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Kinkead: It’s time to take action to combat climate change

(Mar 24, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

HARRISBURG, March 24 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead has introduced legislation that would effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Pennsylvania to zero. Kinkead, D-Allegheny, said her bill, which would be known as the Energy Transition Recovery Act , would direct funds from the sale of carbon allowances sold at auction through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to methods designed to curb those emissions by 2050. Pennsylvania is expected to become a member of RGGI by 2022. “Earlier this week, the governor announced the Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy, part of the GreenGov initiative, which I fully support, and my legislation fits in with that effort by making a significant impact in lowering carbon dioxide emissions,” said Kinkead. “My colleagues and I took an oath to protect and uphold the state Constitution, which includes the right to clean air and water. It’s imperative we move forward and do all we can to protect our future children and grandchildren, and we can do so right now.” Kinkead’s legislation is currently under consideration in the House Environmental Energy and Resources Committee. Read more

 

Kinkead: Governor’s clean energy initiative is the right step for PA

(Mar 22, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

HARRISBURG, March 22 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, issued the following statement on Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement on the Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy, part of the GreenGov initiative: “I fully support and applaud the Wolf administration’s efforts, which will positively impact our state and move us further away from a fossil fuel-based economy. “Nearly two years ago, an executive order was introduced that paved the way for our state to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The fact that we have not moved closer to joining RGGI is beyond frustrating, especially when you consider that in July of last year, our nation tied with July 2016 as the second hottest month on record. Our polar caps are continuing to melt, sea levels and temperatures rise, and forest areas in the Amazon and across our world continue to burn. “It’s imperative we do more to combat climate change, and today’s announcement will make a significant impact. PULSE will launch the largest solar energy commitment by any government entity in our country. It will supply about half the energy used by state government, creating hundreds of jobs and making a huge impact in lowering carbon dioxide emissions. This effort closely aligns with my bill, H.B. 989 , to be known as the Energy Transition Recovery Act, which would direct funds from the sale of carbon allowances sold at Read more

 

Rep. Kinkead’s Weekly Update - Protecting people with disabilities, mitigation updates and more!

(Mar 18, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

I support protecting our residents with disabilities, and that includes speaking up on measures that - while appearing to have the best of intentions - would actually do more harm than good. Read more

 

Allegheny County rental relief program now accepting applications

(Mar 15, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

HARRISBURG, March 15 – Financial assistance is now available to help Allegheny County residents struggling to pay rent or utilities during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a program that is partially funded by legislation members of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation helped to pass. The Allegheny County Emergency Rental Assistance program has a total of $79.9 million to distribute to eligible county residents. Of that funding, $43 million came from Act 1 of 2021, which Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law last month. Eligibility requirements for the program include: having at least one person who qualifies for unemployment, has lost income or suffered financially due to COVID-19. being at risk of experiencing homelessness. having a total income below 80% of the Area Median Income for Allegheny County. ACDD Chairman state Rep. Austin Davis, as well as state Reps. Jessica Benham, Dan Deasy, Tony DeLuca, Dan Frankel, Ed Gainey, Sara Innamorato, Emily Kinkead, Anita Kulik, Summer Lee, Brandon Markosek, Robert Matzie, Dan Miller, Nick Pisciottano and Jake Wheatley, issued the following statement: “People living in Allegheny County have been struggling for over a year during this pandemic. This program has been a long time coming and helps provide direct relief to those who’ve been scrambling to pay their rent and bills during this Read more

 

Rabb reintroduces legislation to raise the minimum wage in Pa. and expand it to apply to vulnerable members of the workforce

(Mar 12, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

HARRISBURG, March 12 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., has reintroduced legislation that would increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour and expand it to apply to vulnerable members of the workforce. “Raising the minimum wage is a matter of providing dignity to hardworking people – some of the hardest working people in our commonwealth – and in so doing, prioritizing equity for people who are very often the most vulnerable among us,” Rabb said. “There are a lot of misnomers out there that, paired with misinformation, skew how some people who oppose raising the minimum wage view this issue. But at its essence, ensuring no one is paid a poverty wage is simply a matter of doing the right thing.” The term “small business” is one misnomer Rabb said he wants to clarify, especially in data that government entities use when considering changes to minimum wage laws. He discussed this point during a recent Commerce Committee meeting. “Most people believe that small businesses are mom-and-pop shops,” Rabb said. “The federal government defines small businesses as [having] fewer than 500 employees, which is a massive number.” Rabb said most people think of their local pizzeria when they think about small businesses, but the classification includes corporations that have hundreds of employees. “In the United States, 99.7% of all businesses are considered small businesses,” Rabb said. Read more

 

Rep. Kinkead's Weekly Update - Pushing for lower drug costs, budget hearing recap and more!

(Mar 11, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

This week, state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski and I introduced legislation to help you save money on your medications. Read more

 

Kinkead, Pashinski introduce bill to help Pennsylvanians save money on medications

(Mar 08, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

HARRISBURG, March 8 – In an effort to help more residents reduce their prescription drug costs, state Reps. Emily Kinkead and Eddie Day Pashinski have introduced legislation that would direct the Pennsylvania Department of Health to study the potential savings of importing less expensive medicines from Canada. Kinkead, D-Allegheny, and Pashinski, D-Luzerne, said H.B. 833 would also design a potential prescription drug importation program in Pennsylvania when the study demonstrates significant cost savings for consumers. “Pharmaceutical companies claim the costs are driven by market forces and due to the high cost of research and development of new medicines, but those and other arguments they pose lack validity,” said Kinkead. “Drug companies want to enjoy a monopoly to discourage competition, to the detriment of our consumers here in Pennsylvania, including many who rely on life-saving medications and are forced to ration or forego medications they simply cannot afford. That’s reprehensible, and we already know of other states already implementing such programs. It’s time we do the same.” "The increasing cost of prescription drugs is driving up health care expenses, which is driving up every Pennsylvanian's cost of living," Pashinski said. "This legislation makes sure Pennsylvania is developing a long-term solution to this problem. We can potentially save the state and consumers millions of dollars by Read more

 

Rep. Kinkead’s Weekly Update - Vaccine prioritization update, keeping college affordable and more!

(Mar 04, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

Yesterday, we received official word from state health and education officials that teachers and other school personnel will be vaccinated, using the Johnson & Johnson single-dose COVID-19 vaccine for PreK-12 teachers and other school staff. Read more

 

Kinkead: Teachers, school employees to be included in vaccine priority Phase 1A

(Mar 02, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

HARRISBURG, March 2 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead issued the following statement regarding a pending announcement that will include teachers and other school personnel in the Phase1A priority designation of the COVID-19 vaccine: “The benefits of in-person education for our children cannot be replaced. The vital roles of our teachers, administrators, and school staff cannot be overstated. It makes complete sense to ensure that they are among the first to be protected from this deadly virus and thus to allow our students to return to in-person learning in the safest way possible -- for our students, for our school staff, and for their families. “Today’s news is definitely a step in the right direction, especially as you consider that many of our educators are expected to work in the classroom setting and aren’t able to work from home in most cases. Late last month, I joined a number of my colleagues who signed a letter to acting state Health Secretary Alison Beam, urging her to add teachers and other high-risk employees to the Phase 1A category for receiving the vaccine. I am gratified that our request was heard and addressed. “My ultimate goal is to continue to work with my colleagues and state health officials to include in Phase 1A other high-risk employees, like our corrections officers, who also work in close congregate workplace settings. They deserve to be safe and healthy as well.” Read more

 

Kinkead, Isaacson: Bill would enable students to easily transfer from community college to PASSHE

(Mar 01, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

HARRISBURG, March 1 -- State Reps. Emily Kinkead and Mary Isaacson have introduced a measure that would make it easier for community college students to transfer to a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education university. Kinkead, D-Allegheny, said more and more students are beginning their higher education careers at a community college due to increasing costs. To help these students obtain their bachelor’s degree in a timely manner, her bill would provide guaranteed PASSHE university admission for community college students who complete an approved associate degree for transfer program. “Each year, roughly 300,000 students begin their higher education journey at a community college before transferring to another university to finish their degree,” Kinkead said. “Our state has made significant strides to help streamline that transfer process, and this legislation would make that process even easier without requiring students to take on crippling financial debt. Community colleges are critical in making higher education accessible and affordable to the most students, especially as we work to address equity in education and economic opportunity. This program has been quite successful in California and I’m confident our state can reap similar rewards, encouraging students to achieve baccalaureate degrees and improve overall access to cost-effective higher education.” “Every college student’s pathway to higher education Read more

 

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: March 1 Update

(Mar 01, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Professional Development Training Grant (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : State aided public libraries and academic libraries. If the library is not fiscally independent, the application must come from the library’s parent entity. Use : Grants to bring virtual training to your organization or for individual library workers to attend virtual professional development training in principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in practices and work functions performed by library staff and experienced by library customers. Funds : Up to $6,000 per organization to bring virtual training to your organization and up to $1,000 for individuals to attend virtual professional development. Application Deadline : Applications accepted until funds are depleted. First weekly award announcement is March 15. More Information : Contact Stacey Mulligan, smulligan@pa.gov or 717-783-5744, Library Development Advisor in the Bureau of Library Development. Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency/Pennsylvania Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs: 2021 SBIRT Projects in Postsecondary Institutions (Funding Source: F ederal Funding ) Who May Apply : Public or nonprofit postsecondary institutions, including two and four-year colleges and universities, that also Read more

 

Rep. Emily Kinkead's weekly update - vaccine updates, foreclosure moratorium extension info and more!

(Feb 25, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

COVID-19 vaccine information updates, details on the foreclosure moratorium extension, heating assistance information and how to sign up for health insurance. Read more

 

Rep. Kinkead’s Weekly Update - budget hearings update, COVID-19 vaccine info and more!

(Feb 18, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

It’s been another busy week at the state Capitol, where budget hearings for the 2021-22 state spending plan continue. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, these hearings provide me with an opportunity to dive deep into our state’s budgetary process and to ensure our investments are wisely spent. Fiscal policies may not be all that exciting, but they’re very important and truly set the tone for what our state’s overall priorities are for the new budget year. Read more

 

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: Feb. 16 Update

(Feb 17, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

STATE GRANT PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Hemp Promotion, Education and Export Promotion Matching Grant Program (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Nonprofit agricultural product promotion and marketing organizations. Use : Projects aimed at increasing sales, export or consumer awareness of Pennsylvania hemp products. Eligible projects may include regional or national promotion. Funds : Reimbursement grants up to 50% of project costs. The minimum matching grant is $1,000. A total of $253,000 will be available statewide. Application Deadline : March 5 More Information : See the February 13, 2021, PA Bulletin at Pennsylvania Bulletin (pacodeandbulletin.gov) . Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: Federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (Funding Source: Federal Fund ing ) Who May Apply : State and local organizations, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders. Use : Projects that will increase visibility and competitiveness of the state’s horticultural specialty crops including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, culinary herbs and spices, medicinal plants and nursery crops. Funds : Requests may be made for a minimum of $20,000, provided the amount reasonably represents the cost of the Read more

 

Rep. Kinkead’s Weekly Update - Happy Valentine's Day, COVID-19 relief and more!

(Feb 11, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

Before I begin this week’s update, I want to wish each of you a happy and safe Valentine’s Day this Sunday. Please be safe and enjoy spending time with your valentine and your loved ones! Read more

 

Rep. Kinkead’s Weekly Update - Budget proposal action, Property Tax/Rent Rebate info and more!

(Feb 04, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

The governor has laid out a clear budget proposal that moves our state in the right direction, notably where it concerns infrastructure, education, and criminal justice. Read more

 

Kinkead: Governor’s proposed budget provides strong plan to move PA forward

(Feb 03, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, issued the following statement regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed 2021-22 budget: “The governor’s budget address laid out a clear path that moves our state forward in the right direction. I was pleased to hear him outline his plans on infrastructure investment, which includes long-overdue expansion of broadband access across Pennsylvania, notably in our unserved and underserved communities, safer roads and bridges, and investments to removing lead and asbestos from many of our aging schools. “Our schools have also suffered for many years due to not being fully funded and the governor’s plan will provide our public schools with the resources they need and deserve. For far too long, homeowners in many school districts have had to bear the brunt of skyrocketing property taxes. Governor Wolf’s plan would ensure our districts receive this vital support and that includes raising the salary for teachers to a $45,000 minimum annual salary. No doubt about it -- our teachers have gone above and beyond, even before the pandemic, and they should be fairly compensated for all they do in providing education and support to our children. “Governor Wolf’s support of the Clean Slate Law was just the beginning as it relates to criminal justice reform in our great commonwealth. I was pleased to hear his plans to reform the bail and probation Read more

 

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: March 31 Update

(Feb 01, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development: Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) (Funding Source: General Fund) Eligibility : 501c3 nonprofits Use : Tax credit program to encourage businesses to invest in projects by eligible nonprofits to serve low-income individuals and improve distressed areas. Projects can include affordable housing, community economic development, community services, education, neighborhood conservation, crime prevention, job training, or charitable food assistance. A special-priority category this year is COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Justice Issues, which can include a variety of COVID related services as well as projects that strive to increase awareness of or improve social justice issues within marginalized communities in Pennsylvania. See guidelines for more information. Funds : State tax credits up to 80%, depending upon the program category, for businesses that donate to the nonprofit. Application Deadline : May 28. Applicants submitting a solicitation plan in lieu of firm commitments must have their contributors confirmed by August 31, 2021. More Information : Click on https://dced.pa.gov/programs/neighborhood-assistance-program-nap/ . Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their projects prior to application with their Regional DCED Office: https://dced.pa.gov/dced-regional-offices/ . Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Read more

 

Agriculture, Youth, and Capital Case Indigent Defense Funding Opportunities for Your District

(Jan 29, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

STATE GRANT PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: Commonwealth Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply: State and local organizations, producer associations, academia, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders. Use: To promote high-priority specialty crops (hemp, hardwoods, honey, hops; also barley, rye, and wheat for distilling, brewing, and malting) through projects like child and adult nutrition education, participation in international standard setting bodies, improving efficiency of distribution systems, good manufacturing and handling practices, research, development of seed varieties, and pest and disease control. Funds: $460,000 will be distributed in total, with 6.2% going to low income rural areas and 3.8% going to low income urban areas. Application Deadline: Concept papers due March 5 More Information: Click on Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (pa.gov) . Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: Agriculture and Youth Organization Grant Program (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply: Agriculture and youth organizations, such as FFA, 4-H, Ag in the Classroom, the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, and vocational education programs. Schools and school districts may also apply on behalf of an agriculture and youth organization. Use: Educational programs, workforce development programs, seminars and field trips, agricultural safety Read more

 

Rep. Emily Kinkead's Weekly Update - unemployment comp updates, help for our schools and more!

(Jan 28, 2021) Rep. Emily Kinkead

Dear Neighbor, I hope you are doing well and staying safe and healthy. I wanted to share some news and information that I hope you will find useful. Read more

 

Kinkead: It’s time to take action to combat climate change
Mar 24, 2021

Kinkead: Governor’s clean energy initiative is the right step for PA
Mar 22, 2021

Rep. Kinkead’s Weekly Update - Protecting people with disabilities, mitigation updates and more!
Mar 18, 2021

Allegheny County rental relief program now accepting applications
Mar 15, 2021

Rabb reintroduces legislation to raise the minimum wage in Pa. and expand it to apply to vulnerable members of the workforce
Mar 12, 2021

Rep. Kinkead's Weekly Update - Pushing for lower drug costs, budget hearing recap and more!
Mar 11, 2021

Kinkead, Pashinski introduce bill to help Pennsylvanians save money on medications
Mar 08, 2021

Rep. Kinkead’s Weekly Update - Vaccine prioritization update, keeping college affordable and more!
Mar 04, 2021

Kinkead: Teachers, school employees to be included in vaccine priority Phase 1A
Mar 02, 2021

Kinkead, Isaacson: Bill would enable students to easily transfer from community college to PASSHE
Mar 01, 2021

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: March 1 Update
Mar 01, 2021

Rep. Emily Kinkead's weekly update - vaccine updates, foreclosure moratorium extension info and more!
Feb 25, 2021

Rep. Kinkead’s Weekly Update - budget hearings update, COVID-19 vaccine info and more!
Feb 18, 2021

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: Feb. 16 Update
Feb 17, 2021

Rep. Kinkead’s Weekly Update - Happy Valentine's Day, COVID-19 relief and more!
Feb 11, 2021

Rep. Kinkead’s Weekly Update - Budget proposal action, Property Tax/Rent Rebate info and more!
Feb 04, 2021

Kinkead: Governor’s proposed budget provides strong plan to move PA forward
Feb 03, 2021

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: March 31 Update
Feb 01, 2021

Agriculture, Youth, and Capital Case Indigent Defense Funding Opportunities for Your District
Jan 29, 2021

Rep. Emily Kinkead's Weekly Update - unemployment comp updates, help for our schools and more!
Jan 28, 2021