In this update:

• Davis Avenue Bridge in the News
• Register Now for 13th Annual Disability & Mental Health Summit
• More Changes to SNAP

• Nominate a School Employee
• Pittsburgh Minimum Wage Listening Session
• And so much more!

The annual budget hearings with the House Appropriations Committee are now underway. As a member of the committee, these hearings are an important opportunity for me to question heads of our state departments and agencies about how they plan to use our tax dollars in the 2026-27 state budget.

Click here or on the image above to check out my YouTube playlist, where you can hear me questioning these leaders at the Capitol about their budget priorities. You can also see video clips on my social media pages.

This week, we met with the Departments of Community & Economic Development, Agriculture, Insurance, Corrections, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. You can see the full schedule of hearings taking place over the next couple weeks at houseappropriations.com.

Registration is now open for the 13th Annual Disability & Mental Health Summit!

I’m honored to co-host this impactful event alongside Rep. Jessica Benham, bringing together an incredible network of advocates, service providers, and community members.

Go to disabilitysummit.com to register and get all the details.

I am extremely proud to have helped secure hundreds of thousands of dollars in state funding to support the Davis Avenue Bridge reconstruction project. It warms my heart to see so many of our neighbors enjoying the reconnection of Brighton Heights and Riverview Park!

Check out a recent story from KDKA highlighting how a local run club uses the bridge.

Requirements for SNAP are changing again. Applicants and recipients must now provide verification of shelter costs and utility responsibilities when applying or renewing if they are not already on file with the state Department of Human Services. If a recipient household moves to a new residence, they will need to submit new documentation.

Previously, SNAP recipients only needed to report their shelter costs and utility responsibility to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services but did not need to provide supporting documentation.

Failing to provide shelter/utility cost verifications will not cause benefits to close or an application to be rejected. However, SNAP households that do not provide verification of shelter and utility costs will have their SNAP benefits evaluated without the shelter and utility deductions. This could result in a decrease in SNAP benefits.

Visit this website for more information on SNAP benefits in Pennsylvania.

Do you know someone struggling to feed themselves or their family? Check out the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s Northside Walk-In Food Distribution, offering a mix of loose grocery items including produce, shelf-stable foods, and frozen proteins in family-sized portions.

This is a walk-in event, meaning that you will walk through a line of grocery items, and choose which items suit you and your family best. Vegetarian options are available.

Upcoming Distribution Dates:

• Saturday, March 14
• Saturday, April 11
• Saturday, May 9

Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Location: King PreK-8 50 Montgomery Place, Pittsburgh PA 15212

Find more food distributions happening across our region here.

The application period for the Justice Impact Challenge is closing Saturday, February 28 at midnight! This is an incredible chance for formerly incarcerated people to use their lived experiences to make an impact on our community.

Apply now.

Are you interested in participating in a discussion about changes to Pennsylvania’s Minimum Wage Act? You’re invited to attend a listening session in Pittsburgh on March 5 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at 301 Fifth Avenue, Room 3023.

The state Department of Labor & Industry is hosting a series of in-person and virtual listening sessions as they review the current regulations providing minimum wage and overtime protections for over 6 million employees across the Commonwealth.

Many of these rules haven’t been updated in decades. These listening sessions are an opportunity for you to help make sure these regulations are clear, up to date, and reflective of today’s workplaces.

Sessions are free, but you must pre-register here.

Partner4Work’s Learn & Earn Summer Youth Employment Program is designed to provide meaningful work experiences and career exposure to low-income young adults ages 14-23 residing in Allegheny County. Interested participants are encouraged to apply early. Applications open on March 2.

Get all the details here.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education is now accepting nominations for the Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. This federal award honors school employees who provide exemplary service to students in pre-kindergarten through high school.

Each state is invited to nominate up to two individuals, and the U.S. Secretary of Education will select a single winner from each state’s nominations.

To nominate someone for the RISE Award, complete the online Nomination Form by August 31. More information can be found on PDE's website.

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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