ERIE, OCT. 8 – Urgently needed money is on the way to local first responders thanks to a COVID response program that state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro championed in the House of Representatives. Over $234,000 will be distributed to 11 agencies that showed a need to help pay expenses since the COVID-19 pandemic started. “I heard from my local fire companies about everyday costs and new expenditures they were having trouble with, thanks to COVID-19,” explained Bizzarro. “Their usual means of fundraising were wiped out by the virus, but the emergency calls kept coming and so did the bills. Starting as a member of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and through its passage in the House, I pushed to make sure Act 26 came to be as quick as possible.” The money will be used by the companies for the cost of operations like utilities or fuel, and for items like personal protective equipment, disinfecting materials and more. Receiving funding in the 3 rd Legislative District is: Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department - $25,342. EmergyCare EMS - $15,048. Fairview Fire Department - $23,151. Fairview Fire Department EMS - $15,048. Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department - $24,384. Kearsarge Fire Department - $24,110. Lake Shore Fire Department - $23,014. Lake Shore Fire Department EMS - $10,453. McKean Hose Company - $23,151. West Lake Fire Department - $25,068. West Ridge Fire Department - $25,342. Read more
ERIE Oct. 7 - Pennsylvania will be a key battleground state in this election, and we all can agree: every citizen 18 years of age and older has the right to vote and do so safely this November, whether that be in-person or by mail. Regardless of who you're voting for, every vote will be counted. Every vote matters, and it is both our democratic and civic duty to shape our future by exercising our right to vote. Because of COVID-19, experts anticipate a large number of mail-in ballots, which take time to count. In fact, we saw this in our primary election. This means that instead of the projected winners we are all used to seeing reported on election night, it is very likely that the results of the general election will not be known in time for the 11 p.m. news – and there is no legal requirement they have to be known on Election Day. It’s vital to be patient and allow every vote to be verified and counted as we have throughout American history. Until those votes are finished being tallied, we must respect the integrity of our democratic process and wait patiently for the final certified results. 2020 will be an election like no other, with projected historic turnout and public health challenges. Every vote cast must be counted, and the democratic will of the majority must be respected. This is the cornerstone of American democracy. Attempts to erode this cornerstone of democracy are underway. Recently, Republican members of Read more
Our state lawmakers are reacting to the news of President Trump and the First Lady testing positive for Coronavirus. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 - - The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is encouraging eligible local governments to apply for their share of 2020 Federal Emergency Management Agency non-disaster mitigation grant program funds, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro announced today. The grants require a letter of interest be submitted to PEMA by 5 p.m. Oct. 15, 2020. Eligible organizations will be applying to PEMA as sub-applicants and PEMA will be the statewide applicant to FEMA. “These grants could help fund hazard mitigation projects and help reduce claims related to flooding. It’s important that local governments who qualify for these grants apply to make sure Erie communities get their fair share of federal funding back to the region,” Bizzarro explained. The FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant, which replaces FEMA’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation grant, is open to local governments with a FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan for pre-disaster mitigation activities. Applications must be submitted to PEMA by 5 p.m. Nov. 18, 2020. Full grant details are available here: https://www.pema.pa.gov/Grants/BRIC/Pages/default.aspx . Funding from FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance is available to eligible local governments participating in the National Flood Insurance Program. Eligible projects include project scoping, community flood mitigation projects, technical assistance, flood Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 28 -- State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro said he is thrilled to see an investment in Decontamination Specialty Equipment, helping it to grow family-sustaining job opportunities in the Erie region. The $100,000 investment comes from Ben Franklin Technology Partners, based in central and northern Pennsylvania and funded by the commonwealth budget. “When companies outside of the region recognize the rich resources that I see in our community, it’s vastly rewarding. I thank Ben Franklin for recognizing the great value Decontamination Specialty brings to the state and beyond,” Bizzarro said with gratitude. The investment will help fund Decontamination Specialty Equipment with its efforts in engineering, designing and sourcing decontamination equipment, including portable decontamination generators and integrated room decontamination systems. Pharmaceutical, research and health care markets rely on such equipment. “This investment will also help create and sustain jobs that pay quality wages that families can live comfortably on, exactly what our economy needs,” Bizzarro said. Read more
An Erie company has received a $100,000 investment helping it to grow family-sustaining job opportunities in the region, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) announced Monday. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 25 -- State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, said today he is honored to be recognized by the Pennsylvania Society of Oncologists and Hematologists as the 2020 Legislator of the Year. Read more
A statewide doctors’ association has named their 2020 Legislator of the Year.The Pennsylvania Association of Oncologists and Hematologists named State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro the recipient of their award. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 24 – State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro today introduced a resolution in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives designating Nov. 22, 2020 as Veterans Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day. Read more
State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro introduced a resolution in the PA House of Representatives designating November 22nd as Veterans Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 23 -- State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro affirmed his support of high school sports, and Pennsylvania school districts’ authority to make decisions regarding whether or not sports-related activities will resume, with a vote to override Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of H.B. 2787. The vote was 130-71, five votes short of the number needed to override the governor’s veto. “The Pennsylvania Department of Education came to the conclusion that schools are capable of making their own decisions regarding a return to sports. The governor’s interjection and failure to listen to his own administration’s recommendation leave me puzzled,” Bizzarro resolved. “While no doubt, the governor’s efforts have saved lives in the beginning of this pandemic, we now know more about COVID-19 and how to carry out mitigation efforts that help us have some sense of a new normal.” “Districts across the state are better equipped to determine how safety measures, including wearing masks and social distancing, can be done in their stadiums and gyms. We trust them with the care of Pennsylvania’s children every day they go to school; they should be trusted in their efforts to maintain some normalcy in what’s been a trying time for our communities,” Bizzarro explained. Read more
Today, State Representative Ryan Bizzarro is holding his eighth annual Senior Health Fair, and like many events in 2020, this year’s health expo is going to look a little different. Read more
State Representative Ryan Bizzarro held his eighth annual Senior Health Fair.This year those who participated in the Senior Health Expo did not have to leave their car Read more
A local butcher is receiving $350,000 in funding to continue serving the Erie area. Read more
State Representative Ryan Bizzarro will modify his 8th annual Senior Fair by hosting it as drive-thru event. Read more
ERIE, Sept. 17 – State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro said he is thrilled to announce Gordon’s Butcher Market is set to receive $350,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Food Financing Initiative. The FFFI is a statewide public-private financing program investing in new or expanding grocery and healthy food retail outlets in Pennsylvania, especially those serving low-income communities. Gordon’s Butcher & Market is one of 115 recipients selected statewide. “Gordon’s has been vital to several in our community by providing access to quality meat, produce, dairy and essential supplies. Even during this pandemic, they’ve continued to supply essential, high quality life-sustaining goods and services to all in our community safely,” said Bizzarro. Gordon’s announced the grant on the market’s Instagram account saying, “We cannot thank Ryan Bizzarro enough for his efforts on helping us attain this initiative and we promise the investment will be so amazing for the area and everyone in the neighborhood.” Gordon’s Butcher & Market will use the grant to expand and improve their footprint in a struggling underserved local market, expanding the store into a boutique market called “Gordon’s South Market” offering affordable high-quality meats, seafood, produce, and essential goods. “Having Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 17 – The state House today unanimously adopted state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro’s H.R. 978 recognizing the importance of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s ‘Light the Night Walk’ events. Bizzarro, a leukemia survivor, introduced H.R. 978, which designates September 2020 as “Light the Night Walk Month” in Pennsylvania, raising awareness of blood cancers and support of survivors and their families. “Light the Night walks help to bring light to the darkness of cancer, showing support of those living with cancer and bringing awareness to blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma,” Bizzarro said. “These events are a community display of care to those living with cancer – and their families – and a way to remember those who lost their battle.” The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society reports the events have generated more than $1.3 billion to critical research initiatives aimed at identifying treatments and potential cures for blood cancers. As a result of COVID-19, 2020 Light the Night events will be held virtually. Bizzarro said he encourages those interested in participating to visit www.lightthenight.org for information. Read more
Gordon's Butcher Market is the recipient of a $350,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI), state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro announced Thursday. Read more
ERIE, Sept. 15 – Four grants totaling $256,916 will help key Erie arts, cultural and natural science attractions offset revenue losses caused by the pandemic, state Reps. Ryan Bizzarro, Pat Harkins and Bob Merski, all D-Erie, announced today. The lawmakers said the grants approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority include $125,052 to the Erie Zoological Society, $63,179 to the Erie Philharmonic, $43,685 to the Erie Playhouse and $25,000 to the expERIEnce Children’s Museum. “Erie has a wealth of unique resources, from our community of talented artists, musicians and performers to our museums and zoo,” Bizzarro said. “Unfortunately, the organizations that showcase those resources – and enhance area tourism – have been deeply impacted by the pandemic. Securing this funding will help them offset losses and regain strength so they can resume their role in enriching our community and stimulating our economy.” Harkins said, “Like other businesses and organizations, many of the attractions that make our Erie community special – our philharmonic, playhouse, children’s museum and zoo – have felt the impact of empty concert halls and exhibit rooms. Our unique zoo – which has served our region for more than 90 years and welcomes more than 300,000 visitors annually – has lost more than $1.6 million in revenue. These grants will help bolster these beloved Read more
ERIE, Sept. 15 – State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, said he is modifying his eighth annual senior fair to make it safer for seniors and their caregivers to gain access to vital state information, programs and services. The eighth annual senior fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21 at the Waldameer Park parking lot off Peninsula Drive as a drive-thru event. “It’s important that we continue this annual tradition of connecting senior residents with the information they need on state programs available to them,” Bizzarro said. “COVID-19 added an additional challenge to the planning, but this drive-thru format will reduce the risk and still allow us to connect with our senior residents.” More information is available by calling Bizzarro’s office at 814-835-2880 or visiting the office at 1101 Peninsula Dr., Suite 213, in Peninsula Plaza. Read more
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