Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility How I Voted in Harrisburg; Energy Bill Assistance; My Office Can Help You; and more

How I Voted in Harrisburg; Energy Bill Assistance; My Office Can Help You; and more

In this update:

  • 5/12 Mail Ballot Deadline
  • MAMMB Celebrates 10 Years
  • LIHEAP Closes Today
  • Supporting Craft Breweries
  • Capping Rental Application Fees
  • And so much more!
 

Election Day is Almost Here

If you have not yet made a plan to vote in the May 19 primary election, time is running out! For those planning to vote by mail, all mail ballots must be requested by 5 p.m. on May 12. You can track your mail-in ballot here.

 

If you are concerned about your ballot getting to you, call the Allegheny County Elections Division at 412-350-4500 to see if they can give you more information.

Get all voting resources you need at vote.pa.gov or on the county website.

 

Updates from the Capitol

This week at the state Capitol, the House Judiciary Committee advanced my bill that would better protect victims whose sexually explicit images were shared without their consent. Our current law leaves many victims without recourse. My bill would close loopholes and ensure meaningful protection for those who have their privacy and dignity violated. During the voting meeting, I shared testimony from a woman who called my office detailing her horrific experience with this issue.

 

Read about more bills the committee advanced this week here.

Video

The House also adopted my resolution recognizing May 28, 2026 as World Hunger Day in Pennsylvania and raising awareness of food insecurity across the Commonwealth. Food insecurity is the worst it has ever been – even compared to the COVID-19 pandemic. With everything happening in D.C., thousands in the Commonwealth and millions around the world are without access to proper nutrition. We must do what we can to reverse this.

In our final session week before we return to the Capitol for 18 scheduled session days in June, my colleagues and I remained focused on delivering meaningful bills that would improve the lives of all Pennsylvanians. Here are just a few of the many bills we passed this week:

 

H.B. 558?– Limiting rental?application?fees?by allowing landlords to only charge a fee that’s reasonably related to the actual administrative expenses incurred.

 

H.B. 1077 – Improving vision resources for school students by establishing the Commission on Children’s Vision within the state Department of Health to develop a plan to provide vision exams and eyeglasses at little or no cost for all students who need them.

 

H.B. 1098 – Protecting children from internet crimes by expanding on a federal program that has already helped Pennsylvania to investigate and prosecute these crimes.

 

H.B. 2340 – Supporting craft beer makers by expanding the malt beverage tax credit.

 

H.B. 2474 – Requiring mandated reporters of child abuse to report if they suspect the existence of child sexual abuse material, even if it’s done by other minors.  

 

Remember that, in order to become law, these bills must also be passed by the state Senate and approved by the governor. Visit this page to read about the more than 300 bills we have sent to the Senate this session.

 

Celebrating Mid-Atlantic Mothers' Milk Bank

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to join neighbors, supporters, and Senator Wayne Fontana to celebrate the 10th birthday of Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank! For medically vulnerable babies, access to donor milk can be life-saving. MAMMB has spent a decade making sure families in southwest Pennsylvania and across the mid-Atlantic region have that support.

 

I’m excited to see their next chapter unfold as they renovate their new home here in Bellevue.

 

LIHEAP Closes Today!

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will close its application process is TODAY, May 8th. If you need to apply or believe you are eligible, apply now.

 

My office would be happy to assist you in submitting the application. You will need a copy of your latest heating bill and proof of income for all household members to submit with your application.

 

If you have any questions, please reach contact my office

 

My Office is Here to Help You

If you have any questions about this email or need assistance with any state-related matter, my staff and I are here to help you however we can! Reach out at RepKinkead@pahouse.net or call 412-321-5523.

 

Pennsylvania State Capitol

116-B East Wing

Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-5470

District Office

658 Lincoln Ave.

Bellevue, PA 15202
(412) 321-5523

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