3rd District :: Senator Shirley M. Kitchen

HARRISBURG, May 1, 2012 — State Sen. Shirley Kitchen, along with her Democratic colleagues in the Senate and House, today denounced the reinstatement of an asset test on Pennsylvania’s 1.8 million Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.

Under the Corbett administration’s plan, starting today any SNAP recipient under the age of 60 who has more than $5,500 in savings and assets, including cash, stocks, bonds and money in checking and savings accounts, no longer qualifies. Individuals who are over 60 or disabled who have $9,000 in savings and assets no longer qualify. » Read More » Listen

May 8, 2012: Senator Kitchen, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee, speaks at a State Capitol rally to restore budget cuts to programs assisting people with intellectual disabilities. » Listen

Gov. Corbett's food stamp change hurts the working poor like me

Pennlive | By Jocelyn Little

Imagine a grandmother, a retired schoolteacher, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She lived on a pittance from Social Security and $14 a month in food stamps. That’s right, $14 a month.

As my great friend and her daughter, Louanne, told me this true story she said, “It would have cost more” for her children to drive to the grocery store and use those food stamps. Louanne’s mom peacefully died in her sleep, which was a blessing, and in debt, which was a tragedy and a travesty. » Read More

Sen. Kitchen Opens New Satellite Office on Rising Sun Avenue

PHILADELPHIA, April 25, 2012 — State Sen. Shirley Kitchen is opening a satellite office at 6418 Rising Sun Ave. to serve the needs of her 3rd Senatorial District constituents.

A grand opening for the new office will take place on Friday, May 4 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Kitchen: Seniors on SNAP Will Suffer Once Asset Test is Implemented

PHILADELPHIA, April 18, 2012 — As the May 1 state implementation of an asset test on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients looms, state Sen. Shirley Kitchen said senior citizens who rely on the program will suffer.

“Many of our seniors are already on fixed incomes, but they are also instilled with the value of saving a dollar. For many of them, their savings account is their safety net when the unforeseen happens, like increased heating costs or even a hospitalization,” Kitchen said. “The implementation of an asset test will force seniors to choose between their hard-earned savings and putting food on the table. They don’t deserve this treatment from the state government.” » Read More

Need a Photo ID? I Can Help!

Pennsylvania’s new voter ID law will have a direct impact on citizens who exercise their right to vote. Starting this November, every voter will be required to show a valid form of identification in order to vote. If you do not have a valid form of identification, the state will provide one to you at no cost. Do not wait until November to obtain it. Take the steps now to make sure that your vote counts in this year’s General Election and all future elections. My staff and I will gladly help you ensure that you have the proper documentation to obtain a state-issued ID. Please do not hesitate to contact me for assistance.

April 10, 2012: The Corbett Administration is asking private companies to submit bids to run the state Lottery as a way of increasing profits. Senator Stack says the Lottery seems to be doing that on its own, and questions how we want to spend Lottery profits » Listen

Kitchen opposes Roxborough hospital buyer

March 29, 2012 | David Sell, Inquirer Staff Writer

Roxborough Memorial Hospital is now owned by California-based…Pennsylvania State Sen. Shirley M. Kitchen (D., Philadelphia) lashed out at the new owner of Roxborough Memorial Hospital in a letter to the director of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, urging Eli Avila to help stop Prime Healthcare Services from taking over the 140-bed facility.
» Read More

Women leaders pave the way for others

March 13, 2012 by Kierra Bussey

Elaine Mackey discusses what Women’s History Month means to her.

Women’s History Month is celebrated during the month of March and commemorates the achievements that women have made throughout American history. This year’s theme celebrates women’s education and empowerment. Although women now outnumber men in American colleges nationwide, the reversal of the gender gap is a very recent phenomenon, according to womenshistorymonth.gov. Continue Reading →