HARRISBURG, March 24 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead has introduced legislation that would effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Pennsylvania to zero. Kinkead, D-Allegheny, said her bill, which would be known as the Energy Transition Recovery Act , would direct funds from the sale of carbon allowances sold at auction through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to methods designed to curb those emissions by 2050. Pennsylvania is expected to become a member of RGGI by 2022. “Earlier this week, the governor announced the Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy, part of the GreenGov initiative, which I fully support, and my legislation fits in with that effort by making a significant impact in lowering carbon dioxide emissions,” said Kinkead. “My colleagues and I took an oath to protect and uphold the state Constitution, which includes the right to clean air and water. It’s imperative we move forward and do all we can to protect our future children and grandchildren, and we can do so right now.” Kinkead’s legislation is currently under consideration in the House Environmental Energy and Resources Committee. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 22 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, issued the following statement on Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement on the Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy, part of the GreenGov initiative: “I fully support and applaud the Wolf administration’s efforts, which will positively impact our state and move us further away from a fossil fuel-based economy. “Nearly two years ago, an executive order was introduced that paved the way for our state to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The fact that we have not moved closer to joining RGGI is beyond frustrating, especially when you consider that in July of last year, our nation tied with July 2016 as the second hottest month on record. Our polar caps are continuing to melt, sea levels and temperatures rise, and forest areas in the Amazon and across our world continue to burn. “It’s imperative we do more to combat climate change, and today’s announcement will make a significant impact. PULSE will launch the largest solar energy commitment by any government entity in our country. It will supply about half the energy used by state government, creating hundreds of jobs and making a huge impact in lowering carbon dioxide emissions. This effort closely aligns with my bill, H.B. 989 , to be known as the Energy Transition Recovery Act, which would direct funds from the sale of carbon allowances sold at Read more
Susan’s and Emily’s Law would allow municipalities to create protected bicycle lanes Read more
HARRISBURG, March 15 – Financial assistance is now available to help Allegheny County residents struggling to pay rent or utilities during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a program that is partially funded by legislation members of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation helped to pass. The Allegheny County Emergency Rental Assistance program has a total of $79.9 million to distribute to eligible county residents. Of that funding, $43 million came from Act 1 of 2021, which Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law last month. Eligibility requirements for the program include: having at least one person who qualifies for unemployment, has lost income or suffered financially due to COVID-19. being at risk of experiencing homelessness. having a total income below 80% of the Area Median Income for Allegheny County. ACDD Chairman state Rep. Austin Davis, as well as state Reps. Jessica Benham, Dan Deasy, Tony DeLuca, Dan Frankel, Ed Gainey, Sara Innamorato, Emily Kinkead, Anita Kulik, Summer Lee, Brandon Markosek, Robert Matzie, Dan Miller, Nick Pisciottano and Jake Wheatley, issued the following statement: “People living in Allegheny County have been struggling for over a year during this pandemic. This program has been a long time coming and helps provide direct relief to those who’ve been scrambling to pay their rent and bills during this Read more
AMBRIDGE, March 10 – As more community organizations begin plans to reopen, a $12,000 state grant to Beth Samuel Jewish Center in Ambridge will help Beaver County’s oldest operating synagogue meet security needs, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the grant, awarded under the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program to protect potential hate-crime targets, will ensure that when the congregation – which suspended activities during the pandemic – decides to welcome back families, it will be able to provide the safest possible environment. "We need to ensure that the folks returning are safe from security risks," Matzie said. “The funding will help ensure those protections are in place.” In addition to the funding to Beth Samuel, Matzie said 29 organizations in Allegheny County were awarded grants totaling approximately $1.53 million. He said organizations may use the funding for a broad range of resources, including safety and security planning and training, threat assessments, security upgrades, and the purchase of metal detectors, electronic locksets, surveillance equipment and other technology. The grants are part of a larger package of more than $5 million awarded under the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program , which provides funding to nonprofit organizations serving people or groups the FBI has identified as Read more
Grants stem from legislation lawmakers championed in 2019 Read more
HARRISBURG, March 8 – In an effort to help more residents reduce their prescription drug costs, state Reps. Emily Kinkead and Eddie Day Pashinski have introduced legislation that would direct the Pennsylvania Department of Health to study the potential savings of importing less expensive medicines from Canada. Kinkead, D-Allegheny, and Pashinski, D-Luzerne, said H.B. 833 would also design a potential prescription drug importation program in Pennsylvania when the study demonstrates significant cost savings for consumers. “Pharmaceutical companies claim the costs are driven by market forces and due to the high cost of research and development of new medicines, but those and other arguments they pose lack validity,” said Kinkead. “Drug companies want to enjoy a monopoly to discourage competition, to the detriment of our consumers here in Pennsylvania, including many who rely on life-saving medications and are forced to ration or forego medications they simply cannot afford. That’s reprehensible, and we already know of other states already implementing such programs. It’s time we do the same.” "The increasing cost of prescription drugs is driving up health care expenses, which is driving up every Pennsylvanian's cost of living," Pashinski said. "This legislation makes sure Pennsylvania is developing a long-term solution to this problem. We can potentially save the state and consumers millions of dollars by Read more
AMBRIDGE, March 3 – A state grant of nearly $5,000 will help preserve and promote the area’s rich oral history by funding a project to transcribe and digitize documents from the Baden Archives and the Allegheny-Kiski Valley Historical Society, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the grant to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden is exciting because it will allow the archived information to be placed on the Historic Pittsburgh website for easier access by the public and researchers. “Some of the richest, most detailed accounts of our history begin life as stories and anecdotes,” said Matzie, who is a member of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. “Those accounts can evaporate over time if they are not transcribed and preserved. Securing funding for this project will help safeguard unique, irreplaceable documents and convert them to a modern format that is more accessible for curious residents, historians, students and future generations.” Matzie said the grant is part of a package of nearly $200,000 in Historical and Archival Records Care Grants the commission awarded to 31 projects throughout the state for the care and preservation of archival records. More information about HARC grants is available here. Read more
State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, sent a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf and Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam Wednesday afternoon urging them to continue moving forward with plans to create a statewide COVID-19 vaccine registry Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 10 – State Reps. Dan Miller and Jessica Benham, both D-Allegheny, are planning to introduce a bill that would create the Pennsylvania Department of Accessibility and Inclusion. “Nearly one in four Pennsylvanians have a disability, and despite the best intentions of many, most have only seen modest improvements in their lives and opportunities,” said Miller, a member of the House Autism and Intellectual Disabilities Caucus. “This department would be committed to providing government services and opportunities that are accessible to every Pennsylvanian.” Miller and Benham, who are both part of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation, said the bill would consolidate several existing programs under the new department. It would also create a cabinet-level secretary position in the governor’s administration. “Having a secretary dedicated to the needs of people with disabilities would go a long way in helping the governor’s office craft much-needed policies,” Benham said. “This is a way for Pennsylvania to make sure progress is made and that what matters to people with disabilities is considered.” Miller and Benham are seeking co-sponsors for their planned legislation. Read more
‘Health care is a human right, and we have a long way to go to fulfill that promise’ Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, issued the following statement regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed 2021-22 budget: “The governor’s budget address laid out a clear path that moves our state forward in the right direction. I was pleased to hear him outline his plans on infrastructure investment, which includes long-overdue expansion of broadband access across Pennsylvania, notably in our unserved and underserved communities, safer roads and bridges, and investments to removing lead and asbestos from many of our aging schools. “Our schools have also suffered for many years due to not being fully funded and the governor’s plan will provide our public schools with the resources they need and deserve. For far too long, homeowners in many school districts have had to bear the brunt of skyrocketing property taxes. Governor Wolf’s plan would ensure our districts receive this vital support and that includes raising the salary for teachers to a $45,000 minimum annual salary. No doubt about it -- our teachers have gone above and beyond, even before the pandemic, and they should be fairly compensated for all they do in providing education and support to our children. “Governor Wolf’s support of the Clean Slate Law was just the beginning as it relates to criminal justice reform in our great commonwealth. I was pleased to hear his plans to reform the bail and probation Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 25 – State Reps. Nick Pisciottano and Amen Brown are leading an effort to boost the state stipend for veterans who are blind, paralyzed or amputees due to their military service. The $150 monthly stipend has not seen an increase for more than two decades. Pisciottano, D-Allegheny, and Brown, D-Philadelphia, said they plan on introducing legislation that would increase the monthly stipend disabled veterans receive to $200 per month. Based on rising costs and inflation, the current $150 a month these veterans receive is worth about $98 a month, reflecting a 34% decrease in value. “These men and women gave so much in service to our country and to keep each one of us safe, including the loss of their sight and their mobility,” said Pisciottano. “Each one of them who suffered life-altering, debilitating injuries is truly deserving of a long-overdue increase to this benefit, a benefit that is well within our state’s budgetary means. I’m proud to partner with Representative Brown to make this happen and I anticipate more of our colleagues will sign on to support this worthwhile effort to provide this assistance to our disabled veterans.” “Our veterans deserve our deep gratitude and a salute for their service and for keeping our imperfect democratic republic safe.” Brown said. “However, what veterans deserve – and need more – is real, tangible assistance from our state and federal Read more
‘Her science-led leadership has soothed a frightened public’ Read more
AMBRIDGE, Jan. 15 – Schools in the 16 th Legislative District will be able to apply for approximately $12.62 million in federal CARES Act funding to ensure students have the resources they need to continue learning during the pandemic, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding to eight school districts in the district will help ensure schools have the resources they need to continue offering quality education. “The pandemic’s economic impact has strained resources all around, and school districts are no exception,” Matzie said. “The districts have faced a ton of challenges, from providing safe on-site instruction to ensuring an effective remote curriculum, and I want to commend school officials and our dedicated teachers, aides and other school staff. This funding is going to speed the resources to our districts they need to ensure our students are safe and do not fall behind.” Matzie said the following funding is allocated: Aliquippa School District – $4,032,121. Ambridge Area School District – $2,297,093. Baden Academy Charter School – $875,776. Central Valley School District – $1,173,585. Freedom Area School District – $1,096,991 Hopewell Area School District – Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 13 – Newly sworn-in state Rep. Nick Pisciottano has joined House Democratic leadership in co-sponsoring a measure designed to help Pennsylvanians struggling to pay their rent or mortgage during the current pandemic. Pisciottano, D-Allegheny, said the Pennsylvania Housing Energy Lessee Protection Strategy , or PA HELPS, is a $974 million proposal that would keep people in their homes, thus avoiding evictions and foreclosures, and it also would help local landlords. PA HELPS would direct the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to set up an easy-to-use program to quickly provide assistance to those in need. “We have thousands of Pennsylvanians, including many in my district, who continue to struggle to pay their rent or mortgage as this pandemic continues, and they can’t afford to wait any longer for the help they need and deserve,” said Pisciottano. “This proposal would do just that and remove the fear and anxiety they’ve been experiencing and allow them to stay safely in their homes.” The $974 million in funding included in the proposal is composed of $852 million in estimated federal aid allocated to Pennsylvania for emergency rental assistance. It also includes $122 million that would be redirected back from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. In November, the $122 million that was originally earmarked toward rental and mortgage relief was instead used to close a Read more
Grant to fund repairs to 117-year-old railroad bridge in North Versailles Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 11 – Today state Rep. Emily Kinkead announced she has been chosen to serve on four standing House committees. Kinkead, D-Allegheny, will be serving as a member of the Agriculture, Appropriations, Human Services, and Judiciary committees. “I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on these committees, which cover a wide range of issues, including agriculture - considered one of our state’s top industries - to oversee the state’s budgetary process, ensure our social services programs are providing the support our residents need and deserve, especially during the ongoing pandemic, and review measures related to the oversight of law enforcement agencies and our corrections system,” Kinkead said. “We certainly have a great deal of work ahead of us in this new legislative session, and I’m excited and looking forward to hitting the ground running to making real, meaningful differences in the lives of our residents.” Kinkead is among 25 new members in the House who were recently sworn into office. For assistance with a variety of state-related services, including property tax/rent rebate assistance, help with unemployment compensation, or home heating help, please visit her website at www.pahouse.net/kinkead . Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 11 – State Rep. Nick Pisciottano announced he has been named to serve on three standing committees in the PA House of Representatives. Pisciottano, D-Allegheny, will serve on the Commerce, Labor & Industry, and Tourism & Recreational Development committees. “It’s no secret that our communities have been devastated by the current pandemic and serving on the Commerce and Labor and Industry committees will provide me with an opportunity to help with unemployment compensation issues, protect workers’ rights and assist our small businesses with much-needed relief and support,” said Pisciottano. “With tourism considered the second-largest industry in our state, and many of my constituents working in this industry, I am proud to have a voice at the table to promote and expand our tourism and recreational opportunities here in Allegheny County.” Pisciottano is among 25 new members in the House who were recently sworn into office. For assistance with a variety of state-related services, including property tax/rent rebate assistance, help with unemployment compensation, or home heating help, residents may visit his website at www.pahouse.net/pisciottano . Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, has been sworn into office for her first term representing the 20 th Legislative District. “I was proud and honored to take the oath of office today and I am committed to being your voice in Harrisburg,” said Kinkead. “We have a lot of work ahead of us in this session, and that includes helping people who are out of work and struggling due to the pandemic. I am committed to fighting for the changes we need, including raising our state’s minimum wage, affordable health care, criminal justice reforms and supporting much-needed economic development in our communities. I promise to work together with my colleagues to bring needed relief and changes to benefit all residents of our great state.” Prior to her election in November 2020, Kinkead worked as an attorney in private practice. While earning her law degree at the University of Pittsburgh, she interned with a legal aid clinic in Eldoret, Kenya, protecting the rights of HIV+ individuals and victims of domestic and gender violence. She also interned at Neighborhood Legal Services in Pittsburgh, helping low-income tenants in landlord-tenant disputes and at the Pitt Law Immigration Clinic, assisting clients seeking asylum in the United States. Prior to entering private practice, Kinkead clerked for Commonwealth Court Judge Michael Wojcik. She is an active volunteer with the Junior League of Read more
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