In this update:

• Up to $45K for 1st Time Homebuyers
• Bills Supporting Veterans
• Money in Your Mailbox

• Dress for Success
• The Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit
• And so much more!

Last week at the state Capitol, I was honored with a Legislator of the Year Award from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics! I am proud to receive this award from one of the world’s leading voices on nutrition and thank them for bestowing me this prestigious honor.

I voted for many bills last week to improve the lives of folks here in Allegheny County and Pennsylvanians across the state! Here are some of the bills that passed the PA House over the course of our three-day session week:

H.B. 81 – Prohibiting fees for consumers who choose to pay by mail or receive a paper bill.

H.B. 630 - Updating the state’s Equal Pay Law to prohibit employers from paying workers less because of their gender, race or ethnicity and protect employees from retaliation in any wage discrimination matters.

H.B. 734 - Protecting tenants by requiring landlords to pay displaced tenants a relocation payment equal to six months’ rent if the rental property has code violations that require the condemnation of the property, or the property is deemed unfit for human habitation.

H.B. 926 - Protecting our health care workers by creating the Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Act, which requires a health facility to establish protocols and guidance on programs to prevent workplace violence.

H.B. 993 – Requiring the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to oversee the design of a “veteran-owned business” logo and issue licenses for use by veteran-owned businesses.

H.B. 1102 – Supporting veterans by expanding the Pennsylvania National Guard incentive program to include chaplains, health care officers, JAG officers, and medical officers.

Remember that, to become law, these bills must also be passed by the state Senate and then approved by the governor. Visit pahouse.com to read more about the work we’re doing in the PA House.

Last Wednesday, I also voted for H.B. 1200 – the first bill to legalize adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania that has passed either chamber in our state legislature. While I have proposed a different model for cannabis legalization with Rep. Abby Major (R-Armstrong), I believe passing this bill is an important step forward in Pennsylvania’s journey toward legalizing cannabis.

It is far, far past time for us to catch up with every state that borders us (minus West Virginia) and implement a legal framework for adult-use cannabis. On top of the fact that our state is in dire need of additional revenue, far too many people have had their lives destroyed by our criminal justice system for a substance that is objectively less harmful than already legal substances, like alcohol.

I am hopeful that this action will push the Republican-controlled state Senate to finally have a serious discussion with us about legalization.

Last week in Harrisburg also featured one of my favorite events of the year – the annual kickoff event for the Capitol Hunger Garden!

Providing hundreds of pounds of fresh produce annually to Downtown Daily Bread, this space continues to amplify the mission of the Legislative Hunger Caucus – to combat hunger across the state, improve access to nutrition programs, and educate Pennsylvania legislators on food insecurity issues.

I am honored to serve as the House Co-Chair of the Hunger Caucus and help lead hunger awareness efforts across Pennsylvania. I can’t wait to see what Chef Mieshia Jackson cooks up with this year’s harvest!

To make a fantastic week in Harrisburg even better, I had the opportunity to meet Sheryl Lee Ralph. She spoke at a Capitol rally about how vital it is to encourage and enable more children to read, especially in these tense moments our nation is facing.

It was great meeting you, Sheryl!

Back here at home, I had the pleasure of attending the 12th Annual Disability and Mental Health Summit, hosted by my colleague Rep. Dan Miller at CCAC’s Allegheny Campus. I always look forward to this event—it’s an educational experience for everyone, bringing together resources and leading experts in an easy-to-access environment to discuss how we can all work together to solve problems in this field.

Click here or on the image above to learn more about this year’s Summit.

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato announced a new program for first-time homebuyers last week! The new 1st Home Allegheny Program helps eligible first-time homebuyers purchase a home in Allegheny County by providing loan assistance of $10,000 or $45,000, depending on household income.

Click here to get all the details.

Stop by Ross/West View EMSA next Wednesday for their open house and free car seat inspections!

Dress for Success mobile services are coming to a location near you! These events are FREE and open to any women and non-binary people who need clothing or employment readiness support. Whether you need a new job or a new outfit – they’ve got you covered!

Veterans are invited to join PA CareerLink Pittsburgh for a hiring event on Wednesday, May 14 from noon to 3 p.m. at 914 Penn Ave., Floor 6, Pittsburgh, PA.

Call 412-248-5627 or email info@careerlinkpittsburgh.org for more information.

According to the state Treasury, 40,000 Pennsylvanians are receiving letters this week as part of the PA Money Match program, which returns unclaimed property worth $500 or less automatically.

You can search for unclaimed property by visiting this page. My office can also help you search! If you have any questions about PA Money Match or need assistance with any state-related matter, my staff and I are here to help! Reach out at RepKinkead@pahouse.net or call 412-321-5523.

Pennsylvania State Capitol

116-B East Wing

Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-5470

District Office

658 Lincoln Ave.

Bellevue, PA 15202
(412) 321-5523