- Free Vaccine Clinic 10/30
- Mail Ballot Deadline
- Social Security During the Shutdown
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- Design Contest for Students
- GOP Senate Continues State Budget Impasse
- And so much more!
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Please note that my office will be closing early at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, October 24. We will resume normal hours on Monday, October 27.
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Don’t Miss My Senior Fair
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My annual Senior Fair happening from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, October 30 at the Ross Township Community Center will be one for the books! Don’t miss out on Halloween fun and dozens of health-related vendors, including a seasonal vaccine clinic from Waltmire Pharmacy.
Click here to see some photos from our fair last year.
Please note that my Bellevue office will be closed on October 30, as my staff and I will be working the senior fair.
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Are you voting in the municipal election on November 4?
October 28 is the last day to request a mail-in ballot.
If you’re voting by mail, make sure you request your mail ballot as soon as possible. Because ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on November 4 (not postmarked), if you have not yet requested your mail-in ballot, you should make a plan to return your mail ballot in-person to your county election office.
For Allegheny County, the elections office is located in downtown Pittsburgh at the County Office Building (542 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15219).
Instructions for completing mail ballots and more voting resources are available on the PA Department of State website.
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Nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians will not receive SNAP benefits in November because of the federal government shutdown driven entirely by Republicans. And let me be clear, the Republicans control both the House and Senate in Congress and the White House, and have all the votes that they need to change the rules to get around a filibuster if they so wished. They have the power to end this shutdown today, but even their own members do not agree with the draconian cuts to healthcare subsidies and other social safety net programs and so the stalemate continues. Unfortunately, until a federal budget is passed, the roughly $366 million in SNAP funds that Pennsylvania receives every month will disappear. For those who rely on SNAP, this isn’t an inconvenience. It’s an emergency – one that could cost the lives of seniors, people with disabilities, and children across Pennsylvania if Congressional Republicans continue to refuse to negotiate.
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Even worse, state Senate Republicans are refusing to pass the state budget and stonewalling the limited ways our state General Assembly could act to help feed these families. The state cannot fill the hunger gaps left by the erasure of federal SNAP funding. However, we absolutely could and should increase funding for our state level anti-hunger programs like the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) and the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) in the state budget. The cruel reality is that state Senate Republicans — who have controlled the chamber for more than 30 years — refuse to even consider real solutions to food insecurity.
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Whether it is hunger or health care, dysfunction within the Senate Republican Caucus is at the heart of our policy problems at the state level. Pennsylvania cannot fill the massive hole left by the loss of federal SNAP dollars and other anti-hunger funding, such as the Local Food Purchase Assistance program, but we could use our own state programs to respond and actually help struggling families weather this crisis. Instead, the Senate majority is blocking even those limited tools, holding up funding that could make a difference for families in every corner of the Commonwealth.
Republican leaders in the state Senate have refused to finalize the bipartisan, balanced budget passed by the House Instead, they keep pushing a mindless regurgitation of last year’s budget, which, because of inflation, would mean cuts for every county in the state.
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Tell Senators Kim Ward and Joe Pittman to stop playing political games, come back to Harrisburg, and negotiate in good faith on a budget that actually meets the needs of Pennsylvanians.
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Because of the Republican-led federal government shutdown, Pennsylvania is also being forced to delay LIHEAP—vital home-heating assistance for 300,000 families—by a full month. If you need help heating your home this winter, here's a list of utility companies' assistance programs.
Get more information on the LIHEAP delay here.
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While Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments will continue to be paid throughout the federal government shutdown, Social Security offices are operating with reduced services.
If you or someone you know relies on Social Security, be sure to enroll in their online program to receive updates and manage your benefits.
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Attention nonprofits looking to maximize their impact!
My colleague Rep. Abigail Salisbury is hosting a nonprofit symposium from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 30 at the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 9 PA, located at 100 Kingston Drive in Wilkins Township.
The free event will feature expert-led sessions with tips and strategies on developing a small donor plan, maximizing state grant funding, working with elected officials to achieve your organization's goals, finance and budgeting, and much more! Lunch will be provided, and you’ll receive a free copy of the latest state grant directory.
Please note that registration is required. Visit this page to register by Oct. 28.
If you need help registering or have any questions, please call 412-273-3400 or email RepSalisbury@pahouse.net.
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RSVP here for the Pittsburgh Police Expo happening October 24.
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Animal Friends will support veterans and current service members by providing free vaccinations for their cats and dogs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 30. Proof of military or veteran status is required. No appointments are necessary. Microchips and treatments for fleas and ticks will also be available for an additional cost.
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The state Department of the Auditor General is inviting students to draw the cover for their new Be Money $mart activity book! Submissions are due October 31.
Get details here.
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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.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
116-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-5470
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District Office
658 Lincoln Ave.
Bellevue, PA 15202
(412) 321-5523
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