Hogan Welcomes Kinkead to Bucks County for Bipartisan Legislative Exchange

October 20, 2026

HARRISBURG –Rep. Joe Hogan (R-Bucks), who represents the 142nd Legislative District, recently welcomed Rep. Emily Kinkead (D-Allegheny), who represents the 20th Legislative District, to Bucks County for a bipartisan legislative exchange designed to foster collaboration, build relationships and explore policy solutions across party lines.

The visit was part of the Pennsylvania Legislative Exchange (PLE), a program recently announced by the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics (IOP) to bring together Pennsylvania General Assembly members from opposing parties. The program pairs lawmakers from opposing parties and places a special emphasis on introducing them to districts with different geographic, economic, cultural, political and demographic characteristics.

“This program is meant to open the door and invite problem-solving discussions while first helping people get to know each other,” said Samanthan Balbier, the director of the IOP and the renowned Elsie Hillman Civic Forum.

The PLE is the third state legislative exchange program of its kind in the United States, following the establishment of similar initiatives in Michigan and Minnesota in 2025. The programs’ staffing includes individuals who helped establish the Bipartisan Policy Center’s American Congressional Exchange, which has operated in Washington, D.C., since 2018.

“Welcoming Rep. Kinkead to Bucks County gave us an opportunity to showcase the people and organizations that make our community strong, while also learning from each other’s experiences and perspectives,” said Hogan.

During the visit, the representatives traveled throughout the 142nd District.

The itinerary included the following stops:
• Woods System of Care: The legislators kicked off construction of the organization’s 16-bed inpatient psychiatric facility and learned more about its crucial work in health and human services arena.
• Conwell-Egan Catholic High School: The legislators then met with students of Conwell-Egan Catholic —where Hogan is an alum—and participated in an education town hall over lunch.
• SPS Technologies: The legislators toured the facility and met with company leadership to discuss the aerospace industry and business climate issues it faces.
• Styers Farm: The visit highlighted the role of agriculture, tourism and small businesses in Bucks County’s economy.
• Levittown Fire Company #2: The legislators discussed the challenges facing volunteer fire companies and explored issues related to skills games.
• PARX Casino: Kinkead toured the facility with casino leadership before joining Hogan and others for dinner to continue discussions about gaming policy and its economic impact.

“Every district has its own strengths and challenges,” Hogan said. “When we take the time to understand those differences, we are better equipped to find common ground and deliver results for the entire Commonwealth.”

Representative Joe Hogan
142nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Novalea Eckenroad
717-772-3161
neckenroad@pahousegop.com
RepWeaknecht.com