ERIE, Sept. 1 – State Reps. Bob Merski and Pat Harkins announced today that Erie public schools will share $2 million in federal funding to implement the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model – a comprehensive framework to improve student learning and health. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the funding will be awarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Erie’s public schools through 2028 to create a template that other schools throughout the state can adopt. “As an educator, I know that the children who enter our doors every day are a product of their families and their communities,” Merski said. “This federal funding to the state Department of Health and Erie’s public schools will help us to integrate and collaborate to improve that mind-body connection. “We know that a child who is physically healthy and emotionally and socially well-adjusted performs better in school. Using a ‘whole child’ approach has been shown to increase student achievement and lower maladaptive behaviors such as truancy, tardiness and discipline issues.” Harkins said, “Investments in student health like the universal free school breakfast program are critical, but proper nutrition is only part of the equation. With this new funding and guidance from the Department of Read more
ERIE, Aug. 29 – Three grants totaling $150,000 will fund the purchase of equipment to construct and maintain more than 300 miles of snowmobile trails in Erie and surrounding counties, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski announced today. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the funding from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources include: $115,000 to Tri-County Snowblazers Inc. for equipment to maintain and construct approximately 90 miles of snowmobile trails in Erie, Warren and Crawford counties. $24,000 to Wales Sno-Drifters Inc. for equipment to maintain and construct approximately 50 miles of snowmobile trails in Erie County. $11,000 to McKean Area Snowmobile Club Inc. for equipment to maintain and construct approximately 162 miles of snowmobile trails in Erie, Crawford and Warren counties. “An extended season for winter sports like snowmobiling is one of our area’s unique attractions. But maintaining safe trails is costly,” Merski said. “The new funding will help ensure that our area organizations have the equipment they need to keep the trails groomed and maintained on a regular basis.” Harkins said, “Trail quality and safety play a huge part in what kind of experience folks have and whether they want to return for repeat adventures. Our region is fortunate to have clubs whose members are Read more
ERIE, Aug. 24 – New traffic safety enhancements are coming to Erie thanks to $500,000 in new state funding, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski announced today. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the grant – awarded by the state Department of Transportation under the Multimodal Transportation Fund – will support State Street signal upgrades as well as pedestrian facility improvements. “With traffic increasing in this area, it’s more important than ever to update the transportation safety infrastructure to protect pedestrians, motorists and cyclists,” Harkins said. “The signals on State Street between Second and Fifth streets are 60 years old, and modernizing the equipment is critical. Securing this new funding will allow the city to make those upgrades and also improve pedestrian facilities.” Merski said, “Having antiquated signals in some of the busier areas of the city opens the door to delays, accidents and frustration – particularly as these areas are seeing increased traffic. Updating these intersections with advanced technology is going to go a long way toward keeping folks safer and making commutes smoother.” The lawmakers noted that in addition to the funding to the city of Erie, the Borough of Edinboro was awarded $70,000 to repair sidewalk sections throughout the borough. The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides funding to municipalities, Read more
ERIE, Aug. 11 – Safer traffic flow is coming to multiple intersections in the city of Erie and Wesleyville Borough, thanks to more than $3.9 million in new funding, state Reps. Bob Merski and Pat Harkins announced today. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said the funding includes: $1,627,369 for updated signal equipment along West 18th St. in the city of Erie. $1,332,319 for updated signal equipment along State Street in the city of Erie. $1,023,280 for updated signal equipment at three intersections along Buffalo Road (Route 20) and Fremont Street and Station Road (Route 430) in Wesleyville Borough. “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.” “Updating the electronic equipment that controls our busy city intersections is critical for safety and also for keeping traffic moving efficiently,” Harkins said. “Securing this new funding means motorists are going to see smoother traffic and everyone is going to stay safer on our streets.” The funding is part of a statewide grant package awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Green Light-Go program. Green Light-Go grants are 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
“From the time of its first meeting in September 1873, when members of 25 local Granges united in their mission to strengthen rural communities, the Grange has evolved from a small farmer's fraternity into a multifaceted organization with thousands of members, all united by the same spirit of fellowship and a desire to see their communities thrive,” Conklin said. Read more
“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. Read more
"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. “My bill would help us break that cycle by giving local governments the resources they need to turn things around." Read more
“Emerging from the ashes of the Civil War, the Grange stood as a beacon of hope and solidarity for our rural communities,” said Conklin, who is a sixth-degree Grange member. “One hundred and fifty years later, its influence continues to echo through its advocacy for rural issues, educational advancement, and commitment to community service." 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
STATE COLLEGE, June 9 – New funding of $210,000 from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will help low-income homeowners in Centre County stay safer at home and manage energy costs and provide education and mitigation services for landlords and tenants, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today. Conklin, D-Centre, said the funding – awarded by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency – includes home repair assistance, energy counseling and other programs to help homeowners, prospective homeowners and landlords and tenants. “For low-income residents, housing stability includes having the resources to maintain safe premises and afford heating and other home-related costs. Securing this funding will help ensure residents have the resources they need to make critical safety repairs, an understanding of how to lower their energy bills, and the counseling and services that can help them on the path to homeownership.” Conklin said the funding – which comes from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund – includes: $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Centre County, Inc. for a Home Repairs program that will help residents in need make critical repairs that can affect health and safety. $55,000 to the HOME Foundation’s Energy Case Management Program, which will help low- to moderate-income households reduce their energy cost Read more
Funding from the Keystone Historic Preservation grant program includes $25,000 apiece to Mercyhurst University and the city of Erie and $17,250 to the Presque Isle Light Station organization for lighthouse repairs. Read more
“This proposed legislation draws from painful experiences,” Conklin said. “Integrating these heat-detection devices into our police vehicles would prevent future tragedies, providing a safer environment for our K-9 officers.” Read more
ERIE, June 6 – Concerned by the sharp decline in early childhood education teachers, state Rep. Pat Harkins joined fellow lawmakers at the state Capitol today to call for greater investments in early childhood education. Harkins, who is co-chair of the Early Childhood Education Caucus, told those gathered for the “workforce behind the workforce” rally that a mass exodus from the field threatens to affect the quality of critical pre-K programs throughout the state. “The statistics are grim – they show that early education teachers on average make just $12.43 per hour and that 44% have had to use a payday loan or borrow from friends or family to cover basic expenses,” Harkins said. “Not surprisingly, half of all early ed teachers surveyed said they are thinking of leaving the field within the next five years. “Earlier this year, the governor spoke about the importance of early education and the need to invest in programs like Pre-K Counts, and a poll showed that nearly all Pennsylvanians agree that early education is important. “We need to make these investments a priority now and ensure we can pay teachers a living wage. If we can’t attract and retain early childhood educators for quality programs that give kids the right start, we’re going to feel the ripple effects all throughout our workforce and economy.” Read more
HARRISBURG, June 6 – County pension annuitants struggling to make ends meet are a step closer to more frequent cost-of-living adjustments after the PA House today passed legislation introduced by state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski. The lawmakers, both D-Erie, said they introduced H.B. 298 – which would amend the county pension law to give boards more flexibility in setting COLAs – to help retirees feeling the effects of inflation. “Under our county pension law, when retirement boards provide a cost-of-living increase, it must be in accordance with the full consumer price index at the time of review,” Harkins said. “Although the law is well-intentioned, its rigid requirement means that our county pension boards often can’t afford to provide any adjustments at all because the index is simply too high. “Our bill would amend the law to allow boards to grant a COLA of any percentage up to, but not more than, the consumer price index. The change would help counties and benefit county retirees who under the current all-or-nothing system might not receive a COLA for several years. “We need to reward these seniors who helped build our community and keep them out of poverty. Ensuring that they receive timely cost-of-living adjustments would bring them greater retirement security and help them maintain the quality of life they deserve.” Merski said, Read more
“In Pennsylvania, 1 in 7 children face hunger, which means that they show up to class each day without the fuel they need to concentrate, retain information and learn,” Merski said. “At the same time, a large amount of food goes to waste every day in our schools. In a state with one of the nation’s strongest agricultural industries – and far too much food waste – we can turn this situation around." Read more
“While it may be noble and practical for the JHA to seek tenant input as it pursues funding to upgrade its housing, it’s equally important to let other Cambria County communities – people in Richland, Westmont, Upper Yoder, Ebensburg and elsewhere – know if any ‘mixed-income redevelopment’ of public housing could potentially impact them," Burns said. Read more
“Securing this new funding is going to support reclamation work that will expand access to recreational trails, provide access for maintenance of the Inclined Plane and build on other projects underway to expand hillside recreation and tourism for the area," Burns said. Read more
“My bill would allow communities to join forces in fighting blight and would bolster those efforts by providing the additional resources needed to enforce code violations.” Read more
"By providing first responders with access to up-to-date, detailed building layouts, we would empower them to better navigate the chaos of these crises and speed lifesaving intervention," Conklin said. Read more
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