State Passes Balanced Budget | Cuts Your Taxes | Personal Care Collection Drive

Rep. Ryan Bizzarro November 13, 2025 | 2:56 PM

PA Representative Ryan Bizzarro's banner image

STATE PASSES BALANCED, BIPARTISAN BUDGET

On Wednesday, the House and Senate passed a balanced, bipartisan budget that cuts taxes and provides affordability for workers and working families. We slashed nearly $200 million in wasteful spending, overhauling cyber charter school funding by ending the overpayments to these schools that have persisted for far too long.

This year’s budget:

invests in a new program to attract & retain more child care workers to tackle PA’s 3,000 vacancies in this field,
delivers $30 million to provide student-teacher stipends,
increases federal funding headed to our State Veterans Homes operations,
delivers $183 million for career and technical apprenticeships,
funds early education to get more preschool teachers & support staff,
increases funding for fire protection,
keeps our communities safe by investing in the state police and violence prevention programs,
earmarks $175 million for PA SITES to create shovel-ready locations for companies to expand or relocate & create jobs,
increases funding by $565 million for schools,
lowers the Corporate Net Income Tax to 7.49%,
creates a program to provide hungry people with food from local farmers, and
funds a new program to help our small businesses grow & prosper.

House Democrats also implemented a tax cut for workers and working families, potentially putting an extra $300 to $800 into the pockets of an estimated 1 million Pennsylvania households struggling with higher prices in this challenging economy.

We did all of this without touching an estimated $8 billion in rainy day funds for the state.

HOW WE VOTED

The budget passed Wednesday, and the House approved the expansion of the program that allows seniors to receive reduced prescription medications. Most of our seniors rely on a fixed income, and they shouldn't have to choose between medication or meals. This measure makes sure they can fill their prescriptions.

See how we voted on all bills here.

BEST PRESENT OF ALL

Birthdays are usually about receiving gifts, but I’ve always believed it’s better to give than to receive. As I begin my 40th trip around the sun today, the greatest gift I could ask for is finally delivering a bipartisan budget after such a long impasse.

No one wanted the delay, but it has made the outcome that much more meaningful. This budget delivers real results — tax cuts for small businesses and working families, greater investments in our schools, safer communities, and significant support for seniors and veterans — all without raising taxes.

I always wish we could do more, but real compromise means finding common ground and achieving the best deal possible. The Erie region has waited long enough, and I truly believe the wait was worth it.

HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED

We’ve kicked off a Personal Care Item Donation Drive to support ouneighbors in need, and we need your help if you’re able!

Items such as toothpaste, shampoo, soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, toothbrushes, and cleaning supplies can make a huge difference for individuals and families facing difficult times.

If you’re able, please consider donating new, unused items. Every contribution — big or small — helps someone in our community feel cared for, supported and seen.

Our office in Peninsula Plaza is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Thank you for your consideration.

WORKING FOR YOU

I will always advocate for you and local projects in Harrisburg. Our region is vital to the state’s economy, so I’ve gone to work to secure the state funding we need for local schools, seniors, veterans, improved housing and local businesses. I helped secure $92 million in funding for local projects during the 2023-24 session, and this year state funding for projects in our region has surpassed $18.6 million.

You sent me to Harrisburg to make sure our region has a voice at the table and receives the funding it needs to thrive.

POLICY COMMITTEE CONTINUES WORK

This year, the House Majority Policy Committee has held 42 hearings across 32 ZIP codes in 13 counties.

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 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.

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.

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, Nov. 20
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