Letter to Congress, Psilocybin Hearing, Podcast on Pittsburgh’s River Fronts, and more

Rep. Emily Kinkead September 26, 2025 | 4:24 PM

In this update:

Message Members of Congress
Community Day This Saturday 9/27
Application Deadlines for First Responder Funding

Coat Giveaway
Legislation Confronting Maternal and Infant Morbidity
And so much more!

Take Action to End Hunger

As Hunger Action Month comes to a close, I am encouraging folks to email Members of Congress to demand the reinstatement of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Household Food Security report, which is the gold standard for measuring hunger in our nation.

This report provides critical data for anti-hunger initiatives, and without it, the hunger crisis in the United States will only get worse.

Changes to SNAP Requirements

As of September 1, most SNAP recipients are now required to work at least 20 hours per week (or 80 hours per month) and report these hours to continue receiving benefits.

These new barriers to SNAP were created by Republicans in Congress and the Trump Administration. Please share the flyer above with any SNAP recipients you know. Visit this website to learn more.

Policy Committee Hearings on Mental Health Treatment, Maternal Health Outcomes

Last week, the PA House Majority Policy Committee held a hearing exploring innovative treatments for mental health, like psilocybin, that could offer hope for people living with treatment-resistant depression, PTSI, and other conditions. My colleague Rep. Jenn O’Mara has introduced legislation (H.B. 1439) that would allow pharmaceutical-grade psilocybin to be administered under medical supervision if it is approved by the FDA.

Hearing from medical experts, advocates, veterans, and first responders emphasized just how urgent it is that Pennsylvania modernize its laws so patients can access life-saving care as soon as possible. Mental health care is health care — and it must be treated like it.

Later in the week, we convened a hearing examining ways to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Black women in Pennsylvania die at more than double the rate of white women from pregnancy-related causes. Meanwhile, Black infants die at more than twice the rate of white infants, with mortality consistently driven by prematurity and low birthweight. Data shows these disparities are driven by a range of socio-economic factors including the conditions in which families live, work, and give birth.

I’m proud to support legislation proposed by the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus to directly confront the staggering rate of Black maternal mortality and morbidity in our Commonwealth.

Pregnancy Resources in Our Community

Genesis of Pittsburgh is based right here in Bellevue and offers pregnancy and parenting resources, including parenting classes, maternity supplies, emotional support, and temporary housing.

As the colder months approach, they are also hosting a coat giveaway to ensure every child and family in our community stays warm this winter. Those in need may call their office at 412-766-5212.

Protecting Our Waterways

I recently took a boat tour where I learned about the work that the PA Fish and Boat Commission does to keep our waterways safe, clean, and accessible. I’m grateful to Officers Matthew Scott and Mike Johnson for showing me the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers from their perspective, as well as walking me through the challenges they face every day. Coincidentally, we also ran into my colleague Rep. Anita Kulik and a PA Department of Environmental Protection team doing hands-on research with electro-fishing and mussel testing!

As we continue making policy decisions in Harrisburg that affect waterways across the Commonwealth, experiences like this help us better understand the critical funding and support needs of agencies such as PFBC and DEP. Healthy waterways mean safer recreation, stronger ecosystems, and thriving communities.

Podcast on Pittsburgh River Fronts

I had the chance to sit down with the C & G Strategies podcast to talk about how my legislation to expand the Waterfront Development Tax Credit would benefit river front properties here in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania.

Check out the podcast here.

Deadlines for State Grant Applications

Deadlines are fast approaching for state grant programs that help provide critical funding for our local firefighters and EMS providers!

Visit my website to see a list of grant programs currently accepting applications and contact my office if you have any questions about the grant applications process. My team and I are happy to help you and can provide a letter of support.

Upcoming Events

Join Senator Lindsey Williams and me from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Ross Township Community Center (1000 Ross Municipal Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15237) for some Halloween fun! We’ll be sharing the latest information on state programs, along with dozens of health-related vendors offering resources for local seniors.

Contact my office for more information.

Ross Township Community Day is this Saturday, September 27! Enjoy food, live music, vendors, Touch-a-Truck, balloons, caricatures, magic and more.

Riverview Park Day 2025 and Spaceburgh 2025 are both happening in Riverview Park on Sunday, October 5. Volunteers may sign up here.

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

RiverBOO! Park 5K on Friday, October 10. Volunteers are needed. If interested, please email Christine.Whispell@pittsburghpa.gov.

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

If you have questions about anything in 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.