

Last year, we:

helped 1,200+ people apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program,
resolved 4,500+ issues with PennDOT, and
completed 38,000+ items of casework.

Trust the professionals! Bring your issues to my team, we can help.

POLICY COMMITTEE HOSTS ROUNDTABLES IN BERKS & LANCASTER COUNTIES

MONDAY, BAINBRIDGE, LANCASTER COUNTY: The PA House Democratic Policy Committee toured Nissley Vineyards with the help of a third generation operator of the winery. PA winemakers sit at the intersection of agriculture and commerce, and they detailed how a single cold spell in December can cause thousands of dollars in damage, killing acres of vines. They also explained the difficulties in navigating regulations, distribution and unfair out-of-state competition. The Central PA House Delegation hosted the event and provided multiple voices, including Erie County’s Bob Mazza, who offered a wealth of knowledge on the industry. Growers and producers from Mazza Wines and Waltz Vineyards in Lancaster joined the conversation, helping explain what reforms would help grow these vital local, family-owned businesses in our communities.

TUESDAY, READING, BERKS COUNTY: The PA House Democratic Policy Committee toured downtown Reading Tuesday, with Rep. Manny Guzman serving as a tour guide to illustrate how state investments are saving historic buildings and transforming a downtown. We walked through a building that has been vacant for 25+ years but will soon open as a grocery store. We toured the multi-million dollar projects transforming Alvernia University. We also walked down the Penn Street business corridor, learning what it had been and what officials hope it will one day become.

HITTING THE ROAD AGAIN SOON

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 24 hearings across 17 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 will travel to Centre County Aug. 12 and Philadelphia from Aug. 18-20.

HOW WE VOTED

Budget negotiations continue, and the House is prepared to return to Harrisburg as soon as agreements have been reached. You can see how the House voted on every bill here.

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, Aug. 21
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