In this update:

• Letter from the Treasury?
• Shapiro’s Budget Proposal
• Workplace Safety Award

• 40 Years of The Northside Chronicle
• Improving the Criminal Justice System
• And so much more!

SHAPIRO PRESENTS 2025-26 BUDGET PROPOSAL

On Tuesday, I was in Harrisburg to hear Gov. Josh Shapiro deliver his third annual budget address. I was happy to hear Shapiro’s budget plan includes legalizing adult-use cannabis, increasing funding to help farmers through the State Food Purchase Program and the PA Agricultural Surplus Program, investing in public schools, quality childcare, affordable housing, mental health programs, and more areas where we can use our tax dollars to make life better for Pennsylvanians.

I am looking forward to working with the governor and my colleagues over the next several months to craft a budget that invests in the great people of our Commonwealth. Visit houseappropriations.com to read more specifics about Shapiro’s budget proposal.

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF THE NORTHSIDE CHRONICLE

The Northside Chronicle has officially been operating for 40 years! We’re lucky to have such a wonderful community newspaper. See how they’re celebrating this milestone by exploring a different article from each of the last four decades.

RECRUITING MORE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS

The state Department of Corrections has announced its vacancy rate for corrections officers has dropped below 5%. Just two years ago, the rate was about 10.5%! This is a huge improvement for our criminal justice system. When our prisons are understaffed, it makes life harder for incarcerated individuals and everyone else at the facility. I applaud the successful efforts of the Shapiro-Davis administration to get more corrections officers on the job.

Click here to see job openings at the Department of Corrections and email docjobs@pa.gov to contact the Corrections recruitment team.

CONGRATS REGAN SCHALL

Congratulations to Regan Schall, a North Hills Middle School student who won first place in the state Department of Environmental Protection’s 2025 Student Radon Poster Contest! Check out Regan’s work above and learn more about radon testing here.

AWARD FOR WORKER SAFETY PROGRAMS

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Governor’s Award for Safety Excellence, an annual award that recognizes employers with exceptional safety strategies and injury prevention programs that protect Pennsylvania workers. Employers across the Commonwealth are encouraged to submit applications by Thursday, May 1.

Pennsylvania employers may nominate themselves or may be nominated by a third party.  More information is available here.

HEINZ HISTORY CENTER UP FOR BEST HISTORY MUSEUM

The Heinz History Center is on the ballot in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice poll for best history museum in the country! Use this link to vote.

DOES THE STATE OWE YOU MONEY?

Did you get a letter like the one above in your mailbox? That means the state owes you money! These letters are a result of PA Money Match, a new law that lets the state automatically return certain unclaimed property held by the Treasury. Eligible properties must be valued at no more than $500 and belong to a single owner. People with eligible properties will receive a letter in the mail to confirm their address; then, about 45 days later, they’ll receive a check for their property.

But you don’t need to wait to receive a letter to see if you have unclaimed property; you can search on the Treasury website anytime. Remember you can contact my office if you need help with unclaimed property or any other state-related issues. Reach out at RepKinkead@pahouse.net or call 412-321-5523.