Erie, Dec. 9 -- State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, is celebrating the announcement today by the Detroit Tigers that the Erie SeaWolves will continue playing as their double-A affiliate in Erie. The team’s fate was uncertain after it was placed on a possible elimination list in 2019 by Major League Baseball. “This is welcome news for the entire region,” Bizzarro said. “The SeaWolves create jobs, revitalize our communities and boost economic activity for Erie and surrounding communities.” Because of their multi-million-dollar impact on the region, Bizzarro fought hard for $12 million in state investment to improve UPMC Park, which Gov. Tom Wolf approved in 2018. When the SeaWolves faced elimination last year, Bizzarro introduced a resolution calling on MLB to keep the team where they are. Today’s announcement from the Tigers comes after efforts by Bizzarro in partnership with Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Wolf and other officials to make sure MLB understood the far-reaching impact the opposite decision would have had. “Pennsylvania and Erie Events played ball and made these significant investments in UPMC Park – I’m glad that this team will stay open for our community and we’ll fully realize the benefits of that investment,” Bizzarro said. Read more
ERIE, Dec. 18 – State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro today announced that the Federal Communications Commission has allocated nearly $370 million to expand broadband service to rural Pennsylvanians. The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction will bring access to an estimated 327,000 people living and working in the state. “I am thrilled to learn of this investment. Improved access to broadband puts Erie in a better position to welcome bigger employers to the region and offer better educational opportunities. Seamless access to broadband is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity, especially as we rely on connecting virtually for productivity and public safety efforts,” Bizzarro said. Erie-based organizations received a total allocation of more than $2.5 million, which will expand services to an additional 3,099 customers. CCO Holdings LLC (Charter Communications) received a $2.15 million investment. Erie Space E xploration Technologies Corp. received $172,222 and Erie Windstream Services LLC received $258,098. The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction is part of the FCC’s broader effort to close rural America’s digital divide. Additional information about the initiative is available here . Read more
Erie, Dec. 2 – The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has awarded $17,563 in grants to Erie organizations, Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, announced today. The Erie County Historical Society is set to receive $10,436 and ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum will receive $7,127. The grants are part of a package awarded to applicants under the Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program. The program is designed to provide general operating support to Pennsylvania museums and county historical societies that are not directly supported by other state agency programs. “The children’s museum and Erie Historical Society provide such rich cultural value to our community. I’m proud to report this state funding coming to our region to help preserve Erie history and provide a great learning experience to Erie children and families,” Bizzarro said. “They’ve experienced the impacts of this pandemic too, and these funds will help offset some of those hardships.” A museum must have an annual operating budget exceeding $100,000 (excluding capital and in-kind services) and at least one full-time professional staff person (or approved equivalent) to be eligible for the funding. Additional details about the grants can be found here . Read more
ERIE, Nov. 17 -- State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro and state Senator Dan Laughlin will tour Presque Isle State Park Friday, Nov. 20 to view the impact recent storms on the area. The media is encouraged to attend. The tour will take place at 11 a.m. 301 Peninsula Dr, Erie. “As staff works to cleanup Presque Isle State Park, public safety is at the forefront of those efforts. I thank Secretary Dunn for prioritizing the recovery from recent storms and working with Sen. Laughlin and myself to help Presque Isle State Park fully open soon. People come from near and far to enjoy the beauty Presque Isle has to offer. I look forward to the tour with my Senate colleague and look forward to working together to ensure the park reopens as quickly and safely as possible so everyone can enjoy the great outdoors,” Bizzarro said. Senator Laughlin added, “As Chairman of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee and a member of the Community Economic and Recreational Development Committee, I’ve gained an even greater appreciation for the value Presque Isle brings to our community. We want to do whatever we can to ensure Presque Isle can be enjoyed by families year round.” Recent storms caused power outages, uprooted trees, caused extensive erosion along the shoreline and sand dunes were blown into roads. Paths, parking lot and roadways at the park were covered in sand and water. Portions of the park are Read more
Philadelphia Rep. Joanna McClinton will make history as the new Democratic House leader after Thursday’s caucus leadership elections. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 12 – State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, announced he was elected by his colleagues of the Pennsylvanian House Democratic Caucus to serve as Policy Committee chairman for the 2021-22 Legislative Session. Bizzarro won the three-way race, facing colleagues from the Allegheny and Southeast Delegations, two highly-populated regions of the state. He is the first legislator in Erie to serve the Democratic caucus in this leadership role. “I am grateful a majority of my colleagues appointed me to this post. I value their support and confidence in my abilities to serve our caucus in this leadership role. As chairman of the Policy Committee, I look forward to finding innovative ways to bring the issues that matter most to Pennsylvanians to the forefront. I look forward to working with the leadership team to make sure we put people first with good jobs, access to affordable healthcare, and quality school,” Bizzarro said. Bizzarro has served in the legislature since Jan. 1, 2013 and represents the 3rd Legislative District in Erie County. He previously served as chief deputy House whip, vice chairman of the Northwest Delegation and vice chairman of the Policy Committee. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 12 – The 90 members of the House Democratic Caucus who won election last week to serve during the 2021-22 session today chose their caucus leaders. Due to the high risk of Covid-19 transmission a number of lawmakers participated in the meeting virtually. Read more
ERIE, Nov. 12 – A $25,000 state Keystone grant will fund a needs assessment and relocation feasibility study for the Erie County Public Library’s Millcreek branch, state Reps. Ryan Bizzarro, Bob Merski, and Pat Harkins, all D-Erie, announced today. The lawmakers said the funding from the state Department of Education supports a beloved community resource. “Millcreek Library has worked so hard to foster a love of books in our community,” Bizzarro said. “Even amidst the pandemic, they’ve served as a wonderful resource and continue to provide learning opportunities. This grant will help the library assess its needs so it can continue to enrich our community.” Merski agreed, saying, “With the pandemic having such an isolating effect, it’s especially helpful for people to have a safe gathering place where they can go to search information, attend programs with their kids, or simply relax and interact with neighbors. Securing this funding is going to help the Millcreek branch determine how it can best expand and improve access to those resources.” Harkins said, “Having an accessible community library with open doors is critical because it reminds people that despite how life has changed, there is a still safe, familiar harbor out there. The funding awarded today is an investment in a resource that provides help, hope and a place for people to share common ground.” Read more
ERIE, Nov. 12 – State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, announced today that recycling efforts in Millcreek Township can be boosted thanks to a $129,904 Recycling Program Performance Grant awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. According to DEP, grants are awarded based on total tons recycled and recycling rates for commercial and residential recycling. “Recycling is a small task we all can do that will help reduce our carbon footprint, keep water cleaner, reduce pollution and even create new materials for needed goods. I’m thrilled to announce Millcreek is receiving this grant for their recycling efforts and can reinvest to continue improving upon them,” Bizzarro said. Funding may be used to expand recycling processing facilities, install data collection systems on recycling vehicles, continue or creating curbside recycling programs, develop educational materials or operate leaf compost facilities. Additional information about the program is available by searching Recycling Performance Grants at www.dep.pa.gov . Read more
State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, of Millcreek, D-3rd Dist., has been elected to serve as Pennsylvania House Democratic policy committee chairman for the 2021-22 legislative session. Read more
New to the leadership team are Rep. Dan Miller of Allegheny County as caucus chair, Rep. Tina Davis of Bucks County as caucus secretary, Rep. Mike Schlossberg of Lehigh County as caucus administrator, and Rep. Ryan Bizzarro of Erie County as policy chairman. Read more
Millcreek Township is the recipient of a $129,904 state grant to boost recycling efforts in Millcreek Township, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro announced Thursday. Read more
State Reps. Ryan Bizzarro, Bob Merski and Pat Harkins announced a $25,000 state Keystone grant will fund a needs assessment and relocation study for the Millcreek Public Library, a branch of the Erie County Public Library. Read more
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro announced Thursday evening that he was elected to serve as Police Committee chairman for the 2021-2022 Legislative session. Read more
ERIE, Nov. 10 – State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro said he is pleased to learn that the Office of the State Fire Commissioner has granted Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department’s request for a low-interest loan for safety equipment updates. The $200,000 loan from the Volunteer Loan Assistance Program will help the department cover the cost of a 2020 Pierce Enforcer Heavy Duty Rescue Pumper with 1,000 gallon tank and 1,500 gpm pump. “The low-interest loan will help ensure that the fire company can improve response times to fire emergencies and save money. I thank Fire Commissioner Bruce Trego and the staff who administer these programs that will support our local fire company,” Bizzarro, D-Erie, said. The Volunteer Loan Assistance Program provides low-interest loans to volunteer fire companies, ambulance services and rescue squads for the purchase and modernizing of apparatus, facilities and equipment. Read more
State Rep resentative Ryan Bizzarro said he is pleased to learn that the Office of the State Fire Commissioner has granted Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department’s request for a low-interest loan for safety equipment updates. Read more
Democratic incumbent Ryan Bizzarro will be reelected to another term representing Pennsylvania's 3rd district in the State House of Representatives, the Associated Press (AP) projected late Friday afternoon. Read more
ERIE, Oct. 22 – A state plan in the works to waive liquor license fees for Pennsylvania’s struggling bars, restaurants and clubs during 2021 will bring an important measure of relief for these critical local businesses, state Reps. Ryan Bizzarro, Bob Merski and Pat Harkins, all D-Erie, announced today. The lawmakers said the administration’s plan – which is awaiting final approval from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board – would allow local restaurant and bar owners retain the critical capital they need to stay afloat. “Months of operating under pandemic restrictions have exacted a devastating toll on our area’s family restaurants, bars and clubs, and some creative solutions were definitely needed to help them survive,” Merski said. “Last week, I joined several colleagues in asking the governor to work out a fee waiver plan. “Although it’s not a cure-all for the huge financial challenges that lay ahead and a restaurant relief package is needed as soon as possible, the waiver will help these local mom-and-pop businesses that are so very important to our local economy, and any relief we can provide now is a good thing.” Bizzarro said, “I am happy to see progress being made to support the service industry. These savings will provide great relief to the local restaurants, bars and clubs that have served as a backdrop for many of Read more
In 2019, Pennsylvania officially designated October as Dwarfism Awareness Month, with Oct. 25 named Dwarfism Awareness Day. After seeing a concert skit by Zac Brown Band using a little person in a way that was widely seen as degrading, Nick Sorensen, a local member of Little People of America , reached out to State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro and soon, they were working to create and pass the bill that made this a reality. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 20 – The state House today adopted state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro’s House Resolution 1024 designating Nov. 22, 2020 as Veterans Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day. Bizzarro, D-Erie, said he was approached by Erie County resident Wendy Ridge to work on this resolution recognizing Pennsylvania veterans lost to suicide and to bring awareness to the need for resources and the resources currently available to veterans and their families. “I thank my colleagues for recognizing that our heroes are hurting and that we must support them by acknowledging the reality that we are losing an estimated 22 veterans a day to suicide. The 22 is significant because it helps us to remember those lost. We remind those left behind that we are there for them during these difficult times,” Bizzarro said. House Resolution 1024 urges family members and care providers to initiate free and confidential conversations with Veterans Health Administration Providers via the Veterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255, online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/chat or via text to 838255. “This pandemic had added many additional layers of stress and anxiety to those serving our armed forces and their families. It is more critical than ever to recognize veterans’ suicide as a public health crisis. We have to work earnestly to make sure these men and women who have given our nation so much know there is Read more
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