Email Update: February 28, 2025

Rep. Emily Kinkead February 28, 2025 | 2:27 PM

In this update:

Free Public Transit for Seniors
Employers Stealing From Employees
New Scholarships Available

My Statement on SNAP Cuts
$460K to Repair Elizabeth Ave.
And so much more!

MY LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS WAGE THEFT

Between hosting a hearing with the PA House Majority Policy Committee and participating in more than a dozen budget hearings with the Appropriations Committee, I’ve been staying busy in Harrisburg!

On Wednesday, I brought together testifiers and other lawmakers to talk about wage theft, which is responsible for roughly three times as much economic loss as all other types of theft combined. If you steal from your employer, you might end up in prison. If they steal from you, there are almost no consequences. With my package of bills to address wage theft, we're going to do something about it.

Watch the full hearing on wage theft here.

STATE BUDGET HEARINGS CONTINUE

In the past two weeks, the PA House Appropriations Committee has held 17 two-hour hearings at our state Capitol with different state departments and agencies about how they plan to use our tax dollars in the state budget. I’m proud to serve on the Appropriations Committee and excited to be advocating for a state budget that invests in the people of the 20th Legislative District—Ross Township, Avalon, Bellevue, and West View Boroughs, and parts of Pittsburgh—and creates better opportunities for all Pennsylvanians!

Go to houseappropriations.com for the latest budget details and see our upcoming hearing schedule.

HOLDING OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL ACCOUNTABLE

“Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, was the first to raise the big issue of late: the fact that Sunday hasn’t joined other states in suing President Donald Trump over his withholding of federal funds, which shorted Pennsylvania billions of dollars.”

During Wednesday’s budget hearings, I had an exchange with state Attorney General Dave Sunday, who has repeatedly failed to stand up for Pennsylvanians as the People’s Lawyer and fight back against unconstitutional funding freezes and cuts proposed by the Trump Administration. In fact, Gov. Josh Shapiro had to step in and file a lawsuit for Pennsylvania himself before any federal funding was restored to our Commonwealth. I was pleased to see Shapiro’s swift action and I will continue holding our Attorney General accountable when he fails to do his job.

RESPONDING TO SNAP CUTS IN THE FEDERAL BUDGET

While we’ve been making great progress on the state budget, I was devastated to see cuts to essential programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and education funding in the federal budget that passed the U.S. House this week. My colleagues and I will continue doing everything in our power at the state level to preserve funding for these programs that are a lifeline to millions of Pennsylvanians.

Click here to read my full statement about the impact the proposed $230 billion cut to SNAP would have on our state residents.

“Pittsburgh-area Democrat Emily Kinkead asked state Education Department Secretary Carrie Rowe what the state would do if Congress — on Trump’s orders — axes the federal Department of Education.”

During our budget hearings with the state Department of Education, I questioned Secretary Carrie Rowe about the possibly catastrophic impact of education funding cuts and the proposed dissolution of the federal Department of Education, which are starting to become real in the proposed federal budget. While its difficult to grasp how any federal administration could even think about ending an institution as necessary as the Department of Education, our state government must start preparing to respond to that reality.

NEW STATE FUNDING TO REPAIR ELIZABETH AVENUE

I’m excited to announce that nearly $460,000 was awarded this week to repair sidewalks, curbs, and a road in Avalon Borough! I’m proud to have worked with state Sen. Wayne Fontana to secure this investment making roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers in our community.

Read more about the award here.

TWO SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Applications are currently being accepted for the PA House of Representatives Scholarship Program, which is available to graduating Pennsylvania high school seniors who meet certain eligibility requirements. Awards consist of the value of one semester of tuition at the State System of High Education for each of four years. To learn more, scan the QR code above, visit this page, or contact Cindy Sullivan at (717) 236-5040, ext. 136, or csullivan@tfec.org. The deadline to apply is April 15.

The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Foundation is encouraging students to apply for the James R. Roebuck Scholarship, which is designed to help students of color reach their full potential. This $1,500 scholarship is for tuition, fees, books, or school-related supplies and equipment. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 5.

Visit this page for more information and to apply.

FREE PUBLIC TRANSIT FOR SENIORS AGE 65+

Remember that when I’m in Harrisburg, my staff at my district office in Bellevue is still here to help you with any state-related issues. One of the many things we handle is helping people 65 or older in obtaining free Senior Citizen ConnectCards, which allow seniors to ride public transit vehicles for free here in Allegheny County and across the Commonwealth. ConnectCards expire every four years, so if you already have one, you may need to reapply.

To get a ConnectCard, simply bring a valid form of ID with your birthdate on it down to my office at 658 Lincoln Ave. in Bellevue and my staff will take care of the rest. Reach out at RepKinkead@pahouse.net or call 412-321-5523 with any questions.