Email Update: February 13, 2025

Rep. Emily Kinkead February 13, 2025 | 2:53 PM

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In this update:

LGBTQIA+ Youth Listening Session
Grants Awarded to Local Fire and EMS Companies
Annual Mail Voting

New Grant Opportunities
Creating a Landslide Insurance Program
And so much more!

CLOSED FOR PRESIDENTS’ DAY

Please note that my office will be closed on Monday, Feb. 17 in observance of Presidents’ Day. On Presidents’ Day, we honor leaders who upheld democracy, not those who undermine it. History will remember who fought for the people—and who fought for themselves.

INVESTING IN OUR FIRST RESPONDERS

I'm excited to announce over $244,000 has been awarded to our local fire and EMS companies! These dollars will ensure they have better equipment, safer working conditions, and ultimately help them deliver a stronger emergency response. I’m proud to support our local first responders by advocating for state investments like these.

If you’re interested in learning more about state grant opportunities, check out my website to see a list of grant programs currently accepting applications. My team and I are here to help you with the grant application process and can write a letter of support – contact my office for assistance.

PROTECTING HOMEOWNERS FROM LANDSLIDES

Western Pennsylvania’s hills and valleys make our region beautiful, but they also make us uniquely vulnerable to landslides. If you’ve lived here for even just a few years, you already know that landslides are a recurring threat to many homes, businesses, and roads. Yet, property owners in Pennsylvania currently have no option to purchase landslide insurance. This gap leaves many families and business owners vulnerable to financial ruin when a landslide occurs.

This legislative session, for the third time, I will be introducing legislation with Rep. Valerie Gaydos to create a landslide insurance program through the state, providing affordable coverage to homeowners and businesses who own property in landslide-prone areas like those throughout our region. By addressing this long-ignored risk, we can finally give Pennsylvanians the ability to protect the lives they’ve worked so hard to build from disastrous landslides.

VIRTUAL LISTENING SESSION FOR LGBTQIA+ YOUTH

Pennsylvania LGBTQIA+ youth have an opportunity to share their voices with Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office.

The Governor’s Advisory Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs is hosting virtual LGBTQIA+ Youth Listening Sessions on Tuesday, March 11, and Wednesday, March 19, from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. via Zoom to discuss expanding protections for LGBTQIA+ youth. Middle and high school students across the Commonwealth are invited to participate.

BACKYARD BIRD COUNT

Want to participate in a citizen science project? The Pittsburgh Park Rangers are inviting local birders to Riverview Park to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count. This is a great way to help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world!

Go to tinyurl.com/RiverviewRangers to get more details and participate.

BECOME A PERMANENT MAIL BALLOT VOTER

Counties have begun mailing applications to Pennsylvanians on the annual mail voter list. Complete and return the application if you want to receive mail ballots for every election in which you are eligible to vote in 2025.

Learn more about how to become an annual mail voter here.

Remember, if you have any questions 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.