Pirates Fighting Hunger, SNAP Changes, Upcoming Community Events, and more

Rep. Emily Kinkead September 9, 2025 | 1:49 PM

In this update:

Spaceburgh 2025
Policy Hearings in Allegheny County
Animal Vaccine Clinic

E-Recycling in Allegheny County
Fellowship for College Students
And so much more!

Fighting Hunger with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Last week I joined the Pittsburgh Pirates and food insecurity advocates at PNC Park to recognize September as Hunger Action Month.

Food insecurity affects 1 in 8 Pennsylvanians, and federal cuts to SNAP are making the crisis worse. As the House Chair of the PA Hunger Caucus, I’m asking everyone to take action to address hunger by donating your time or money to your local food banks this month and by calling on federal, state, and local leaders to increase and restore funding to our anti-hunger programs.

Huge thanks to the Pirates for helping us shine a light on hunger and to all my colleagues who are working every day to feed more Pennsylvanians.

Don’t forget the annual Capitol All-Stars Game, an event centered around supporting Pennsylvania’s charitable food network, is happening at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 29.

I’m proud to help bring lawmakers together to battle hunger through initiatives like this—I hope you can make it!

Policy Committee in Allegheny County

Last week the PA House Majority Policy Committee traveled to Allegheny County and I was excited to co-host three separate hearings on waterfront development tax credits, data centers , and exciting job growth happening at Pittsburgh International Airport.

The first hearing was aboard Shore Thing, a Riverlife project located along the north shore of the Allegheny River. We discussed the success of Pennsylvania’s existing Waterfront Development Tax Credit program and how expanding it would create more opportunities for jobs, investments, and community spaces along our waterways — not just in Pittsburgh, but all across Pennsylvania.

Read more about our hearing and my legislation to expand the Waterfront Development Tax Credit here.

The following day, we focused on the growing number of data centers being proposed across Pennsylvania. It is imperative for us, as elected leaders, to address the questions related to energy reliability, consumer costs, land use, and environmental protections. These facilities create jobs and attract investments, but the voices of workers, organized labor, energy providers, and conservationists must be included in the conversation.

As the race to build data centers heats up, know that PA House Democrats remain committed to protecting our communities and natural resources. Read more about our hearing here.

Our final hearing of the week was at Pittsburgh International Airport, which is helping make Western PA more than just a travel destination! It’s a hub for innovation, energy, and job creation. At our hearing, we highlighted the exciting Mainspring Energy project at PIT, which is expected to bring nearly 1,000 jobs to our region, as well as how Pennsylvania can continue to attract energy and manufacturing investments.

Click here to learn more about this investment and more that will help grow our economy while driving sustainable energy solutions.

Important Changes for SNAP Recipients

Requirements for SNAP recipients in Pennsylvania are changing, thanks to Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill that was signed into law in July.

Under the new federal rules, to keep or become eligible for SNAP benefits, certain people will have to meet SNAP work requirements that include working, volunteering, or participating in an education or training program for at least 20 hours a week (or 80 hours each month) AND report that you are meeting these work requirements.

Pennsylvania no longer qualifies for waivers of these rules by county or municipal jurisdiction because of a change in the federal law. Certain people may be exempt from these requirements.

Please share this information with any SNAP recipients you know and visit this website to learn more.

Upcoming Events

Get your car seat installed or inspected for free at Ross West View EMSA’s annual car seat event on Wednesday, September 10. Call 412-931-8200 or email cps@rwvems.org to register.

On-site animal vaccine clinic happening Friday, September 12.

Check out a job fair on September 12 with Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS) as well as support programs they offer for immigrant workers.

Riverview Park Day 2025 and Spaceburgh 2025 are both happening in Riverview Park on Sunday, October 5.

Ink for Impact at Velum Fermentation on Sunday, October 5.

Recycling collection event for e-waste and more on Saturday, October 18.

Applications Open for the PA House Fellowship Program

Know a student interested in state government? Let them know the PA House Legislative Fellowship Program is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2025 semester.

The Fellowship Program is based in the State Capitol Building in Harrisburg. Fellows are assigned to work in House Committees or House Leadership offices, receive compensation for their work (which may also include college credit), and are provided opportunities to draft and present their own legislation, attend meet-and-greets with public officials and staff, and tour some of the Commonwealth’s historic public spaces.

Go to pahousefellowship.us for more information and directions on how to apply.

If you have any questions about this email 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.