Email Update: April 4, 2025

Rep. Emily Kinkead April 4, 2025 | 4:01 PM

In this update:

Shred with Me on 4/26
Trump is Attacking Our Rights
Fire Company Consolidation

Scholarships Closing Soon
Apply for Cash Back on Rent or Property Taxes
And so much more!

Shred Documents for Free with Me

Join me and state Sen. Lindsey Williams for a free document shredding event from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 26 at the Ross Township Department of Public Works!

Don’t miss this opportunity to destroy documents containing sensitive data and gain a greener sense of security during Earth Week—contact my office with any questions.

Calling on Lawyers to Condemn the Administration’s Attacks on the Legal Profession

This week, I joined eleven other lawyer-legislators in the PA House in publishing an open letter calling for all lawyers to condemn the Trump Administration’s active efforts to undermine the legal profession and our courts.

As a lawyer, I refuse to remain silent as rights to due process, a fair trial, and legal representation are being violated. Everyone within our borders must be afforded these protections and the right to counsel is the most essential way to protect our rights. We cannot allow anyone to threaten lawyers in an effort to deter them from providing representation to people against the government.

Read the full letter here.

Fire Company Consolidation in Allegheny County

Between staffing shortages, rising costs, and increasing service demands, our first responder companies are struggling.

Yesterday, I co-hosted a joint House/Senate Policy Hearing in Baldwin exploring the effects of consolidating local fire companies. I want to thank Ross Township Commissioner Dan DeMarco and all the fire professionals from the Berkley Hills and West View volunteer fire companies for sharing their experiences and perspectives on consolidation.

Talking with these folks about what has worked and what has not worked is one of the best things we can to do make a plan that ensures emergency services in every corner of the Commonwealth have adequate resources to keep Pennsylvanians safe.

Click here to watch the full hearing.

Fighting Back Against Federal Cuts to Anti-Hunger Programs

I was proud to join Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and state Dept. of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank this week for a roundtable discussion on how proposed federal cuts to national anti-hunger programs like the Local Food Purchase Assistance program and the Emergency Food Assistance Program not only devastate food banks (and the families who rely on them)—but also retailers and farmers.

No matter what happens at the federal level, we’ll continue doing everything in our power at the state level to fight food insecurity in our Commonwealth.

I’m an Organ Donor—Are You?

April is Donate Life Month! I’m proud to be organ donor and encourage you to celebrate this month with me by registering to become an organ, tissue, and cornea donor at donatelifepa.org/register.

Selected for the Youth Justice Fellows Program

I am proud to announce my colleague Rep. Liz Hanbidge and I have been selected for the National Conference of State Legislatures 2025 cohort of the Youth Justice Fellows Program!

I am eager to participate in this prestigious fellowship as I work with my colleagues on the #CarePackage legislation to implement the 2021 recommendations of the bipartisan Juvenile Justice Task Force to reform the juvenile justice system in Pennsylvania. Among others, that package of legislation includes my bills to eliminate fines and limit the use of solitary confinement for youth.

Connecting with legislators and leading experts from around the country who are working to create a better justice system for juveniles in their own communities is a unique opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of what strategies have worked in other states and implement them here.

Read more about the fellowship.

Litter Cleanup with Local Scouts

If you can’t make it to my shredding event happening on April 26, consider joining Cub Scout Pack 257 for an Earth Day Litter Cleanup!

Putt n’ Pour on April 27

There’s a Putt n’ Pour event happening to support Bellevue Forward on Sunday, April 27! This unique mini-golf and craft beer experience is a fun and exciting way to show our local businesses some love.

Get more information here.

Scholarship Opportunities

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.

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 Higher 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.

Graduating seniors living in Northgate School District that are continuing their education can apply for a $1,500 scholarship from Bona Fide Bellevue! Applications are due May 2.

Apply for Money Back on Rent or Property Taxes

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is currently accepting applications! The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians 65 or older; widows and widowers 50 or older; and people with disabilities 18 or older.

Applications can be filed online at mypath.pa.gov and more information is available here.

If you have questions or need assistance with PTRR or any state-related issues, my staff and I are here to help! Reach out at RepKinkead@pahouse.net or call 412-321-5523.