House Democratic Policy Committee hosts a hearing to discuss the 2020 Presidential Election Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 21 – Today, the House Democratic Policy Committee heard from an array of testifiers on how hate speech, lies and misinformation played a role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and how those who’ve taken an oath of office may have played a part. “As public servants, we are held to a higher standard. The people deserve better from their public officials than manipulative rally cries fed by blatant lies,” Bizzarro said. Professor Gerry Gendlin, who works in Edinboro University’s History and Politics Department; Shira Goodman of the Anti-Defamation League; Dr. Lauren Bairnsfather, Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh; and Frederick Lawrence, Georgetown Law, all provided perspective on the how hate speech fueled the Capitol attack and insight into the role that those who’ve taken the oath of office had in it. “One of the most poignant remarks of the day was, just because it isn’t illegal, doesn’t mean it isn’t wrong. We heard today about how many of the elected officials that fueled the flames of insurrection took things just to the line. Wrong is wrong and we must call on our colleagues to acknowledge the role they played in that deadly day,” Bizzarro said. Congresswoman Susan Wild recounted her experience fleeing violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Congressman Conor Lamb highlighted his efforts to investigate and define the movements that are perpetuating hate. “I Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 19 – The House Democratic Policy Committee today met virtually to hear from state and county officials on their 2020 election experience and to discuss recent false allegations of election fraud. “The consistent theme from testifiers was that election staff was professional, diligent and facilitated a secure election. Our county election workers need the legislature to address pre-canvassing issues and streamline operations between the in-person and mail-in systems. Fortunately, many of these efforts have been put forth by my colleagues and we look forward to advocating for these commonsense measures,” Bizzarro said. The committee heard from Jonathan Marks from the Department of State on election security; Andrew Szefi, Allegheny County solicitor; Al Schmidt, Philadelphia city commissioner; and Bob Harvie, Bucks County election commissioner on their experiences through the 2020 election and improvements that could be made to streamline future elections. Testimony was also submitted by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania that included recommendations for election reform that reinforced the need for pre-canvassing and additional time to process mail-in ballots. Dominion Voting Systems submitted their voting process for the record. “Ultimately, the people who carry out these elections are doing their job. They are Republicans, Democrats, independents; but more importantly, they are our neighbors, family Read more
HARRISBURG | Jan. 19 – In continued efforts to defend democracy and uncover how the Jan. 6 attacks on our nation’s Capitol will impact it moving forward, the House Democratic Policy Committee will discuss the intersection of the constitution, the ethics act and culpability of those who incite or participate in violence and disinformation campaigns. The meeting will be held virtually from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21 and can be viewed at www.pahouse.com/policy or via the Policy Committee’s Facebook account --@padempolicy. The media and public are invited to tune in. Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and members hope to gather information on the oath of office, the spread of false information in regards to our recent elections, and what criminal violations may have been committed by those attempting to discredit American democracy. Gerry Gendlin, constitutional law professor, will discuss the history of constitutional remedies to sedition. Shira Goodman, Anti-Defamation League, and Dr. Lauren Bairnsfather, Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, will discuss decoding hateful messaging and symbolism. U.S. Reps. Susan Wild and Conor Lamb will share their experience while under siege in the Capitol on Jan. 6. Frederick Lawrence is a hate crimes expert and will discuss the evolution of hate crimes and community and legal response. The meeting is one in a series addressing the false allegations of election fraud that Read more
ERIE, Jan. 15 -- State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, announced that more than $57 million has been dedicated by Gov. Tom Wolf for Erie County schools to help serve their students during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our schools are doing a great job to keep our kids engaged and learning despite all the obstacles they have to overcome,” Bizzarro said. “Making sure our kids are safe in school, or connected at home, comes at a cost and I’m glad this money will help cover some of that.” The federal relief money was appropriated by Congress in December and can be used to continue food programs, technology upgrades, training, cleaning supplies and mental health supports as well as other education services the schools need. More than $57 million is allocated to Erie County. In the Third Legislative District: $4,645,226 for the Millcreek Township School District. $1,220,716 for the General McLane School District. $1,067,196 for the Montessori Regional Charter Schoo. “Our schools continue to go above and beyond despite the circumstances,” Bizzarro said. “Schools also feed more than brains -- they are community centers for essential food programs too, and I’m glad to see this money go to support that and so much more.” School districts and charter schools must apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Education to receive their share of the money set aside for Erie County. The application process will be posted Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 15 – In light of the recent campaign to spread false information at the state and national levels about the security of elections, the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee will convene to defend democracy by discussing the 2020 elections process and how it may be protected from future fraudulent attacks. The meeting will be held virtually from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Jan. 19 and can be viewed at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee or via the Policy Committee’s Facebook account: @padempolicy. The media and public are invited to tune in. Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and Democratic Caucus members will hear from a bipartisan group of testifiers on their 2020 election experience and what legislative action they may need to protect future elections from misinformation campaigns and to continue to maintain election security. The meeting will be one in a series addressing the false allegations of election fraud that culminated in the seditious and deadly attack on our nation’s Capitol by insurgent groups. Read more
Citing the dangerous lies spread by some Republicans in the General Assembly regarding the 2020 election, House Democratic leaders today released the following statement demanding accountability and responsibility as the nation moves forward:“What we saw last week was nothing short of an attempted coup, instigated not only by the president of the United States but by Republican enablers at all levels of government. Words matter, and the falsehoods, misrepresentations and seditious rantings we’ve heard from some Republican members of the General Assembly can’t go unchallenged. Our nation can’t heal without consequences for the first invasion of the United States Capitol since the War of 1812. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 12 -- State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro said he was thrilled to convene an organizational meeting of the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee and appoint colleagues from across the state to help lead the committee. As the new chairman for the 2021-22 Legislative Session, Bizzarro said the committee will focus on COVID-19 recovery; economic and community development; education; infrastructure and jobs. “Our main priority is working Pennsylvanians. We know this pandemic has ravaged many small businesses and we must craft meaningful solutions that help get people back to work. The pandemic has highlighted many inequities in how funding is distributed, how children are educated and the opportunities we must foster for a thriving state,” Bizzarro explained. “The future of our commonwealth depends on crafting bipartisan solutions to these issues. Our colleagues have had the majority for quite some time and, despite their rhetoric, continue to favor profits over people. It’s time we come together for the benefit of all Pennsylvanians.” The chairman announced that state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler of Philadelphia will serve as chair of the newly created Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People. The subcommittee will focus on a fair and equitable criminal justice system; clean water and air; quality healthcare for all; housing as a human right; and economic policies that benefit the working class. State Read more
ERIE, Jan. 7- State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, announced that the Greater Erie Community Action Committee has been awarded $49,383 by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to be used by 10 senior community centers in Erie County. “These senior centers are hubs in the community, serving as a vital link between seniors and the help they need with food, health issues and so much more,” Bizzarro said. “Temporary closure of the centers due to the COVID-19 pandemic have made that mission challenging, and this money can help them now.” The funds can be used for COVID-19 mitigation, capital improvements and renovations, providing programs and services, purchasing technology that could be used to reach seniors in their homes, nutrition services, marketing and outreach or even building rent and utilities. In Erie County, the $49,383 will be split among: LECOM Center for Health and Aging. Mercy Hilltop Center. John F. Kennedy Center. Erie West Senior Center. North East Senior Center. Northwestern Senior Center. R. Benjamin Wiley Central City Activity Center. Union City Senior Center. Tri-Boro Senior Center. Corry Senior Center. “One of the highlights of my year is getting to talk with seniors, and hear about their issues and how I can help each year at my senior fairs,” Bizzarro said. “Even when I had to host them in a drive-thru format because of COVID-19, hundreds lined up to be connected with the help they Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 -- Getting Pennsylvanians back to work and helping local businesses recover from the throes of 2020 are at the top of state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro’s legislative priorities for the 2021-22 legislative session. The session marks the official start of Bizzarro’s fifth term serving the Pennsylvania House of Representatives; and his first as a member of the House Democratic Leadership team. “This year, Pennsylvanians need the General Assembly to come together like never before to craft meaningful solutions that get people back to work and rebuild our local economies. I am honored to take the oath of office to continue serving our community in Erie. Serving as Policy chairman will help amplify the voice of our community,” Bizzarro said. “Pennsylvania’s small and local businesses need our support to help them recover from this pandemic. I look forward to advocating to rebuild their businesses and getting people back to work safely. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues across the aisle to making that happen.” Bizzarro’s district includes McKean and Washington townships, Edinboro and McKean boroughs and part of Millcreek Township. He encourages residents to visit www.repbizzarro.com to learn more about how his staff may provide support. Residents can contact his primary office located at 1101 Peninsula Drive between 8:30 a.m. and Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 -- The PA House Democratic Caucus leadership team issued a joint statement today as state legislators formally began the 2021-22 Legislative Session: “With 202 members of the House of Representatives due to be sworn in, we celebrate the diversity of our great state and reflect on the shared values common to almost all Pennsylvanians. Yet we also mourn the tragic loss of Representative Mike Reese, whose sudden passing reminded all of us how precious life is. “The importance of the top priorities that House Democrats have consistently promoted -- good jobs with fair pay, quality schools, affordable housing, accessible health care, a safe environment and protection of democracy -- are being highlighted and tested in many ways during this devastating pandemic. “We see the beginning of this new legislative session as a chance to elevate people over partisanship and make gains toward these common goals in all of Pennsylvania’s unique communities – east and west, large and small, urban, suburban and rural. “Democrats in the House hope that our Republican partners will work with us to help people stay in jobs, get back to work and go to school safely; equip healthcare workers properly to battle this pandemic; ensure Pennsylvanians are not evicted from their homes in the middle of a public health crisis; and send targeted relief to the many businesses ravaged by this pandemic. Read more
ERIE, Dec. 23 -- State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, announced that $1.5 million from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program has been awarded today for continued upgrades to the UPMC Park clubhouse. “The investment in UPMC Park will make it the crown jewel in minor league baseball,” Bizzarro said. “The announcement earlier this month that the SeaWolves were staying was great news for the Erie region, and this money helps secures the team and the economic benefits that come with it.” Casey Wells, Erie Events executive director, said he is “thrilled that the money is coming for our clubhouse improvements.” Wells continued: “This is the final piece to get our facility up to Double-A standards, which will ensure professional baseball in Northwest Pennsylvania for many years to come.” “We are excited to continue bringing family fun and Major League Baseball’s stars of tomorrow to Erie,” said Erie SeaWolves President Greg Coleman. “We’d like to thank Governor Wolf, Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Representative Ryan Bizzarro and our local Erie delegation for their continued support of the SeaWolves and the Erie community.” The new grant money will be used for the demolition, renovation and expansion of the team clubhouse adjacent to UPMC Park. A 2018 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant invested $12 million to improve the visitor experience at the baseball stadium. Read more
ERIE, Dec. 17 – State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, announced today that grants awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will fund projects totaling $184,000 for preservation efforts in Erie. “This funding is critical for our local governments to maintain the necessary research and support good stewardship of Pennsylvania’s natural resources. I’m proud to advocate for funding that will help Erie officials do that by keeping waterways clean and highlighting the educational and economic impact our natural resources have on the region,” Bizzarro said. These Erie entities will receive funding for the following projects: Erie County Department of Planning $75,000 to support efforts focused on local data-driven decision making to develop meaningful strategies for stewardship of coastal resources. $9,000 to help local municipalities regarding the Bluff Recession Setback Act. Regional Science Consortium at Tom Ridge Center at Presque Isle $50,000 to support water sampling from 28 locations along the coastline of Lake Erie, Presque Isle State Park, Presque Isle Bay and drinking water facilities. Erie Bird Observatory $50,000 to research migratory birds’ habits in the Lake Erie Coastal Zone and to maximize understanding for study, education and tourism outreach. Coastal Zone grants are awarded to projects Read more
ERIE, Dec. 9 -- State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, announced that the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency awarded a total of $1.49 million to Erie County agencies to support improvements to adult probation, juvenile prosecution and probation, crime victim services and children’s advocacy centers. “These agencies provide crucial services,” Bizzarro said. “As someone who has worked in victims services, I understand the role of these agencies in protecting our children, helping victims cope, and reintegrating offenders into our communities.” PCCD voted to approve five grants to Erie County: $400,000 to Erie-based Pennsylvania Chapter of Children Advocacy Centers to provide 80 trainings, four networking meetings, and other development of the statewide network. $47,000 to Children’s Advocacy Center of Erie County to support services to children who are victims of abuse in this time of limited fundraising ability. $541,727 to Crime Victim Center of Erie County to improve oversight and management of the juvenile criminal system and improve victims’ services, including notification and compensation. $42,028 federal funding to support overtime costs due to civil disturbances. $463,030 for county adult probation and parole, which represent flat state funding for county-based services. “I am heartened to see the effects Read more
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
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