Legislation to Help Landslide Victims Read more
State Reps. Dan Frankel and Emily Kinkead introduced legislation to lower costs for prescription drugs and prevent surprise billing for “facility fees” to keep health care affordable and accessible for Pennsylvanians Read more
HARRISBURG, July 12 -- State Representatives Emily Kinkead and Eddie Day Pashinski today hosted a public hearing to discuss the need for drastic reforms to drive down the costs of prescription drugs for the well-being of Pennsylvanians who rely on medications for an improved quality of life. The hearing, a meeting of the Policy Committee’s Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People, included testimony on how prescription drug pricing is calculated, some of the cost drivers and legislative action needed to regulate pricing. Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, chair of the subcommittee, and legislators from across the state joined both in person and online for the discussion. Sean Zmenkowski, a constituent services advisor for Rep. Kinkead, shared his experience as a type one diabetic reliant on insulin to survive and the career choices he has had to make in order to maintain access to life-sustaining medication. “Far too many Pennsylvanians have to make painful choices regarding life-saving medications – going without or rationing their medicine – either option is inexcusable,” said state Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny. “I remain committed to working with my colleagues to come up with solutions, including a prescription drug importation program, to ensure the prescription drugs our residents need are accessible and affordable. It’s clear we need long-term solutions to help our residents, and we can make it happen.” Read more
On Monday, July 12 at 1 PM, please join Rep. Eddie Pashinski and me for a special virtual policy hearing about prescription drug prices and how we’re working to reduce the costs of the medications you need. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 8 – The runaway costs of prescription medication will be the focus of a virtual hearing of the Subcommittee on Progressive Policies for Working People hosted by state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, Emily Kinkead and Eddie Day Pashinski. The hearing will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, July 12. The media and public are invited to watch online at www.pahouse.com/policy or on the committee’s Facebook page--@PADemPolicy. Media inquiries may be submitted via email to policy@pahouse.net . Kinkead, D-Allegheny, and Pashinski, D-Luzerne, will be joined by Subcommittee Chair Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee to discuss innovative approaches to reducing drug costs, providing pathways to low-cost prescriptions, and how drug costs factor into Pennsylvania’s healthcare framework. Information about this and other House Democratic Policy Committee hearings can be found at www.pahouse.com/policycommittee . Read more
PITTSBURGH, July 7 – $266,736 in state transportation funds have been awarded to the city of Pittsburgh to expand the city’s fiber optic network to connect traffic signals to its Traffic Management Center, state Rep. Emily Kinkead announced today. Kinkead, D-Pittsburgh, said the grant comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Green Light-Go program. The grants reimburse municipalities for updates to improve traffic signal efficiency and operation. The funds can be used for upgrades and improvements such as light-emitting diode technology installation, traffic signal retiming, developing special event plans and monitoring traffic signals, as well as upgrading traffic signals to the latest technologies. “This investment is vital, not just for traffic flow, but to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians across our city,” Kinkead said. “Upgrades like these will allow Pittsburgh to have the most up-to-date technology to relieve congestion and improve traffic flow.” This grant is part of a package of more than $15.6 million awarded across Pennsylvania for signal upgrades in 50 municipalities under the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Green Light-Go program. Read more
From the beginning of the budget process, it was crystal clear we had serious problems to solve, and we still do. People are continuing to struggle and suffer. All told, we had $10 billion dollars we could have spent to help them get back on their feet and recover from the pandemic.Unfortunately, instead of enacting a moral and compassionate budget that spent the lion’s share of these funds to help the people of Pennsylvania, Republicans put together a callous budget with peanuts to help our struggling constituents. Read more
From support for local businesses to job training, there are a number of grant funding opportunities in Pennsylvania. Here's a look at what's available right now: STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection: Driving PA Forward Level 2 EV Charging Rebate Program (Funding Source: State Mitigation Trust - Volkswagen Emissions Settlement) Who May Apply : Business, charitable organizations, incorporated nonprofits, local government entities, school districts, and other entities. Use : Rebates for Level 2 EV charging equipment for public use at government owned property, public use at non-government owned property, non-public use at work places, non-public use at multi-unit dwellings. Funds : Maximum rebates of $4,000 per plug for full public access and networked charging projects, $3,500 per plug for multi-unit dwelling projects and $3,000 per plug for all other eligible projects, including workplace charging. Application Deadline : First come, first-served. More Information : Click on https://gis.dep.pa.gov/drivingpaforward/ . Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Children’s Trust Fund (Funding Source: Children’s Trust Fund) Who May Apply : Any organization operating in Pennsylvania that provides direct services and meets the criteria in this Request for Applications (“RFA”) is eligible to apply. Use : To support community-based child abuse and neglect Read more
HARRISBURG, June 30 - State Rep. Emily Kinkead today announced a total of $109,503 in grants have been awarded to local fire and emergency medical services companies. Kinkead , D-Allegheny, said the funding originates from the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program, which is overseen by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. This annual program provides funding for volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services , and rescue squads. “ My dad served the City of Pittsburgh as a paramedic and so our local fire and EMS companies will always have a special place in my heart. Our first responders run in when everyone else runs out and that has never been more obvious than during the COVID-19 pandemic. But this pandemic has taken a serious toll on the very people who serve as our first line of defense ,” said Kinkead. “ These funds are a small but important investment to ensure that they can continue to answer the call.” The grants awarded are as follows: City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire (EMS): $8,993. City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire: $14,999. Fairview Volunteer Fire Department: $12,054. Keating Fire Company : $12,054. Quaill District Firemen’s Association: $12,054. Ross West View EMS : $8,993. Ross West View Fire Company : $15,000. West View Volunteer Fire Department Company #1 : Read more
HARRISBURG, June 25 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, has issued the following statement regarding the 2021-22 state budget : “It’s clear we have very serious problems in our state to solve. People are struggling and suffering, and they don’t need to be because we have $10 billion dollars we could have spent to help them get back on their feet and recover from the pandemic. “Instead of putting together a moral and compassionate budget that spends the lion’s share of these funds to help the people of Pennsylvania, the Republicans have done nothing but put together a callous budget with peanuts to help our struggling constituents. “Instead of making a $10 billion investment in our communities to make real, generational change in this commonwealth, the Republicans are pretending that we are poor and must save for a “rainy day” despite the fact it has been downpouring for more than a year. They want to use these funds for their own pet projects without the transparency and oversight provided through the formal budget process, instead of investing in our small businesses, our infrastructure, our workers -- instead of investing in the people of Pennsylvania. “This heartless budget is full of missed opportunities -- 10 billion of them. Simply, it’s repugnant that we had an unprecedented opportunity to help our residents in need and, Read more
I’ve been in Harrisburg this week, and my frustration keeps building. The distractions need to stop – it’s time we pass a budget that includes an additional $10 billion in state and federal funds to allow us to make wise investments to help people get back on their feet, fully fund our schools, and so much more. Read more
I was proud to stand as an ally with my LGBTQIA+ colleagues on behalf of all LGBTQIA+ Pennsylvanians to introduce, yet again, the Pennsylvania Fairness Act.This act would simply ensure that the basic rights we take for granted are secured for every person in Pennsylvania, no matter how they identify or who they love. This legislation is long overdue, but I will fight for it every day until it is passed. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 10 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead announced $1.53 million in funding to create and provide affordable housing and other supports to Allegheny County in need. Kinkead, D-Allegheny, said eight organizations will receive the funds, which are administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund. Funding for the grants is provided through Marcellus Shale Impact Fees and Realty Transfer Taxes. “Everyone deserves a place they can call home and providing the vital support to our residents who are struggling is the right thing to do,” said Kinkead. “These funds can be extremely helpful to our most vulnerable residents, especially as they attempt to recover from the financial impacts of the pandemic.” Kinkead said the projects funded include: Allegheny County Department of Human Services – Mobility Counseling Program –$350,000. Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh – Home Accessibility Program for Independence – $300,000. Catapult Greater Pittsburgh Inc. – Decreasing Racial and Economic Disparity Through Homeownership and Asset Building Project – $200,000. North Hills Affordable Housing – HEARTH: 25 years of changing loves – $200,000. Community Human Services Corp. – Read more
Late last week, I was joined by 10 of my colleagues in sending a letter condemning Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala’s decision to instruct his staff to not offer plea deals to Milton Raiford, a Black attorney who spoke out against racism in the criminal justice system. We demanded that he rescind that policy, apologize, and commit to an independent investigation of his office. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 9 – The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency today approved more than $2.7 million in funds to support and enhance adult probation and parole services in Allegheny County, state Rep. Emily Kinkead announced. Kinkead, D-Allegheny, said the funds will be used for the county’s electronic monitoring program in a continuing effort to reduce its jail population, while also providing effective supervision of eligible offenders. In addition, funding will also be used to continue its drug and alcohol treatment program and support its adult parole services. “Rather than warehousing people in the Allegheny County Jail, this funding will allow individuals under probation services to rehabilitate in the community,” Kinkead said. “Coupled with effective drug and alcohol treatment programs, this can help reduce recidivism rates and help people build back their lives as they work to reintegrate into society.” PCCD is the state’s lead agency for criminal justice policy issues, providing support services to law enforcement agencies, victims of crime and communities. More information on PCCD can be found at the following site: www.pccd.pa.gov . Read more
Zappala letter Kinkead June 2021 Read more
In response to the concerns many of you have expressed about increasing violence in our neighborhoods, I want to personally invite you to a special virtual forum on Thursday, June 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. You’ll hear from community leaders (police, public safety advocates, and my fellow elected officials) about what we are doing now, what we can continue to do, and what we should begin to do to make our Northside neighborhoods safer places for everyone. Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Commonwealth Financing Authority: Unserved High-Speed Broadband Funding Program ( Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Any nongovernmental entity with the technical, managerial, and financial expertise to design, build and operate a high-speed broadband service infrastructure within Pennsylvania. Use : Acquisition, construction, equipment, and site preparation costs associated with the deployment of high-speed broadband infrastructure to unserved areas, which are geographic areas in which households or businesses do not have access to at least 25 megabits per second downstream speeds and 3 megabits per second upstream speeds. Funds : Grants up to $1 million or 75% of the total project costs, whichever is less. Applicant must commit its own private capital to fund at least 25% of the total project cost. Funding from other federal, state or local government grants or other subsidies can be used to finance the project but will not be considered to be part of the private capital requirement. Application Deadline : September 24 More Information : Click on https://dced.pa.gov/programs/unserved-high-speed-broadband-funding-program-uhsb/ . OTHER PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful/The GIANT Company: 2021 Healing the Planet Grant Program ( Funding Source: Private Funds) Read more
This week, the Commonwealth Financing Authority awarded borough of Bellevue a $61,630 grant to demolish and rehabilitate three vacant structures. These properties, which were previously deemed as uninhabitable by borough officials, will be torn down and then eligible for reuse as a side yard, to enlarge an existing yard, or for parking through the county’s Vacant Property Recovery Program. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 25 – The Commonwealth Financing Authority has awarded the borough of Bellevue a $61,630 grant to demolish and rehabilitate three vacant structures, state Rep. Emily Kinkead announced today. “These properties, which were previously deemed as uninhabitable by borough officials, will be torn down and then eligible for reuse as a side yard, to enlarge an existing yard, or for parking through the county’s Vacant Property Recovery Program,” Kinkead said. “Addressing issues of blight and freeing uninhabitable properties up for alternative uses improves the overall quality of life in our communities, now and in the years to come. I am excited to see Bellevue get funds to continue to revitalize this beautiful borough.” The Commonwealth Financing Authority provides funding for a multitude of projects that help communities succeed, including those focused on development, water quality, energy infrastructure and more. More information can be found at the following link: https://dced.pa.gov/programs-funding/commonwealth-financing-authority-cfa/ . Read more
ERIE, May 20 – Positive and negative impacts of the proposed consolidation of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education were vetted at today’s House Democratic Policy Committee virtual hearing. The hearing, hosted by committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, and state Reps. Peter Schweyer and Emily Kinkead, included testimony from educators, facility management, PASSHE leadership and students. The committee heard testimony from Dr. Sam Claster, Sociology Department Chair, Edinboro University; Lydia Laythe, Washington Township Councilperson in Erie; and Mary Jo Campbell, Professor Emeritus, Edinboro University; who all cautioned that moving forward without hearing from those directly involved in educating students and keeping schools in operation and how consolidation without addressing investment and system strains may not have the desired intention. “The bottom line is Pennsylvania ranks 48th in investment in higher education. If we want to attract and retain Pennsylvania students and prepare them for a successful future, we must address the system’s shortcomings and invest in students so we can build a stronger higher education system that positions Pennsylvania with a vibrant workforce,” explained Bizzarro. “We do need to take our time and take an approach that can have positive, longstanding impacts on our commonwealth.” Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Chancellor Dr. Daniel Greenstein and Clarion Read more
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658 Lincoln AveBellevue, PA 15202-3420
P*: (412) 321-5523
Rep. Emily Kinkead's office is accessed behind H&R Block. Turn down Florence Ave. from Lincoln Ave. and make the first left into the parking lot.
116 B East WingHarrisburg, PA 17120-2020
P*: (717) 787-5470