HARRISBURG, PA — Responding to the Capitol insurrection in January and the signing of new restrictions on voting rights last week in Georgia, House Democrats are taking action. Read more
March 29 – Responding to the Capitol insurrection in January and the signing of new restrictions on voting rights last week in Georgia, House Democrats are taking action to protect American democracy. Read more
ERIE, March 29 – Pennsylvania school districts struggling financially to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to receive almost $5 billion in additional federal assistance, which includes approximately $115 million for schools in Erie County, announced state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie. 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... Read more
HARRISBURG, March 25 -- Education and shattering social norms are key in combatting racism in high schools and colleges, as evidenced by testimony at today’s House Democratic Policy Committee hearing hosted by state Reps. Maureen Madden and Malcolm Kenyatta. The Monroe and Philadelphia County legislators led today’s discussion bringing together state officials, students and educators to brainstorm solutions that aim to help break cycles of systemic racism via policy development and implementation. “How do we start conversations that help people understand that freedom of speech should not be a free pass for racism? We all deserve to be respected and the blatant hate and disrespect for others is impacting lives. Hate has no place in our education system. Students go to school to learn, grow and often overcome any barriers the hand that life has dealt them. I’m grateful for this forum today to learn what’s happening in our education system and what lawmakers can do to overcome the racism in our schools,” Madden shared. “Terms like ‘diversity quota’ and ‘affirmative action applicant’ are just some of the covertly racist insults that disparage the merits of students and faculty of color in academia. Ultimately, these slights have devastating effects on the emotional and mental health of these students and faculty, thereby straining their likelihood to graduate and excel at these institutions,” Read more
HARRISBURG, March 23 – Recent incidents of racism involving students at the high school and college levels will be discussed at a House Democratic Policy Committee virtual hearing hosted by state Reps. Maureen Madden and Malcolm Kenyatta. The hearing will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 25. To view the hearing, the media and public can tune in to www.pahouse.com/policycommittee or the committee’s Facebook page -- @PADemPolicy. Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net . Madden and Kenyatta will be joined by committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and Democratic Policy Committee members to hear from educators, state officials and advocates on how to curb racism with meaningful policy reforms. Additional hearing information will be available by clicking here . Read more
With time running out to provide a chance at justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse through an emergency constitutional amendment, the House Democratic leadership team released the following statement calling on Republican leadership to commit to bringing the measure up for a vote on Monday:“In early February, Republican leadership made a public promise on the House floor to get an emergency constitutional amendment to the Senate and provide a chance at justice to the survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Due to their wavering and inaction this week, we’re now dangerously close to running out of time to get this in front of Pennsylvanians in the May Primary Election. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 11 – Trust and inclusive policies are key in getting COVID-19 vaccines distributed to communities of color and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee heard from multiple researchers, doctors and advocates on how to execute those strategies. Read more
ERIE, March 10 -- State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, announced that $66,578 has been designated for three organizations in Erie County to help with their security protections against possible hate crimes. Temple Anshe Hesed in Millcreek Township was awarded $20,498 under the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program , run by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The program is for non-profits that serve members of the community that could be targeted for hate crimes because of their race, ethnicity, ancestry, religion or other categories identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “After the Pittsburgh synagogue attack in 2018, the legislature moved swiftly to help protect places that could be next,” explained Bizzarro. “I was glad to vote in favor of it and see the benefits of that legislation come right here to Millcreek and Erie County.” In addition to the money award to Temple Anshe Hesed, $24,955 was awarded to the Islamic Association of Erie and $21,125 was awarded to Urban Erie Community Development Corporation. The money can be used to purchase equipment and technology, conduct trainings or be used on any other project that would help protect the safety and security of people. “As we see a rise in hate crimes across the country, it’s terrible to think of the possibility of an attack here where we live, especially at a house of worship,” Bizzarro said. “While I hope that horror never Read more
Three Erie County organizations have been awarded nearly $67,000 in an effort to prevent possible hate crimes, state Reps. Ryan Bizzarro, Pat Harkins and Bob Merski (all D-Erie) announced Wednesday. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 9 – State Reps. Donna Bullock and Stephen Kinsey will host a joint hearing of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and House Democratic Policy Committee this week to explore how communities of color have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Introduced by Reps. Ryan Bizzarro and Pam Snyder, the legislation would allow couples to register for a vaccination appointment at the same time, add any risk categories such as smoking or pre-existing medical conditions, a note for first responder or essential worker status, and how far the individual is willing to travel to secure a vaccine. Read more
Residents are frustrated with the vaccine distribution process. Many people who are eligible for the vaccine in Phase 1A still have not received it and when they try to sign up, they cannot even get on a waiting list for an appointment. Read more
Being pro-life means getting a vaccine as soon as you can and not worrying about the brand Read more
Some local representatives say if the $1.9 trillion COVID relief legislation becomes law, it would have an impact on people across the commonwealth. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 4 – In an effort to strengthen communities and provide stability for families, state Reps. Rosemary Brown, R-Monroe, and Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, reintroduced House Bill 730 that would establish a new savings account program for first-time homebuyers. The First-time Homebuyers Savings Accounts would allow account holders to make tax deductible contributions at a total of $50,000 over a 10-year period, with an annual contribution cap of $5,000 for single taxpayers and $10,000 for those filing a joint return. “Homeownership is an important part of establishing roots. It’s difficult to do that without having a healthy savings account and this bill would give Pennsylvanians a powerful tool to save and prepare for the homeownership experience,” said Brown. “This bill will also benefit younger Pennsylvanians and those who have yet to embark on the journey of homeownership.” Bizzarro added, “Rent costs are out of control. More and more people are looking to own and offering this savings program will give many the boost needed for hardworking people to achieve the stability that homeownership affords.” According to the National Association of Realtors and Home Ownership Matters, the program has the potential to boost home sales by 4,000 annually across the state and economic impacts are estimated at up to more than $68 million. “Homeownership is down to under 40 percent amongst the under 35 age group. Read more
Being pro-life means getting a vaccine as soon as you can and not worrying about the brand. This week we saw one of the most careless, irresponsible and anti-science statements made since the COVID-19 crisis began over a year ago – a statement that will certainly lead to more infections, more hospitalizations and more Americans dead. No, I’m not talking about Texas Governor Greg Abbott telling people to stop wearing masks even as cases in his state spike and as every single coronavirus variant known to medical science rages in Houston. I’m talking about the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh joining with the Catholic Conference of Bishops to tell Catholics to avoid the Johnson & Johnson single-shot COVID-19 vaccine. A literal medical miracle crafted by hands guided with divine providence that is 85 percent effective against preventing severe illness in cases of COVID-19 infection, and 100 percent effective in preventing death in cases of COVID-19 infection. I am a life-long Catholic. I am also a childhood cancer survivor; a product of science and medical miracles. Many doctors wrote me off and told my parents they could do nothing more than keep me comfortable until I died. By the grace of God, clinical trials, modern medicine, and nothing short of a miracle—I am able to serve this commonwealth today. As a life-long Catholic, I cannot fathom how anyone can call themselves truly “pro-life” and tell a worried senior citizen or a Read more
Some in Harrisburg are trying to streamline the system. State Representative Ryan Bizzarro helped to draw up House Bill 633. If passed, the legislation would create a state wide portal for eligible people to sign up for the vaccine. Read more
This week we saw what was in my opinion one of the most careless, irresponsible and anti-science statements made since the COVID-19 crisis began over a year ago — a statement that could lead to more infections, more hospitalizations and more Americans dead. Read more
ERIE, March 3 -- State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro worked with Elks Lodge #67 to bring $20,000 in state grant funding back to Erie. The grant was awarded through the PA Small Water and Sewer Grant Program for a sewer water line repair on Elks Lodge #67’s property. “This funding will help offset the cost of this project for the Elks and allow them to focus on contributing to their community. I’m thrilled to have secured this grant and know it will keep the water and sewer lines functioning without interruption for years to come,” Bizzarro said. The Elks Lodge trustees first decided to pursue the project when the water and sewer lines became exposed. Trustees wanted to explore repair options before pipes froze or burst. The project was deemed necessary by an assessment from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Elks secured bids before settling on a contractor to complete the project. Bizzarro encourages organizations in search of grant opportunities to contact his office at 814-835-2880. Read more
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