ERIE, Aug. 15 – Expanding on their joint effort to provide Erie schools with healthy, fresh food options, state Reps. Bob Merski and Pat Harkins, both D-Erie, announced today that schools throughout the county will be receiving $443,952 through the federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. “Expanding on the availability of fresh, healthy food for our students will provide the nourishment they need to prosper both physically and academically,” Merski said. “This program will also provide the opportunity to establish healthy eating habits early in these students’ lives .” Harkins said, “Providing students the option to ditch the sugary snacks for more wholesome fruits and vegetables is a vital aspect of healthy living. Every child deserves the chance to maximize their present and future health, and this funding helps make that a possibility.” The funding comes from the National School Lunch Program and is in addition to the universal free breakfast program that was championed by Merski and Harkins as a part of the 2023-24 state budget. Read more
“Our transportation infrastructure needs to keep pace with the latest safety developments,” Merski said. “Today’s funding is going to help further that goal by making sure our intersections are equipped with the most advanced technology needed to protect motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.” Read more
“I’m honored to sit on the committee, and I was inspired by testimony we heard today about proposed projects here at home and in surrounding regions, from interpreting the history of Three Forts Presque Isle, to bringing Wi-Fi connectivity to the Erie Zoo, to projects that highlight the rich historical culture that Grove City has to offer in our area," Merski said. Read more
National Night Out brings out the best in Erie Read more
ERIE, Aug. 2 – As the calendar turns to August and a new school year is on the horizon, state Rep. Bob Merski is kicking off his annual back-to-school supply drive today. Merski, D-Erie, said donations will help alleviate the financial strain that is often associated with the beginning of a new school year, while helping area students focus on adjusting to their new class schedules and academic expectations. “As a community, we have the opportunity to band together to help our area students begin their school year off right, while assisting families to avoid having to break the bank to ensure their children have the supplies they need to succeed,” Merski said. “The outpouring of support from past supply drives encapsulates the overwhelming generosity of our community, and I encourage those who are able to consider donating again this year.” Merski said the following new items are especially helpful: Markers, including highlighters, color markers, dry-erase markers and permanent markers. Pencils, erasers (pencil top and large pink erasers), colored pencils, pencil boxes and pens. Crayons, student scissors and sticky notes. Backpacks, three-ring binders, folders and lined paper. Tissues and hand sanitizer (large, classroom-size bottle). Personal care items such as deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes and hair ties. Socks. Items may be brought to Read more
Forge a legacy to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary Read more
Summer nights in the community Read more
Budget boosts education & social services funding Read more
Funding awarded for recovery hub; cancer screenings for firefighters; relieving medical debt, and more! Read more
Rep. Bob Merski's Summer 2023 Newsletter Read more
HARRISBURG, June 29 – Local and regional police departments would face fewer obstacles making critical fleet upgrades under legislation the House State Government Committee advanced unanimously on Wednesday, according to the bill’s maker, state Rep. Bob Merski. Merski, D-Erie, said H.B. 251 would require the state Department of General Services -- which sells used Pennsylvania State Police vehicles at public auctions -- to create a program for selling used police pursuit vehicles directly to local and regional police departments at a fixed price before auctioning them to the public. “Every dollar we can save government is a windfall for taxpayers, and that includes large-ticket expenditures like police fleet upgrades, which can pose major obstacles for stretched department budgets,” Merski said. “By giving local and regional police departments a means for purchasing used pursuit vehicles at a fixed price before they go to auction, my bill would help departments meet critical public safety demands while saving taxpayers – a win for everyone.” Merski said the program would allow police departments to submit a “wish-list” of desired state police vehicles to DGS so it can be notified if such a vehicle becomes available for sale. The bill now heads to the full House for consideration. A prior version of the bill was voted out of committee in March 2021. Read more
Harkins, Merski: Cancer screenings for firefighters will save lives Read more
Merski, Harkins: Erie County awarded $310,000 for recovery hub Read more
Harkins, Merski: Over $750K awarded for Erie housing projects Read more
Merski kicks off 2023 flag takeback program Read more
Second Chance Event this Thursday, Combatting Blight, – and more! Read more
HARRISBURG, June 14 – State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., hosted a news conference in the state Capitol Rotunda Wednesday and called on legislators to fund school facilities in Pennsylvania. “We have a unique opportunity to finally invest in fixing toxic schools across Pennsylvania,” said Fiedler. “It’s long past time we prioritize the health of our students, teachers and school staff. We have some of the oldest schools in the nation right here in Pennsylvania, and many of them have unsafe conditions that are simply unacceptable. I am committed to investing state dollars to remediate and repair our schools.” Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, chair of the House Education Committee, reminded everyone that school buildings are learning environments. “The quality of a school building has a direct impact on a child's ability to learn,” he said. “This year's House budget begins to address our toxic schools, but there's much more work to be done. We can't delay any longer -- our children deserve better.” State Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York County, commended the bipartisan support behind funding school facilities. “We are building bipartisan support for funding school facilities within this year’s budget,” she said. “The House sent a version of the budget to the Senate last week. Our proposal used Governor Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal as a starting point Read more
HARRISBURG, June 13 – The PA House today passed state Rep. Bob Merski’s bill that would make it easier for cities to fight blight. Merski, D-Erie, said his legislation ( H.B. 255 ) – which passed by a vote of 124-79 – would create a grant program to allow cities to establish code enforcement programs or strengthen existing ones. “Today’s House action brings us a step closer to addressing a major urban enemy,” Merski said. “Vacant, distressed properties have been a persistent problem for Erie and other communities, but many lack a dedicated budget for code enforcement, so these efforts often go by the wayside. At the same time, the cost of failing to address the problem costs cities millions in lost property tax revenue and unrealized investments. “My bill would help us break that cycle by giving local governments the resources they need to turn things around. Cities could use the funding to establish new code enforcement programs or hire more code enforcement officers to fortify existing programs, all with an emphasis on upgrading or removing abandoned and structurally unsafe structures and dwellings. “Cities would also have the ability to join forces in fighting blight by entering into cooperative agreements.” The bill would establish the Municipal Property Maintenance Code Assistance Fund, administered by the Read more
“Housing stability plays a huge role in quality of life,” Merski said. "Today’s funding will help us make inroads by expanding housing options for residents in need and helping them to become more self-sufficient." Read more
Merski said, “The Mercyhurst campus is filled with exquisite architecture, including Gothic Revival buildings dating to the school’s founding in 1926. Securing this funding will support the work needed to nominate this beautiful campus for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places." Read more
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