HARRISBURG, March 13 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead sent a letter to Gov. Josh Shapiro today requesting his support for state budget initiatives guaranteeing no child in the Pennsylvania public school system will go hungry during the time they are supposed to be learning. “The federal pandemic programs guaranteeing free breakfast and lunch in schools over the past three years demonstrated the immense benefits of providing free school meals,” said Kinkead. “Why stop now? Learning minds require nutrition whether a pandemic is happening or not. We have the money, and we know it benefits both educators and students in our schools. This is a real opportunity to permanently improve all Pennsylvania schools and it would be foolish not to pursue it.” In the letter, Kinkead thanked Shapiro for highlighting food insecurity in his budget address but was adamant she believes his proposal does not go far enough to address child hunger. Most notably, where Shapiro included free breakfast in his budget proposal, she is requesting an estimated $275 million be added to the state budget to provide universal free school meals – breakfast and lunch – to all K-12 students in Pennsylvania public schools. She is also requesting an additional $30 million increase to the state’s supplement for the community eligibility programs and $25 million to be used to retire student lunch debt across the Commonwealth. “Altogether, this request Read more
State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, announced today that he has been appointed to three Pennsylvania House standing committees – Health, Insurance and Professional Licensure – for the 2023-24 legislative session. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 7 – Rep. Dan Deasy, D-Allegheny, said he is honored to be appointed the majority chair of the House Liquor Control Committee for the 2023-24 legislative session. The Liquor Control Committee handles legislation dealing with the manufacturing and sale of alcohol in the state through Pennsylvania’s Liquor Code. It also oversees the operations of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, as well as liquor enforcement, which is handled by the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement within the Pennsylvania State Police. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the majority chairman of this committee,” Deasy said. “In this new role, I remain committed to looking for ways to help small businesses that are still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. I will also fight to preserve the family-sustaining jobs of 3,500 state store workers previously threatened by efforts to privatize the state’s liquor system.” Deasy has served as the minority chair of the Liquor Control Committee since 2019. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 7 – Rep. Anita Kulik, D-Allegheny, announced today her appointment as majority chair of the House Game and Fisheries Committee for the 2023-24 legislative session. “Pennsylvania is a haven for hunters and anglers with its robust and vibrant natural resources,” Kulik said. “It is an honor and privilege to be chair of a committee that prides itself on furthering legislation that focuses on continued stewardship of Pennsylvania’s wildlife and outdoor resources, while also enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities for current and future generations.” The House Game and Fisheries Committee works with the state Game and Fish and Boat commissions, which are both independent entities that are largely self-funded by license purchases and fees, to review bills that ensure the interests of hunters and anglers are well represented. “Sportsmen and women have long heard the call of the outdoors here in Pennsylvania, and as chair of this committee, I will work to honor their voices when it comes to hunting, fishing and wildlife-related issues and policies implemented by the Game Commission and the Fish and Boat Commission.” Kulik has served on the Game and Fisheries Committee since 2019. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 8 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, has been named to the PA House Appropriations Committee . “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve on such an influential committee. Our state budget, like any budget, is a statement of priorities,” Abney said. “I look forward to prioritizing the needs of my constituents and all residents of the Commonwealth to produce a budget that works for everyone.” Abney will chair the body’s Health and Human Services Subcommittee and joins his House Democratic colleagues State Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, Manuel Guzman Jr., Emily Kinkead, Napoleon Nelson and Benjamin Sanchez who will chair the Education, Economy/Infrastructure, Fiscal, Criminal Justice and Government/Financial Oversight subcommittees, respectively. State Rep. Regina Young will serve as the committee’s secretary; State Rep. Kyle Mullins was appointed vice chair and State Rep. Jordan Harris will chair the committee. Read more
Says budget addresses many pressing issues across Pennsylvania Read more
Says access to health care, lowering costs are key issues in years ahead Read more
Legislation would prohibit registered sexually violent predators from residing within 2,500 feet of a public school, private school, parochial school, pre-school, or childcare facility. Read more
Leadership role comes amid historic change in House leadership Read more
PITTSBURGH, March 1 – The Biden-Harris administration has awarded $23.5 million to support construction of a new terminal currently underway at the Pittsburgh International Airport, members of the state House Allegheny County Democratic Delegation announced today. “In recent months, Americans have experienced unacceptable levels of delays and interruptions at airports across the country,” said state Rep. Nick Pisciottano, the delegation chair. “This new terminal will expand the capabilities of Pittsburgh International and contribute to our region’s reputation as a national leader in transportation and infrastructure. Building and maintaining robust transportation infrastructure throughout southwestern Pennsylvania will require effort and dedication from all levels of government and I thank President Biden for his support at the federal level.” Pisciottano specified the project will add a 700,000-square-foot landside terminal, which includes a new baggage handling system, elevators and escalators. He added that, when the terminal is complete, improvements to security screening and baggage checking will greatly enhance the experience of all travelers passing through the airport. Construction crews broke ground on the project in October 2021. The total cost of the airport project is estimated to be $1.4 billion and to be completed in 2025. An interactive map showing the nearly $1 billion awarded to 99 airports of all shapes Read more
Bill would require insurance, programs to cover inspections and well visits Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 27 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, called for increasing outreach and expanding public food resources at a legislative lunch and learn hosted by the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Coalition at the state Capitol today. “Inflating food prices over the past year, coupled with the end of federal pandemic programs, will be devastating for many low-income families in the Commonwealth,” said Kinkead. “Whether it’s connecting people to community food banks or state programs like the Senior Food Box, we need to do more to ensure food insecure Pennsylvanians can pay their grocery bills and access adequate nutrition.” According to the PHAC, more than 300,000 Pennsylvania seniors are eligible for the existing Pennsylvania Senior Food Box , but only about 35,000 are enrolled to receive it this year. Kinkead said spreading awareness about the underutilized program could be one way to provide relief to the many Pennsylvanians heading toward a “hunger cliff.” Kinkead emphasized more than 1.8 million Pennsylvanians are enrolled in SNAP and that beneficiary households are expected to receive about $180 less per month, expressing concern that existing programs and resources may be overwhelmed by the increased demand. “Hunger doesn’t always look like a person holding a cardboard sign; it often looks like a parent working full-time on minimum wage or a young student becoming disruptive in class because they Read more
New state funding of $750,000 to the Northland Public Library Authority in McCandless will help rehabilitate parts of the structure providing more safety to people who visit, state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, announced today. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 24 – A state grant of $750,000 has been awarded to Northland Public Library Authority, which serves residents of the 20th Legislative District, state Rep. Emily Kinkead announced today. “Libraries make knowledge accessible to everyone,” said Kinkead. “Because they are free to access, they grant low-income families in every community entry to a wealth of educational resources, as well as tools to access government programs and apply for jobs. Tax dollars invested in public libraries pay dividends by expanding opportunities for everyone, and I will continue advocating for investments from the state to help our libraries grow so that they can continue to help our communities thrive.” The grants pay up to 50% of eligible costs in planning, acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of public libraries. Examples of fundable projects include but are not limited to: ADA upgrades, roof improvements, replacement windows, energy efficient upgrades to HVAC systems, facility expansion and new construction. More than $4 million was awarded to 21 public libraries across the state through this round of the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 23 – Schools in Allegheny County were awarded nearly $183,000 in state grants to purchase new food service equipment, members of the state House Allegheny County Democratic Delegation announced today. “Kids can’t learn on an empty stomach,” said state Rep. Nick Pisciottano, who chairs the delegation. “We want to make Allegheny County schools the best they can possibly be and that means making sure cafeterias have the right equipment to feed our children nutritious meals every school day of the year.” Pisciottano said the following local funding was among more than $2.7 million in grants awarded to schools across the state: $5,175 to Nazareth Prep School District for a convection oven at the Seville School. $5,175 to Nazareth Prep School District for a convection oven at the Moon Anthony School. $13,500 to Pittsburgh School District for a convection oven at Greenfield Elementary School. $13,500 to Pittsburgh School District for a convection oven at the Fulton Academy of Science. $28,600 to Plum Borough School District for a combi oven at Plum Middle School. $25,000 to Propel Schools for a combi oven at Propel Braddock Hills High School. $25,000 to Propel Schools for a combi oven at Propel Montour Middle School. $8,700 to Provident Charter School for a reach-in freezer. $24,600 to Steel Valley School District for a convection steamer at Steel Valley Senior High School. $8,400 to Steel Valley Read more
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 23 – Regional workforce development organization Partner4Work will receive a $260,000 grant through the state Department of Labor & Industry’s Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship Industry Partnership, members of the state House Allegheny County Democratic Delegation announced today. Reflecting on the recent House Democratic Policy Committee hearing in McCandless addressing critical health care staffing issues, state Rep. Nick Pisciottano, the delegation chair, said the investment will play a significant role in filling the employment void hospitals and care providers have been facing since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. “While this is an important investment from the state, it’s just a drop in the bucket,” said Pisciottano. “There is a colossal shortage of health care workers right now, and fixing this problem is going to require a more aggressive pursuit of policy reforms and funding initiatives at all levels.” Through its Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board, P4W will use Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship Industry Partnership grant funding to establish health care partnerships, expand community outreach between employers and potential workers, and promote apprenticeship opportunities in the health care industry, specifically preparing individuals for careers as licensed professional nurses and certified nursing assistants. The grant program is part of the COVID-19 Nursing Workforce Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 21 – Rep. Matthew Gergely , D-Allegheny, today took the oath of office as PA’s 35 th District representative at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. “I am excited to continue to serve my community and I am humbled by the trust the people I represent have placed in me,” Gergely said. “I look forward to working with my fellow legislators to pass smart policies that will have a positive impact on our communities and families.” Gergely previously served as chief of staff to McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko from 2012-17 and then as McKeesport Area School District’s business manager from 2017-2020. Since last year, he held the position of McKeesport’s chief revenue officer. As a legislator, Gergely said he plans to focus on supporting both public schools and unions, helping to create better jobs and prepare students for lifelong success. Photos of today’s swearing-in can be found here . Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 21 – Joe McAndrew, D-Allegheny, took the oath of office as PA’s 32 nd Legislative District representative today at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. “I am excited to be sworn in today to represent my neighbors in the 32 nd Legislative District,” McAndrew said. “Our communities and commonwealth face a lot of challenges, but I am confident that I can work with my fellow legislators to enact policies that not only support our communities but also create the environment we need to build a better Pennsylvania for everyone.” McAndrew previously served as the Allegheny County Democratic Committee’s executive director and worked with Congressman Chris Deluzio. He also brings with him the experience of working in Harrisburg, as he served on former Democratic House Minority Leader Frank Dermody’s team from 2012-14. Key issues McAndrew plans to focus on include public safety, public transportation, raising the minimum wage, supporting strong unions, providing resources for seniors, investing in renewable energy, ending gun violence, protecting women’s reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ rights, and fighting for equitable school funding. Photos of today’s swearing-in can be found here . Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 21 – Abigail Salisbury , D-Allegheny, took the oath of office as PA’s 34 th Legislative District representative today at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. “I want to thank my neighbors for the enormous trust they have placed in me to be their voice in Harrisburg,” Salisbury said. “I feel deeply honored, and I pledge to do my very best to represent our communities in Harrisburg, and to fight for the smart, progressive policies we need to build a better Commonwealth – one that works for all Pennsylvania.” Salisbury has spent her career in legal service. Her background includes: working on human rights and microfinance issues in Kosovo, Senegal and Ethiopia. teaching First Amendment law to undergraduates at the University of Pittsburgh. establishing a law practice to provide nonprofits and small business with more affordable legal services. serving as executive director of JURIST.org . Salisbury served for five years on Swissvale’s Borough Council and was its president for two years. Key issues Salisbury said she plans to focus on include improving infrastructure, standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, fostering small businesses, supporting public schools and preserving the environment. Photos from today’s swearing-in can be found here . Read more
Group meets at Avonworth High School to discuss federal Inflation Reduction Act Read more
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