ERIE, June 9 – More than $1 million in grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will improve Erie County probation services, help offenders transition to productive lives in the community and bolster resources for residents battling substance abuse, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski announced today. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the county will use some of the funding to boost programs that cut recidivism rates by offering effective alternatives to jail time. “Court-ordered treatment programs can sometimes accomplish much more than incarceration by addressing addiction, mental illness and other root causes of crime,” Harkins said. “That gives offenders a better chance of returning to the community in productive roles rather than landing back in prison. It also saves taxpayers the costs of incarceration, reunites families and puts people back to work so they can contribute to the economy.” Merski said, “In addition to strengthening probation services and court-ordered treatment programs, some of the funding awarded today will bring new hope for residents battling substance abuse by allowing the county to implement family behavior therapy. These intensive programs include in-home intervention that can rebuild lives and restore family relationships, creating benefits that flow to the whole community.” The grants – which also provide Read more
HARRISBURG, June 9 – The House Commerce Committee today unanimously approved a bill that would pump new life back into Pennsylvania’s hard-hit fitness industry, state Rep. Bob Merski announced today. Merski, D-Erie, said his H.B. 1438 would establish a COVID-19 recovery grant program for gyms, spas, dance studios and other fitness-related businesses to speed relief to an industry that was brought to a standstill during the pandemic. “The pandemic created hardships for all local businesses, but for fitness-related businesses like gyms, spas and dance studios, the impact of prolonged shutdowns has been devastating,” Merski said. “These businesses play an important role in local communities, helping people stay healthy and forging social bonds while boosting the local economy. “During the pandemic, gym owners faithfully complied with mitigation orders, shuttering venues and drastically reducing capacities. Now, it’s time to help them get back on their feet and moving again. By restoring the vitality of the industry, we help our entire economy grow stronger.” Merski said the COVID-19 Community Fitness Business Grant Program would allow fitness-related businesses with less than $1 million in annual gross receipts to apply for grants of up to $20,000 to help cover losses. Businesses would need to provide proof of losses and a plan for how the money will be used. The bill now heads to the full House for consideration. Read more
State grants to support probation and parole programs Read more
ERIE, June 3 – State Rep. Bob Merski announced today that he is reopening his satellite office in Summit Township on Tuesday, June 8. Merski, D-Erie, said the office – located in the Summit Township Municipal Building at 1230 Townhall Road West – will resume regular walk-in service every Tuesday during the same 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. hours that were in effect before the pandemic. “We understand that Summit Township and Belle Valley residents have missed the convenience of being able to drop into the municipal building for help with state-related questions and problems,” Merski said. “With the change in COVID-19 mitigation orders, we are delighted to reopen this location. “In addition to helping with state-related questions and problems, my talented staff can assist residents in applying for a variety of programs, including the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. I encourage residents to drop in any Tuesday.” Merski said residents wishing to schedule an appointment for a day other than Tuesday should call 814-455-6319. Read more
ERIE, June 2 – State grants totaling $50,000 from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will fund projects to preserve and promote Erie’s unique history, state Reps. Bob Merski and Pat Harkins announced today. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the commission awarded two separate grants under the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program, including $25,000 each to the city of Erie and Presque Isle Light Station. “Erie’s history is filled with fascinating stories and places, but preserving them takes planning and preparation,” Merski said. “The funding awarded today is going to help ensure that historic sites like the Presque Isle Lighthouse and other uniquely Erie landmarks are around for future generations.” Harkins said, “This funding is truly an educational investment, because it will help us preserve the kind of connections to our past that future generations can touch and see and visit. Those insights into our roots are invaluable.” The lawmakers said the funding will go to the following projects: City of Erie – $25,000 to support newly formed historic preservation program The funding will allow the city to update its historic resource ordinance, create a permanent Historic Review Commission, pursue Certified Local Government designation, and hire a preservation planner to help develop a three-year plan for Read more
Up to $1 million available for projects to expand high speed access Read more
Required commission and study still not done after five years Read more
STATE COLLEGE, May 27 – State Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, issued the following statement on today’s We The People PA event with Pennsylvania Congresswoman Madeleine Dean at the Montgomery County Courthouse: “I fully support Congresswoman Dean and the We The People PA organization regarding the American Rescue Plan. This plan will benefit all Pennsylvanians as we continue to recover from the economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus has worked together to create the Pennsylvania Rescue Plan . Using the $7.3 billion earmarked for Pennsylvania, our plan makes wise investments in public health infrastructure and preparedness, support for families, workforce development, investments in job creation, technology, and much more. Some of the highlights of the Pennsylvania Rescue plan include $500 million to create jobs and spur economic growth across the state, $250 million to promote affordable housing, $10 million in funds for those whose unemployment checks were delayed, and $75 million to invest in healthcare research and education. “Our job as legislators is to help Pennsylvanians come out of this pandemic stronger, and it’s vital we support these investments as they meet the needs of all residents – families, workers, small businesses and farmers.” Read more
Legislation would help businesses find employees Read more
Bills would leave governor with just one appointment, decrease pay 40 percent Read more
Legislation heads to full House for consideration Read more
Says, ‘Give families a break’ as gas prices skyrocket ahead of summer travel season Read more
ERIE, May 12 – Erie students will benefit from hands-on lessons in urban agriculture, thanks to a $7,478 grant that will support the Erie City School District’s urban greenhouse and garden project, state Reps. Bob Merski and Pat Harkins, both D-Erie, announced today. The lawmakers said the funding under the state Department of Agriculture’s Ag and Youth Program – the second set of urban agricultural grants to Erie this month – will teach highly practical lessons in an outdoor classroom setting. “The past year has shown us the importance of equipping the next generation with skills that can empower residents in times of hardship and help our community be better prepared during emergencies and food shortages,” Merski said. “Securing this funding is going to enrich the Erie curriculum by including lessons in urban agriculture that teach these life-sustaining skills.” Harkins said, “The funding awarded today is going to support the Erie City School District’s Urban Greenhouse and Garden Project, which gives kids hands-on experience in growing food. Lessons like that, which yield real-life results, are the most lasting and powerful ones we can provide because they teach kids self-sufficiency. They also plant a seed of interest that will lead some students into agriculture as a career.” The 2021-22 Ag and Youth Program funded 57 projects, including 14 for Read more
ERIE, May 12 – Pennsylvania’s working families have been waiting years for an increase in the state’s minimum wage that never comes, even as they watch workers in neighboring states benefit from increased purchasing power, state Reps. Bob Merski and Pat Harkins told listeners at a virtual press event today with the Department of Labor and Industry. Speaking at the event with Acting Labor and Industry Secretary Jennifer Berrier and an Erie child and home care worker, the lawmakers, both D-Erie, urged support of the administration’s plan to raise the state’s minimum wage of $7.25 per hour to $12 per hour, with a pathway to $15. “If the past year showed us anything, it’s that we could not have made it without the efforts of store clerks, delivery people, childcare workers and scores of other frontline workers,” Harkins said. “We’ve praised them and told them how much we value them, but at the end of the day, we haven’t done very much to put more money in their pockets or make it any easier for them to pay their bills. “Our minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 per hour since 2009, even as all the states surrounding us have raised theirs. When I was Democratic chairman of the House Labor and Industry Committee, we pushed hard to find common ground with Republicans in the House and Senate to raise the minimum wage. We made progress in the Senate, but the House Read more
STATE COLLEGE, May 11 – The workers who have been hit hardest by the pandemic need support. The PA House Democratic leadership team is hosting a rally Wednesday to make the case for workers’ rights to a fair wage, hazard pay and paid family and sick leave and how the PA Rescue plan would do just that. The rally will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 12 at The Borough Building, 243 S. Allen St., State College . The media is encouraged to attend. The PA Rescue Plan includes more than $1.5 billion for job training, hazard pay, wage boosts for direct-care workers and job creation efforts to kickstart the economy in communities across the state. The PRP aims to ensure federal American Rescue Plan funding is invested for immediate impact and long-term success. Additional information about the plan is available at www.pahouse.com/parescueplan . Read more
ERIE, May 7 – State grants totaling nearly $15,000 will enhance urban agriculture in Erie by funding materials to start a new urban farm and supplying equipment for two existing businesses, state Rep. Pat Harkins announced today. Harkins, D-Erie, said the funding from the state Department of Agriculture includes $10,000 to the SSJ Neighborhood Network, which will use the funds for a project to convert two vacant parcels into a new urban farm; $2,500 to Green Thumb Organics for a water line, and $2,497 to Wild Field Urban Farm for refrigeration. “As urban farming takes root in Erie, small farms are creating jobs, stimulating the economy, bringing together neighbors, and expanding access to fresh foods,” Harkins said. “Securing this funding is especially exciting because it is going to allow SSJ Neighborhood Network to complete the groundwork on its project to create a new urban farm. “The funding will also allow two area businesses to grow by helping fund the equipment they need for production and storage operations. It’s terrific to see urban agriculture continue to flourish in the district.” The grants are part of a package of nearly $500,000 in funding to 42 projects statewide. The Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program provides reimbursement grants that improve urban agriculture infrastructure in Pennsylvania by investing in the system, filling gaps, encouraging Read more
Bill proposes making two permits per year available Read more
EBENSBURG, April 28 – After hearing from numerous constituents during the last election about confusing and excessive ballot applications being mailed to their homes, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, has taken action and backed a bill that would ban the practice. “Just like all my neighbors, my mailbox was flooded by these ballot applications from third parties,” Burns said. “It was excessive, unnecessary and frustrating. This legislation would put a stop to that and hold these groups accountable.” In 2020, a record number of Pennsylvanians cast their votes by mail, but many eligible voters across the state were frustrated and confused by mail-in ballot applications sent to them by third-party organizations. Most third-party organizations do not ensure the accuracy of their mail-in ballot applications, leading to outdated or inaccurate prefilled information being sent to voters. House Bill 1270 , which Burns is co-sponsoring, would prohibit third-party organizations from sending ballot applications to eligible voters. Read more
STATE COLLEGE, April 28 – State Rep. Scott Conklin is supporting a bill designed to reform the redistricting efforts in both state legislative and congressional districts. Conklin, D-Centre, said H.B. 22 would provide enhanced transparency, allow more input from Pennsylvanians, and create a user-friendly website with data, proposed maps, public comments and related information. “Our residents are beyond tired of partisan politics, especially in the redistricting process, and I am happy to join Fair District PA’s efforts to move this legislation forward,” said Conklin. “The redistricting process should be fair and open, with more participation and accountability.” The legislation would also ban gerrymandering, place limits on splitting counties beyond what’s required by population, end the division of voting precincts, and ensure protection of racial and language minorities against discrimination in the mapping process. House Bill 22 is under consideration in the House State Government Committee. Read more
Urges schools, local governments and nonprofits to apply Read more
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