Pennsylvanians looking for relief from the hardships of the past year can look to the House Democrats’ Pennsylvania Rescue Plan for solutions that do the most good for the most people. The House Democratic Leadership team released the following statement on how the plan would strengthen communities, help working people and support businesses and families: “We have a unique opportunity to drastically improve the lives of millions of Pennsylvanians with smart investments in people, businesses, health care and our workforce. The Pennsylvania Rescue Plan does just that by directing federal funds to help businesses get back on solid ground, invest in our frontline workers who were essential to getting us through the pandemic, repair our crumbling public schools so students can learn and teachers can teach in a non-toxic environment and strengthen our workforce through training tomorrow’s in-demand employees. Read more
Schools statewide are in urgent need of upgrades for the health and safety of students and staff, and a recent meeting of the House Democratic Policy Committee’s Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People highlighted what actions the state can take to address toxic schools. Read more
Local lawmakers say expanding passenger rail could boost the state's economy. State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) took part in a town hall Tuesday on rail traffic. Read more
State Reps. Pat Harkins, Bob Merski and Ryan Bizzarro, all D-Erie, announced that $804,200 in grant money will go toward enhancing fishing opportunities in Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie. The projects are funded by the Erie Access Improvement program. Read more
Weidenhammer was one of more than a dozen passenger train proponents participating in the state House Democratic Policy Committee hearing, Read more
They say they built the train tracks over Read more
HARRISBURG, April 13 -- Passenger rail has the potential to improve regional access and reduce traffic congestion and state Rep. Joe Ciresi led today’s House Democratic Policy Committee to discuss how the state can get on board. The hearing featured three panels of testifiers highlighting President Joe Biden’s recent infrastructure plan and how rail connection across the state could help rural and suburban areas benefit from economic growth. Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro shared, “Improving passenger rail has the potential to create jobs, streamline commutes and would have a positive environmental impact on the state. I thank Representative Ciresi for hosting today’s hearing and I look forward to continuing this conversation on how investment of state and federal dollars can boost economic development throughout the state.” "I was grateful to the testifiers and the participants in today's hearing for continuing an important conversation about investment in passenger rail service," Ciresi said. "What we learned today is critical to making wise decisions about infrastructure and what is involved to bring much-needed improvements to transportation in many parts of the state, especially in Pottstown, Royersford and other stops on the potential Reading-to-Philadelphia corridor that I've long been working to resurrect. Our partnerships, both with the private sector and our federal elected officials, will be Read more
ERIE, April 12 – State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro said he is happy to hear news that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission announced nearly $650,000 in investments in projects that will benefit Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie. Erie Access Improvement Program Grants impacting the third legislative district include the following: $205,000 -- Regional Science Consortium, Lake Erie Buoy Project, Lake Erie, Erie County $95,600 -- Fairview Township, Avonia Beach Park Improvements “Lake Erie is a booming natural resource. It brings economic activity to the region and I’m thrilled to see that fees collected here are staying here to help us protect that resource and preserve efforts to give anglers the best quality access to fishing opportunities,” Bizzarro said. Grants will fund the Regional Science Consortium’s Lake Erie buoy project to collect real-time information on wind, water and wave conditions and help collect data for aquatic health and water preservation efforts; and Fairview Township Avonia Beach Improvements. Other projects in Erie County include: the Erie-Western PA Port Authority received funding totaling $352,000 for Holland Street Pier fishing access and the Lampe Marina Fish Cleaning refrigeration unit. Funds are generated via special permitting fees and reinvested into the region through the Erie Access Improvement Program, made possible by Act 159 of 2004, which created a Read more
HARRISBURG, April 12 – As Pennsylvania expands vaccine eligibility, the House Democratic Policy Committee heard from the manufacturers tirelessly working to develop safe and effective vaccines for global use. At a Policy Committee hearing today, testifiers included representatives from Biotechnology Innovation Organization and Pfizer, who provided details on the technology behind the development of the COVID-19 vaccines and how the United States can reach herd immunity. Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and state Reps. Patty Kim and Darisha Parker facilitated the hearing, where Amy Walker, director of Infectious Diseases Policy for Biotechnology Innovation Organization and Lisa Coen, senior director, Vaccine Public Affairs with Pfizer, shared insight into the science behind the creation of COVID-19 vaccines, ongoing research, development and trials. Walker shared that five presidents, both Democratic and Republican, have been vaccinated, highlighting that the vaccines have received bipartisan support. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to have conversations based on science and fact. These vaccines will save lives and I encourage everyone eligible and interested to take the advice of scientists and medical professionals and help put this pandemic behind us,” Bizzarro implored. “It is important for us to hear this testimony today, especially for my constituents,” Parker said. “Communities of color have battled COVID extra Read more
HARRISBURG, April 12 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi is exploring how Pennsylvania can get passenger rail back on track for improved commuting and efficiency in transportation. He will host a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 13. The media and public are invited to watch online at www.pahouse.com/policy or on the committee’s Facebook page -- @PADemPolicy. Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net . Ciresi will lead the hearing to learn more about how state and regional transit authorities can play a role in improving Pennsylvania infrastructure and the role this investment would play in the state’s economy. Additional hearing information will be available by clicking here . Read more
Starting April 13th, everyone in Pennsylvania ages 16 and up will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 9 – The committee will hear from the biotech industry and COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers at a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing hosted by state Reps. Patty Kim and Darisha Parker. The hearing will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 12 . The media and public are invited to watch online at www.pahouse.com/policy or on the committee’s Facebook page--@PADemPolicy. Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net . Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, Vice Chair Mary Isaacson and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee will join Kim and Parker to discuss how supply is catching up with demand and how vaccine distribution is meeting the needs of Pennsylvanians seeking vaccination. Additional hearing information will be available by clicking here or visiting www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more
HARRISBURG, April 8 -- Schools statewide are in urgent need of upgrades for the health and safety of students and staff, and today’s meeting of the House Democratic Policy Committee’s Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People highlighted what actions the state can take to address toxic schools. The public virtual hearing, hosted by Subcommittee Chair Elizabeth Fiedler and state Sen. Vincent Hughes, brought together educators from across the state, healthcare and legal professionals, and labor experts to discuss the implications of inaction and benefits of investment in school safety. Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro explained, “Pennsylvania schools need repair. Addressing these concerns will put our skilled laborers to work at family sustaining wages and set children and educators up for good health and success now and in the future.” “Most of Pennsylvania’s schools were built in the 50s when the knowledge of safe materials was limited,” Fiedler said. “But there are plenty of schools built even before that. Those old buildings pose so many health problems to our children, teachers and the community at large where they are.” “While we are in the middle of conversations to make upgrades and accommodations to our schools because of COVID, let’s take this time to discuss what overall solutions are available to make these sick buildings healthy for our kids and everyone who Read more
HARRISBURG, April 6 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, chair of the Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People, is partnering with state Sen. Vincent Hughes to host a public hearing to discuss the current state of toxins in schools and the impacts they have on health and learning outcomes. The hearing will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 8 . The media and public are invited to watch online at www.pahouse.com/policy or on the committee’s Facebook page--@PADemPolicy. Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net . Fiedler will be joined by Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee for members to learn more about repair and remediation options available to schools and how the General Assembly can support efforts to address the issue. Additional hearing information will be available by clicking here . Read more
The least partisan thing we can imagine is the fundamental right to vote. When we talk with Republicans and Democrats — people, not politicians — there is little debate. Anyone who is lawfully registered should be able to vote, securely and conveniently. What we saw happen in Georgia this week, and what is proposed here in Pennsylvania, is the opposite of that. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 1 -- State Representative Rob Matzie, Democratic Chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, led yesterday’s House Democratic Policy Committee on bridging the digital divide. The hearing is the third in a series this week focused on net neutrality and bridging the gap to improve future outcomes for educators, students, health care access and Pennsylvania businesses. “This hearing was a great cap on the weeks’ discussions on how we can make sure Pennsylvania is digitally connected. The last year has shown us that reliable internet, computers and phone help keep us learning, working, entertained, managing health and in touch with family and friends. I thank Chairman Matzie for leading the discussion and look forward to a public-private partnership that helps close the divide,” said Ryan Bizzarro, chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee. “Quick, reliable Internet access isn’t a luxury in today’s world – it’s a necessity,” said Matzie. “Those without it face major disadvantages when it comes to competing for jobs, accessing health and education services and connecting to state programs. I’m hosting this hearing because we need to develop solutions to bridge this digital divide now, before it threatens to disenfranchise more Pennsylvanians.” The committee heard testimony from Brian Barno, Broadband Cable Association of Pennsylvania; Joseph Glinka, government Read more
ERIE, April 1 – Residents of the third legislative district can now connect with state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro via a new app aimed at connecting lawmakers and constituents. Be the Change launched as a pilot in 2020 and connects community members with their local policy makers. The app is a free and nonpartisan platform aimed to improve advocacy efforts. “I look forward to partnering with Be the Change to have another tool to talk with residents. My office already serves as one of the busiest in the state. I am always looking for ways to connect and hear from my neighbors so I can best serve them and be their voice in state government,” Bizzarro said. Users can download the free app and share causes categorized by environment, transportation, disabilities, COVID-19, legislative feedback, aging, children and youth, commerce and economic development. Legislators can comment on causes and other users can give a thumbs up or thumbs down. Keeping cause commenting to the original poster and legislator aims to keep conversations on topic and productive. Bhavini Patel, cofounder and CEO of Be the Change, said the app was created to make legislative advocacy more accessible, foster healthy civic dialogue and to help build a welcoming community for all. The app is funded by grants including the UpPrize: BNY Mellon Social Innovation Challenge and the Ascender Incubator Program. Bizzarro said he is excited to be among the first state representatives to use Be the Read more
A new app designed to connect community members with local policy makers is now available, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro announced Thursday. Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates.
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.
Please use the form below to email Rep. Ryan Bizzarro.
Thank you. Your feedback has been sent.
Peninsula Plaza,1101 Peninsula Drive, Suite 213Erie, PA 16505-4169
P*: (814) 835-2880P: (833) 787-0992
F*: (814) 835-2885
Hours of Operation - Mon. through Fri. - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fairview Township Building7471 McCray RoadFairview, PA 16415-2401
P*: (814) 835-2880
Every Wednesday | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
116 Main Capitol BuildingP O Box 202003Harrisburg, PA 17120-2003
P*: (717) 772-2297P: (833) 787-0992
F*: (717) 780-4767