Latest news with #RyanBizzarro
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Presque Isle State Park will not receive $1.5 million in funding for sand replenishment
Presque Isle State Park will not receive its usual $1.5 million in federal funding for sand replenishment this year, raising concerns about infrastructure stability. The park typically receives $3 million annually for sand replenishment, with half coming from the federal government and half from the state. This year, the federal government has not provided its share, leaving the state to cover the remaining $1.5 million. 'The commonwealth is going to contribute its half of the 1.5 million into the project this year. Nourishment will continue, but it will be about half scale, though,' said Matt Greene, Presque Isle State Park Operations Manager. State Representative Ryan Bizzarro criticized the lack of federal funding, stating, 'You can't be pro-business or pro-growth without understanding how sand replenishment benefits the region.' DCED officials promote NAP program during visit to Erie Presque Isle State Park spreads 38,000 cubic yards of sand annually to maintain infrastructure integrity. This process mimics natural sand replenishment that would occur without man-made structures. Due to the funding shortfall, park officials plan to conduct a partial replenishment by relocating sand from tombolos, sand bars that connect to break walls, to areas most affected by erosion. Matt Greene explained that the sand might need to be moved further than usual this year to address erosion at critical locations like Beaches 5 through Mill Road Beach. Ryan Bizzarro expressed disappointment over the federal government's decision, highlighting the importance of sand replenishment for regional growth and infrastructure stability. Green-thumbed gardeners, plant enthusiasts gather at Community Seedling Swap and Sale Bizzarro also noted the political context, urging federal representatives to advocate for the restoration of funding. Greene emphasized the need for consistent sand replenishment to prevent operational impacts and maintain the peninsula's infrastructure. Without federal funding, Presque Isle State Park faces challenges in maintaining its infrastructure, prompting state officials to seek alternative solutions for sand replenishment, considering it's not fully budgeted for now by the Commonwealth. The situation underscores the importance of federal support for regional projects. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania lawmakers introduce bill to combat nursing home crisis
(WHTM) — Two Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced a bill to help combat the state's nursing home crisis. House Bill 1310 aims to help end the financial crisis that many of the state's nursing homes are facing by providing predictable funding. The bill, introduced by State Representatives Ryan Bizzarro (D) and Maureen Madden (D), would set predictable funding by using a formula to determine the minimum reimbursement rate. According to the memo, this would allow aging services facilities to set their budgets, making it easier to address staffing concerns. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now According to Rep. Bizzarro, over 30 nursing homes and long-term care facilities have closed in Pennsylvania since the Pandemic. Additionally, Pennsylvania has a lower reimbursement rate than its neighboring states. 'Pennsylvania ranks in the top five in the nation when it comes to our older population,' said Rep. Madden, who is the majority chair on the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee. 'This bill is desperately needed to replace legislation that was intended to be a one-year fix to escalating nursing home costs 20 years ago.' Bizzarro says the bill would improve care for seniors at all government-run, nonprofit, and for-profit nursing homes. He added that the bill would help operators properly address budgets and other issues. Butler Street Senior Living in Harrisburg closed in early 2024 due to 'shifting healthcare dynamics and industry challenges.' The closure impacted 40 of the facility's residents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill to give driver's license to homeless youth passes PA House
(WJET/WFXP)– A bill that would help Pennsylvania's homeless youth trying to get an ID or driver's license is headed to the Senate for consideration. House Bill 472 passed the PA House of Representatives this week with bipartisan support and would waive any fees that come with getting a driver's license and ID for people under 18 marked as homeless. Penelec completes system upgrades for Venango, Crawford Counties 'By waiving the license fee, we're removing financial barriers to allow youth identified as homeless to get a license or ID card and use that to enroll or transfer schools, make doctor's appointments, and enroll in food and housing assistance programs,' said State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro who sponsored the bill. 'These are vital services that can help keep these youth connected to their schools and communities while their lives stabilize.' Should the bill pass the Senate and be signed into law, it would also allow those children to use a shelter or school address as a temporary address for the license and let social workers, OCY caseworkers and teachers sign off on the paperwork. Conversely, minors looking to get those fees waived would also have to be enrolled in some kind of education program. The bill passed by a 170-33 vote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill would let homeless children in Pennsylvania get driver's license for free
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Homeless children old enough to legally drive may be able to get their licenses for free soon. House Bill 472, which passed the House with bipartisan support, would get rid of fees for homeless youth to get their driver's license or identification card. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now A shelter or school address can be temporarily used for the license, and adults that can sign off on paperwork would now include social workers, children and youth caseworkers, and teachers. The bill was sponsored by State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie). 'By waiving the license fee, we're removing financial barriers to allow youth identified as homeless to get a license or ID card and use that to enroll or transfer schools, make doctor's appointments, and enroll in food and housing assistance programs,' Bizzarro said. 'These are vital services that can help keep these youth connected to their schools and communities while their lives stabilize.' The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro named Advocate of the Year for anti-SLAPP law
A state representative from Erie County is recognized for his efforts to protect First Amendment freedoms in the Commonwealth. Third District Representative Ryan Bizzarro was given the first-ever Advocate of the Year award from the Pennsylvania Newsmedia Association. Pennsylvania bill to curtail SLAPP cases becomes law According to the association, bizzarro is recognized for his pivotal role in the enactment of the new Pennsylvania anti-SLAPP law, Act 72 of 2024. Bizzarro said this legislation prohibits frivolous lawsuits from taking place, where a judge could automatically slap them down. Erie man recognized for saving the life of injured Erie man 'This legislation was signed into law on November 13th, 2024 and I'm very proud of it. I think we're seeing right now that folks who had frivolous lawsuits before these judges they are getting slapped down and it's doing what it needs to do to protect Pennsylvanians and protect and preserve our First Amendment rights and free speech,' Bizzarro said. Attorney Michael Berry from Philadelphia was also given this award. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
