Students, faculty, alumni detail UArts closure

(Jun 17, 2024)

“Faculty and staff detailed the uncertainty, heartbreak and sorrow caused by this closure as well as its chaotic announcement,” said House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County. “The lack of accountability by school leadership is astounding, and – quite frankly – so disturbing the House is examining taking action to pass a law so this level of distress caused by this closure never happens again.” Read more

 

Bizzarro: Gannon receives $100,000 to create digital literacy program

(Jun 14, 2024)

Gannon University is receiving a $100,000 grant from the state to help fund its initiative to integrate Virtual Reality (VR) into its manufacturing education courses, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro announced Friday. Read more

 

Bizzarro’s legislation to connect homeless youth with driver’s licenses advances in House

(Jun 10, 2024)

Legislation that will make it easier for youth experiencing homelessness to obtain a driver’s license is gaining traction in Harrisburg, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie), the bill’s sponsor, said Monday. Read more

 

Vouchers for the purchase of fruit, vegetables through Senior Farms' Market

(May 23, 2024)

GECAC Area Agency on Aging will be distributing vouchers. Read more

 

Testifiers detail need to develop diversity in education workforce

(May 23, 2024)

“Teachers enable a pathway to a greater future for all our young people,” said hearing host state Rep. Regina Young, who represents portions of Philadelphia. “It was great to hear from the panelists supporting the need for more Black teachers and supporting people of color to become teachers, but it was inspiring to see so many young people in the room who could become the teachers for the next generation. Speaking from my own experience, it’s necessary for students to make that connection with the teachers and mentors who see more in you than you see in yourself.” Read more

 

Abney, Policy Committee review alarming trend limiting voter access

(May 22, 2024)

“It’s disheartening to hear the real damage done by election deniers,” said House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, who originally supported legislation for same-day registration dating back to 2014. “Voting rights advocates noted most of their time is spent combatting misinformation, which has led to people not participating in the political process and avoiding the news. The big losers are not Republican or Democratic, but we have a civic knowledge issue that threatens democracy as a whole.” Read more

 

Bizzarro: Erie environmental education efforts get $35,000 boost

(May 21, 2024)

ERIE, May 21 – State grant money is on the way to two Erie organizations to help them boost the knowledge of local students about the environment around them. Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) today announced approximately $35,000 for Asbury Woods and the Regional Science Consortium (RSC) at Presque Isle Center. “Ensuring Erie’s natural resources continue for generations to come means making sure the next generation knows how to protect and preserve what we have,” said Rep. Bizzarro. “These programs put science in front of kids in a fun way, and help them understand the role they play in our environment.” The grants awarded include: $4,954 to the Asbury Woods Outreach to Erie County Community Schools, to host after-school environmental education programming for Erie County Community Schools. $29,992 to the Regional Science Consortium (RSC) at Presque Isle Center, for their Ship to Shore program, monitoring water quality in Lake Erie. Students get to investigate urban watershed concepts and collect water, plankton, and other samples while sailing aboard the historic ship Lettie G. Howard. Students will bring samples back to RSC labs and identify actions to help address water quality issues. “The success of our region relies heavily on things like the health of Lake Erie and a quality education for our kids,” Bizzarro said. “This money helps with both, and sets us up for a better future.” These two Read more

 

Bizzarro’s unclaimed property, first-time homebuyers bills advanced by committees

(May 21, 2024)

A pair of bills, including one that would allow the creation of first-time homebuyers savings accounts and another to modernize the recovery of unclaimed property from the state Treasury, advanced out of their respective committees with unanimous support for consideration by the full House, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro announced Tuesday. Read more

 

Donahue highlights fiscal challenges for independent pharmacies

(May 15, 2024)

“The way the system currently functions, pharmacy benefits managers are supposed to negotiate a reasonable price for prescriptions through Medicaid, but we heard directly from pharmacy owners today that those savings are not being passed on to consumers,” said state Rep. Kyle T. Donahue, who hosted the hearing and represents portions of Lackawanna County. “In this case, the PBMs – a third-party – is not only pocketing taxpayer dollars but they are also driving the escalation of drug prices.” Read more

 

House, Senate Dems Discuss Access to Health Care

(May 14, 2024)

“As a nurse, I saw too many patients arrive at our hospital with advanced disease because they didn’t have access to preventable care earlier. We have to fix this because we deserve better here in the Commonwealth,” Kosierowski added. “We have many challenges to work through, but I’m confident we can find solutions and reduce healthcare deserts in Pennsylvania.” Read more

 

Committee examines patient outcomes, nursing home care

(May 13, 2024)

“My heart breaks for an aging and vulnerable population caught in a current health care crisis,” said Rep. Kyle Mullins, who hosted the hearing and represents portions of Lackawanna County. “Expert testimony detailed the many challenges, and they explained why they hope positive action at the state and federal levels can be made to help our residents.” Read more

 

Committee examines Keystone Saves Retirement Accounts

(May 08, 2024)

“The reality is, roughly 2 million Pennsylvania workers don’t currently have access to a retirement savings plan through their place of employment,” said Mullins, who represents portions of Lackawanna County. “If we act now, this plan will not cost taxpayers a single dollar. But if we don’t address the retirement security crisis, it will cost the state nearly $20 billion in social safety net programs by 2040. This legislation not only provides help for retiring workers, but it also takes a major burden off our small business owners.” Read more

 

Bizzarro announces more than $450K headed to local schools

(Apr 26, 2024)

“One of the foundations of a great education is a safe learning environment, so I’m pleased to see that our high-performing local schools will receive the funding they need to keep our schools and children safe,” Bizzarro said. “The funds approved today also include money that has been earmarked to address mental health and behavioral health needs, providing the dollars needed to develop the resources and hire the counselors that our students need.” Read more

 

Erie lawmakers announce nearly $70K investment for Gannon University

(Apr 10, 2024)

“This state grant is aimed at continuing innovation by pairing the best in our state’s education system with the best in PA manufacturing,” said Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents Millcreek and Fairview townships. “The return on today’s investment will be seen not only in increasing collaboration throughout the state but also in advancing the work needed in various projects concerning autonomous machining, clean energy and medical devices.” Read more

 

McNeill, Policy Committee explore laws to protect consumers, flag water leaks

(Apr 02, 2024)

“Pennsylvania’s housing stock is among the oldest in the nation, and while residents can responsibly plan for expected repairs, being blindsided by an unseen water leak and unusually high water bill can financial cripple a family and household,” said Rep. McNeill, who represents portions of the city of Bethlehem, Hanover Township, Whitehall Township, Catasauqua, Coplay and Fountain Hill. “Residents are often unaware of an issue until a bill – sometimes only mailed quarterly – arrives with hundreds or even thousands more owed than expected. When a water bill increases, so does the sewer bill, which creates an even larger financial issue.” Read more

 

Bizzarro, Merski, Harkins tout $835,000 grant for violence intervention and prevention efforts

(Mar 27, 2024)

Erie County has been awarded grant funding to help bolster public safety and violence prevention efforts, state Reps. Ryan Bizzarro, Bob Merski and Pat Harkins, all D-Erie, announced Wednesday. Read more

 

Bizzarro announces $200K state grant for Millcreek Twp.

(Mar 13, 2024)

“Law enforcement continues to adapt to the needs of our community,” said Rep. Bizzarro, who represents Millcreek and Fairview townships. “Knowing how to better communicate and work with people experiencing a mental health emergency or in crisis helps our officers and it helps ensure the safety of our neighbors and community residents.” Read more

 

House Majority Policy Committee tours Google, talks artificial intelligence and internet safety

(Mar 13, 2024)

Building off recent conversations on artificial intelligence, the House Majority Policy Committee toured Google’s Pittsburgh offices and participated in a roundtable Wednesday morning to learn more about this new technology and discuss efforts to maintain child internet safety. Read more

 

Testifiers detail need to address blight, increase affordable housing in PA

(Mar 11, 2024)

Community leaders highlighted the need to build more affordable housing in in Allegheny County and across Pennsylvania but pointed to blighted homes and deserted buildings as a major barrier during a House Majority Policy hearing Monday morning. Read more

 

Testifiers, lawmakers maintain push for minimum wage increase

(Mar 06, 2024)

The House Majority Policy Committee gathered testimony from minimum wage earners and public policy experts during a hearing Wednesday as the push to finally increase the wage in Pennsylvania continues. Read more

 

Students, faculty, alumni detail UArts closure
Jun 17, 2024

Bizzarro: Gannon receives $100,000 to create digital literacy program
Jun 14, 2024

Bizzarro’s legislation to connect homeless youth with driver’s licenses advances in House
Jun 10, 2024

Vouchers for the purchase of fruit, vegetables through Senior Farms' Market
May 23, 2024

Testifiers detail need to develop diversity in education workforce
May 23, 2024

Abney, Policy Committee review alarming trend limiting voter access
May 22, 2024

Bizzarro: Erie environmental education efforts get $35,000 boost
May 21, 2024

Bizzarro’s unclaimed property, first-time homebuyers bills advanced by committees
May 21, 2024

Donahue highlights fiscal challenges for independent pharmacies
May 15, 2024

House, Senate Dems Discuss Access to Health Care
May 14, 2024

Committee examines patient outcomes, nursing home care
May 13, 2024

Committee examines Keystone Saves Retirement Accounts
May 08, 2024

Bizzarro announces more than $450K headed to local schools
Apr 26, 2024

Erie lawmakers announce nearly $70K investment for Gannon University
Apr 10, 2024

McNeill, Policy Committee explore laws to protect consumers, flag water leaks
Apr 02, 2024

Bizzarro, Merski, Harkins tout $835,000 grant for violence intervention and prevention efforts
Mar 27, 2024

Bizzarro announces $200K state grant for Millcreek Twp.
Mar 13, 2024

House Majority Policy Committee tours Google, talks artificial intelligence and internet safety
Mar 13, 2024

Testifiers detail need to address blight, increase affordable housing in PA
Mar 11, 2024

Testifiers, lawmakers maintain push for minimum wage increase
Mar 06, 2024