Joined by Lieutenant Governor Davis and Allegheny County Executive Innamorato, state legislators unveil new bicameral caucus focused on supporting children and families
Plum, PA – October 14, 2026 − State Senator Nick Pisciottano (D-45, Allegheny) and State Representatives Aerion Abney (D-19, Allegheny) and Jennifer O’Mara (D-165, Delaware) were joined by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, and local officials Wednesday at the Sampson Family YMCA in Plum to announce the formation of the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s new Kids & Families Caucus.
Pisciottano, Abney, and O’Mara will serve as co-chairs of the caucus along with State Senator Amanda Cappelletti (D-17, Delaware/Montgomery). Lieutenant Governor Davis and County Executive Innamorato highlighted the importance of supporting children and families at every level of government, from local communities to county and state leadership.
The new bicameral caucus will bring together lawmakers from the Senate and House of Representatives to coordinate and advocate for policies to support families who are expecting or raising young children. The caucus will serve as a platform to elevate family-focused legislation and strengthen collaboration
“Strong families are essential to Pennsylvania’s economic future,” said Senator Pisciottano. “We want people to be able to afford to start a family here. When the cost of childcare makes it difficult for parents to stay in the workforce, or financial pressures cause couples to put off having children, those challenges have consequences for our economy. We need to make Pennsylvania a place where families have the support they need to grow and thrive.”
The caucus grew out of collaboration among the four legislators, who recognized an opportunity to bring their work on individual policy initiatives together under one umbrella and establish a more coordinated approach. While their experiences raising young children helped inspire the caucus, its mission extends beyond individual households. Policies that make it easier to raise a family strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy and improve its long-term outlook.
“Hardworking families drive this Commonwealth forward. In turn, our state legislature must do everything we can to guarantee parents – and those looking to grow their families – can comfortably and confidently raise the next generation of leaders, innovators, and engaged members of our communities,” said Senator Cappelletti. “As a legislator serving thousands of families across my district, and as a mom raising two young daughters, I’m proud to serve on a caucus that shows Pennsylvania families their lived experiences are being brought to the table in Harrisburg. They deserve nothing short of seeing their priorities be truly heard and turned into sustainable action.”
“As a husband, father, and legislator – I don’t just live a political life, I put my life into my politics,” Representative Abney said. “The Kids and Families Caucus is an opportunity to elevate pragmatic policies that help to improve the quality of life for many Pennsylvanians. I look forward to working with my colleagues to build upon the recent legislative wins giving kids and and families the tools needed to succeed in today’s economy.”
“Right now, parents and families are struggling to make ends meet,” said Representative O’Mara. “We hear every day about their struggles – from affording childcare to rising utility bills. I’m proud to be a part of this caucus so we can collectively advocate for legislation that will support Pennsylvanians as they grow and raise their family.”
The caucus will build on existing legislative efforts to address issues affecting Pennsylvania families, with an emphasis on bringing greater attention to proposals already under consideration and strengthening cooperation among lawmakers to move those initiatives forward.
“Over the past four years, the Shapiro-Davis Administration has made major investments to support working families with young children,” said Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis. “There is so much more to be done to support kids and families in Pennsylvania, and that’s why this caucus is so important. This is just the beginning.”
“Every family deserves the time and support to care for a new baby without having to choose between their health and their paycheck,” said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. “At Allegheny County, we’re working to make that a reality through our paid parental leave initiative, because supporting parents and babies is both a public health priority and an investment in our communities. I’m grateful to Senator Pisciottano and his colleagues for launching the Kids and Families Caucus and bringing renewed focus to the policies Pennsylvania families need, from paid leave and affordable childcare to maternal health and family affordability. By working together across all levels of government, we can build a Commonwealth where working families have more stability, more opportunities, and the support they need to thrive.”
Following the announcement, officials toured the Sampson Family YMCA’s childcare facilities to highlight the importance of accessible care and the role of state support in strengthening these services across Pennsylvania.
The Kids & Families Caucus will continue working with lawmakers, community organizations, and stakeholders to identify legislative priorities and advance policies that support children, parents, and families.
