Improving Public Safety | Need for Starter Housing

Improving Public Safety | Need for Starter Housing | Challenges Facing Workers

Rep. Ryan Bizzarro December 11, 2025 | 3:39 PM

PA Representative Ryan Bizzarro's banner image

MORE THAN $1 MILLION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY

I worked closely with victims and saw firsthand how essential it is that they are truly heard and connected with the support and programs they need when I worked as the victim/witness advocate for the Office of the Erie County District Attorney.

The state announced a series of grants totaling $1,142,552 this week that will strengthen public safety by addressing the needs of victims, law enforcement, and the professionals working every day to keep our communities safe. Read more here.

This continues my efforts to bring financial support to local projects and services. This year, our team has helped secure $19,991,294 million in funding back to the region.

TALKING ABOUT CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES

I had a great time in Pittsburgh last week catching up with my friends at IBEW Local 5 and the Pennsylvania Laborers' District Council. We laughed, swapped stories, and had real conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing workers across our state.

I always value the chance to connect with the people who power our communities — and last week's visit was no exception.

MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

Gov. Josh Shapiro led the festivities on Monday during the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg. This year's tree is a 25-foot Douglas fir grown in Carbon County. The tree features more than 1,700 handmade ornaments by pre-K children and older adults from across Pennsylvania, and the high school choir from nearby Central Dauphin performed at the ceremony.

HOW WE VOTED

The House returns to Harrisburg for session on Monday. To see how we voted on all measures, go here.

PRESQUE ISLE LIGHTS

Presque Isle Lights have returned. They continue to take place Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 28! Take a weekend evening drive through Presque Isle State Park and enjoy the festive displays.

POLICY COMMITTEE TALKS WORKER NEEDS, HOUSING NEEDS

The Policy Committee hosted a pair of roundtable discussions this week.

The Sheetmetal Workers Union Local 19 training center in Philadelphia gives people the training they need to succeed in the trades while also making the components needed to grow and expand industry in Pennsylvania. On Monday, the committee toured the facility, and we hosted a conversation on how the legislature can better support and invest in workers.

Starter housing is in short supply, and the price is out of reach for too many people. Rep. Paul Friel brought the committee to Phoenixville in Chester County on Tuesday to talk with housing advocates and experts about what can be done to put more Pennsylvanians in homes.

This year, the House Majority Policy Committee has held 44 hearings across 34 ZIP codes in 14 counties.

As a member of the House Majority Leadership team, I serve as Chairman of the 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 for improving lives across the commonwealth.

UP NEXT: The Committee will travel to Cumberland County in January.

HONORED TO REPRESENT YOU

I’m grateful for the people I’m honored to represent. Your trust, your voices, and your kind words inspire me every single day.

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 $19.9 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.

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.

LAST CALL TO APPLY FOR 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!

Our office will stop processing applications on Monday, Dec. 15! The deadline to apply to the program is Dec. 31.

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, Dec. 18
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