Several Local Schools to Receive Funding to Help Special Needs Students Amid Pandemic

(Aug 20, 2020)

Several Local Schools to Receive Funding to Help Special Needs Students Amid Pandemic Read more

 

Fall 2020 Newsletter

(Aug 18, 2020)

A summary of how Rep. Bizzarro is working for the community in Erie and Harrisburg. Read more

 

Hazard Pay Grants will help bolster Erie frontline worker pay

(Aug 17, 2020)

Hazard Pay Grants will help bolster Erie frontline worker pay HARRISBURG, Aug. 17 -- Thanks to the COVID-19 PA Hazard Pay Grants, Erie businesses will receive $331,800 to boost pay to front-line workers helping the community through the pandemic announced Erie state Reps. Ryan Bizzarro, Pat Harkins and Bob Merski. The following Erie-based service providers were awarded grants through the program to help boost essential workers’ pay from Aug. 16 through Oct. 24: $183,600 - LifeServices Management Corp., Westlake Woods Assisted Living Community, Southwoods Assisted Living Community, Hawthorne Woods Assisted Living Community, Richland Woods Assisted Living Community, and The Winds at Mattern Orchard Assisted Living Community. $169,440 - The Sarah A. Reed Retirement Center. “These grants will help front-line workers earn a living wage as they jeopardize their, and their family’s, health and safety by going to work, keeping shelves stocked, caring for children, keeping health care facilities clean, transporting our neighbors and more,” Bizzarro said. “Specifically, the workers of Erie’s care facilities have faced many challenges caring for our most at-risk population and their hard work and dedication more than deserves this boost in pay.” “Since the start of the pandemic, assisted living and nursing care workers have shown up day after day – under the Read more

 

Rep. Bizzarro announces over $700K in water system improvement grants

(Aug 17, 2020)

ERIE, Aug. 17 – State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro today announced that McKean Township and Middleboro will receive state grants from the PA Small Water and Sewer program for construction, repairs and improvements to community wastewater sewage treatment plants. “I strongly advocated for these investments that will help keep public water supplies safe. It’s always less expensive to invest in clean water treatment measures instead of cleaning up contamination. I am thrilled with the state’s investment in helping our local municipalities complete these projects and keep our water supplies clean,” said Bizzarro. Projects funded by the PA Small Water and Sewer Program in Erie’s 3 rd Legislative District as announced by the Commonwealth Financing Authority today include: McKean Township - $425,000 to replace the Colonial Village Subdivision Sewage Treatment Plant. Middleboro - $114,312 to extend a sanitary sewer line along N. Main St. in McKean Borough. Middleboro - $163,801 to construct streambank protection measures for the wastewater treatment plant along Elk Creek in McKean Borough. The Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewer Programs offers municipalities and municipal authorities grants for small water and sewer infrastructure projects. Grants can be used to assist with the construction, improvement, expansion, or rehabilitation or repair of a water supply or sanitary Read more

 

Bizzarro, Harkins, Merski announce Erie to receive $300K investment for area housing security

(Aug 13, 2020)

ERIE, Aug. 13 – State Reps. Ryan Bizzarro, Pat Harkins and Bob Merski, D-Erie, today announced that four Erie-based organizations will receive $300,000 in state funding to help local residents with housing costs. “As we navigate this pandemic, housing security is an important part of public safety. These projects will improve access to affordable housing while stimulating our economy. Public-private partnership is an important part of addressing the drastic need for housing that people can afford,” explained Bizzarro. “These funds will go directly to supporting our most vulnerable neighbors and those who care for them.” “Safe, affordable housing has never been more important as our community endures the economic impact of this pandemic,” Harkins said. “This funding is going to help make sure those in our community who are displaced or in danger of becoming homeless will have the security that comes with knowing they have affordable options. It will also assist residents in making necessary repairs and improvements.” “In addition to helping more Erie families find safe, affordable housing, this funding is going to support and improve related social services,” Merski said. “Some of the funding will be used to develop a centralized intake system so housing counselors can serve additional clients, while other funding will go to support our direct care workers who may facing evictions Read more

 

Four organizations to receive $300,000 in state funding to help Erie residents with housing costs

(Aug 13, 2020)

A total of four Erie-based organizations will receive $300,00 in state funding to help local residents with housing costs, as announced on Thursday by State Representatives Ryan Bizzarro, Pat Harkins and Bob Merski. Read more

 

Area school districts to receive nearly $700,000 in health and safety grants

(Aug 07, 2020)

HARRISBURG, Aug. 7 – State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, announced that area schools will receive state grants to help fund health and public safety concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Schools have been particularly burdened with the impacts of the coronavirus. These funds will help students and teachers get back to classrooms in the safest way possible, equipped with appropriate protective materials. Career and technical schools faced unique challenges and disruption in education, and this grant will help them resume operations and the hands-on learning they provide,” Bizzarro explained. Grant recipients in the 3rd Legislative District include: Millcreek Township School District -- 378,925 PCCD grant General McLane School District -- $203,535 PCCD grant Erie County Technical School -- $116,101 CTC Equity grant The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency awarded COVID-19 Disaster Emergency School Health and Safety grants for the 2020-21 school year from its allocation of federal CARES Act money. Schools may use the funding to purchase cleaning and sanitizing products; training and professional development of staff on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases; equipment purchases; modifying existing areas to support appropriate social distancing of students and staff; providing mental health services and supports; purchasing educational Read more

 

Bizzarro, Harkins, Merski: $13,000 in COVID emergency relief to Erie Art Museum, Historical Society

(Aug 05, 2020)

ERIE, Aug. 5 – The Erie Art Museum and Erie Historical Society will receive $13,000 in federal funding to help with operations impacted by the pandemic, state Reps. Ryan Bizzarro, Pat Harkins and Bob Merski, all D-Erie, announced today. The grants include $7,000 to the historical society and $6,000 to the art museum. “As we reopen, rebuild and restructure to adapt to life during the pandemic, it’s critical that we continue supporting these special places that showcase and preserve our unique Erie history and culture,” Merski said. “The artwork and documents they protect and display serve as a chronicle for future generations about how our community persevered and survived -- even during times of adversity. Keeping them operating is as important now as ever." Harkins said, “In addition to collecting and preserving unique and important art and artifacts, our Erie Art Museum and Historical Society do so much to keep our community educated and engaged through learning, community programs, classes and events. This funding will help ensure that these important community centers can continue operating to provide these services now and in the months to come.” Bizzarro said, “Through their exhibits and displays, our Erie Art Museum and Historical Society play an important role in attracting visitors and tourists to our area, which is important to our local economy. This funding is going Read more

 

Erie Art Museum, Erie County Historical Society to receive $13,000 in COVID emergency relief

(Aug 05, 2020)

State Representative’s Ryan Bizzarro, Pat Harkins and Bob Merski, all D-Erie, announced today that the Erie Art Museum and the Erie County Historical Society will receive $13,000 in federal funding for COVID emergency relief. Read more

 

Coronavirus-Related Safety Grant to Help Erie Universities, Institutions Resume Operations

(Aug 04, 2020)

The grant is part of a $28 million package in federal funding to organizations across Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Erie universities, institutes awarded more than $500,000 in COVID safety grants

(Aug 03, 2020)

ERIE, Aug. 3 – Grant funding of $512,227 will help Erie’s postsecondary education organizations implement plans to keep students learning as schools resume operations this fall, state Reps. Pat Harkins, Bob Merski, and Ryan Bizzarro, all D-Erie, announced today. The lawmakers said the grants -- part of a package of $28 million in federal funding to organizations statewide – include the following: Edinboro University of Pennsylvania -- $239,640. Erie Institute of Technology Inc. -- $11,797. Gannon University -- $106,418. Great Lakes Institute of Technology -- $20,900. Mercyhurst University -- $133,472. “With this funding, our universities and tech institutes will be able to implement plans and purchase equipment to keep students learning in the safest possible ways – whether that’s through online instruction, in-person classes, or a combination of both,” Harkins said. “The money can be used for a variety of resources, from protective and sanitizing equipment to structural modifications to online technology.” “Although learning is most effective when it takes place in a live, energetic environment with real-time questions and demonstrations, the practical concerns raised by the pandemic mean that we have to sacrifice some aspects of that model,” Merski said. “With this funding and creative planning by school administrators, though, Read more

 

Democrats in key states press for a more visible Biden campaign

(Aug 03, 2020)

“I want to see Democrats doing more to get one another excited for this race,” said Pennsylvania state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D), whose Erie County district split its vote in 2016, siding with him and Trump. Read more

 

Harkins, Merski, Bizzarro ask governor to remove 25% capacity limit on restaurants

(Jul 28, 2020)

ERIE, July 28 – State Reps. Pat Harkins, Bob Merski and Ryan Bizzarro, all D-Erie, have joined fellow lawmakers in calling on Gov. Tom Wolf to lift a recent restriction limiting bars and restaurants to 25% indoor capacity. In a letter to the governor co-signed by other members of the Northwest Delegation, the Erie lawmakers said the restriction does little to improve public safety while jeopardizing the survival of key local businesses. “Requiring local restaurants and bars to adhere to a 25% capacity rule will make it incredibly difficult for them to meet operating expenses and survive,” Harkins said. “Instead of punishing all restaurant and bar owners for the transgressions of a few, we should be better enforcing safety violations by the few and leaving our responsible business owners alone so they can help our community make an economic recovery.” Merski agreed, saying “ Protecting the health of our residents doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the viability of the local businesses that are the lifeblood of our economy. There is no reason to believe slashing capacity will enhance public safety, and there is no point in doing so if it will not change the behavior of the few bad actors responsible for the violations. “We need to reinstate the 50% capacity guideline before more residents are forced to resort to crossing state lines to dine out.” Bizzarro said, “We Read more

 

Local Lawmakers Call on Gov. Wolf to Remove 25 Percent Capacity Limit on Bars, Restaurants

(Jul 28, 2020)

The lawmakers say the restriction does little to improve public safety while jeopardizing the survival of local businesses. Read more

 

New Pa. Tax Exemption Program Provides Incentive To Revitalize Blighted Properties

(Jul 20, 2020)

Act 61 of 2020 creates the Tax Exemption and Mixed-Use Incentive Program, which will give a tax break to property owners who plan to bring new life to old buildings. Read more

 

LECOM Announces NWPA Regional Response Health Collaborative

(Jul 20, 2020)

Program made possible through $6.2 million state grant Read more

 

Lawmakers Proposing Bill That Would Modify School Structure For Upcoming Year

(Jul 17, 2020)

Lawmakers Proposing Bill That Would Modify School Structure For Upcoming Year Read more

 

Rep. Bizzarro bill would give school districts flexibility with required instructional days in cases of disaster, emergency declarations

(Jul 15, 2020)

HARRISBURG, July 15 -- In an effort to gives schools the flexibility to prioritize student and faculty safety during disaster and emergency declarations, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro introduced legislation that would give school districts the authority needed to adjust the 180-day instruction requirement. In the case of disaster or emergency declaration by the governor, House Bill 2704 would authorize individual school districts to request an exemption from the 180-day requirement. The bill would permit brick and mortar schools to include virtual education days in meeting the 180-day requirement. “Pennsylvania’s school districts need flexibility to quickly respond to emergent situations. Student safety and quality learning opportunities should remain at the forefront of decision making. My bill would allow schools to include online learning days as part of the 180-day requirement,” explained Bizzarro. “If necessary, they would also have the ability to reduce the number of required instructional days.” If enacted, a school district would submit an exemption request to the Pa. Department of Education for consideration. The Pa. Secretary of Education would then decide if the school district made bona fide effort to provide a reasonable number of instruction days. “A statewide response is not always reasonable and can put more children at a disadvantage. For example, each region of the state has Read more

 

Erie legislators laud Regional Response Health Collaboration Program grant

(Jul 14, 2020)

HARRISBURG, July 14 -- State Reps. Ryan Bizzarro, Pat Harkins and Bob Merski, all D-Erie, today announced LECOM Health and UPMC Community Provider Services will receive $13.6 million to support COVID-19 readiness and response planning in long-term care facilities. The grants, awarded through the Regional Response Health Collaboration Program approved by the General Assembly, will help improve quality care related to infection prevention and allow long-term care facilities to expand COVID-19 testing to include asymptomatic staff and residents in facilities. “I am thrilled to see this investment in the fight against COVID-19 and protecting our most vulnerable citizens,” Bizzarro said. “Long-term care facility workers and residents need resources to help keep safe and mitigate the spread of this virus. When our health systems work together and the most innovative minds join forces, we can make meaningful progress in preserving the well-being of our community,” he explained. “It’s critically important to get this collaborative effort underway,” Merski said. “The pandemic’s effect on our long-term care facilities has been devastating, and we can’t attack the problem in a vacuum. By combining forces and pooling the best possible resources, professionals and information, we can help these facilities implement the kind of long-term planning and strategies they need to mitigate the Read more

 

$13.6 million in grants for COVID-19 readiness

(Jul 14, 2020)

Leaders in the community are taking strides to ease the spread of coronavirus in Erie County. Read more

 

Several Local Schools to Receive Funding to Help Special Needs Students Amid Pandemic
Aug 20, 2020

Fall 2020 Newsletter
Aug 18, 2020

Hazard Pay Grants will help bolster Erie frontline worker pay
Aug 17, 2020

Rep. Bizzarro announces over $700K in water system improvement grants
Aug 17, 2020

Bizzarro, Harkins, Merski announce Erie to receive $300K investment for area housing security
Aug 13, 2020

Four organizations to receive $300,000 in state funding to help Erie residents with housing costs
Aug 13, 2020

Area school districts to receive nearly $700,000 in health and safety grants
Aug 07, 2020

Bizzarro, Harkins, Merski: $13,000 in COVID emergency relief to Erie Art Museum, Historical Society
Aug 05, 2020

Erie Art Museum, Erie County Historical Society to receive $13,000 in COVID emergency relief
Aug 05, 2020

Coronavirus-Related Safety Grant to Help Erie Universities, Institutions Resume Operations
Aug 04, 2020

Erie universities, institutes awarded more than $500,000 in COVID safety grants
Aug 03, 2020

Democrats in key states press for a more visible Biden campaign
Aug 03, 2020

Harkins, Merski, Bizzarro ask governor to remove 25% capacity limit on restaurants
Jul 28, 2020

Local Lawmakers Call on Gov. Wolf to Remove 25 Percent Capacity Limit on Bars, Restaurants
Jul 28, 2020

New Pa. Tax Exemption Program Provides Incentive To Revitalize Blighted Properties
Jul 20, 2020

LECOM Announces NWPA Regional Response Health Collaborative
Jul 20, 2020

Lawmakers Proposing Bill That Would Modify School Structure For Upcoming Year
Jul 17, 2020

Rep. Bizzarro bill would give school districts flexibility with required instructional days in cases of disaster, emergency declarations
Jul 15, 2020

Erie legislators laud Regional Response Health Collaboration Program grant
Jul 14, 2020

$13.6 million in grants for COVID-19 readiness
Jul 14, 2020