PITTSBURGH, PA – January 24, 2023 − Today, State Senator Jay Costa today expressed his support for Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s call for an assessment of tax-exempt organizations compliance with PA’s Purely Public Charity Law Currently, about a third of Pittsburgh real estate is exempt from property taxes.
“I am pleased to lend my support to Mayor Gainey as his administration begins this assessment of Pittsburgh’s tax-exempt organizations,” said Senator Costa. ”The City of Pittsburgh relies on property taxes to deliver crucial public services to everyone who calls the Steel City home, from road maintenance to trash pickups to social services and beyond. This especially applies to our public schools, who rely heavily on property taxes to deliver excellent educations and beautiful childhoods to every young person in our city.
“It’s crucial that every public charity demonstrate that it’s holding up its end of the bargain and meeting its charitable obligations to our friends and neighbors. I look forward to reviewing the results of this assessment and will be in close contact with the Mayor’s team as we move forward.”
###
Pittsburgh – February 12, 2018 − After 14 years of financial recovery, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and local officials today signed Pittsburgh’s official release from this status.
“This has been a long road for the City, but I commend the Mayor, City Council, and the members of this community that spearheaded the efforts that led to recovery,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. “Many cities fall into Act 47 status and never meet the conditions of recovery, but that’s not Pittsburgh’s story. This is a strong city that continually fights its way back from hardship; from the loss of the steel industry to its recent financial distress. Pittsburgh has never given up, and today’s news proves it again.”
Act 47 status is bestowed on cities facing incredible financial and structural burdens, and allows the state to offer assistance through the recovery process. A recovery coordinator is assigned, and a plan is set that dictates terms of recovery. Once those terms are met, DCED and the legislature begin the dissolution process.
DCED has determined that Pittsburgh met its conditions, outlined here:
-
- Operational deficits were eliminated as evidenced by audited financial statements. The City has achieved operating surpluses nine out of the last twelve years.
- Debt has been retired, reduced, or reissued in a manner that has adequately refinanced all outstanding principle and interest.
- Pittsburgh has negotiated and resolved all claims or judgements that would have placed the municipality imminent jeopardy of default.
- Reasonably projected revenues of the municipality are sufficient to fund ongoing necessary expenditures, including pensions and debt obligations.
“The Administration has taken the steps that it needs to for Pittsburgh’s recovery to be official, and I have introduced Senate Bill 1047 which would dissolve the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority,” said Senator Costa. “The ICA is no longer needed, and must be removed by legislative action; I’m proud to introduce the bill and be a part of this exciting final step in Pittsburgh’s recovery.”
###
Download Senate Bill 1047 →
Harrisburg – June 13, 2017 – Committed to positioning Pennsylvania as a leader in the battle against global climate change, Sens. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) and Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia/Delaware), along with Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto today outlined legislation to support the continuation of the Obama Clean Power Plan.
“The recent actions of President Trump to dismiss the realities of climate change and abandon the Paris climate accord will be felt from Pennsylvania to Paris,” Costa said. “We have a moral and ethical responsibility as elected officials to do the right thing, at the right time for the right reasons.
“Ensuring a healthy future for our children IS the right reason — and the time is now.”
Legislation being introduced by Costa, Fontana and Williams would ensure that Pennsylvania continue to fulfill its responsibility in fighting global climate change, meet commitments under the Paris climate accord and attains the goals set forth in the Obama Clean Power Plan.
Under the Clean Power Plan, Pennsylvania was required to reduce its emissions by 29 million tons, or 24 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. Pennsylvania is well-positioned to meet this target given its current transition from coal generation and growing investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The legislation would require the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to revisit the plan it was pursuing just months ago for submission to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Rather than submit the plan to the EPA, the bill would require the DEP to submit it to the General Assembly for final approval and subsequent implementation statewide.
Fontana again called on the president to reconsider his decision and the impact it will have for generations to come, after using Pittsburgh as an example in his announcement to leave the Paris accord.
“Again, I urge President Trump to visit Pittsburgh and meet with city and business leaders to get a better understanding of our city’s transformation from a gritty industrial town to a thriving and economically diverse metropolis,” Fontana said. “They can also explain to him how the Paris Agreement would strengthen Pittsburgh, our region and our country.”
Williams said that the president’s decision to leave the Paris agreement will have significant local impact.
“The Paris climate accord should not be a partisan issue and removing the United States from the agreement was a mistake,” Williams said. “The impact of this decision has significant local impact. Children in the city and suburbs, those with asthma and other breathing disorders, low income families and others will be deeply affected because of the change in the climate.
“We need a singular voice and vision on climate change because it is real and it has such a wide reach. Given the decision on the federal level, Pennsylvania lawmakers have little choice but to move forward on their own and fix the problem.”
Following the president’s decision, mayors from across the nation, including Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto joined forces and redoubled their collective efforts to combat climate change.
“Pittsburgh — and Pennsylvania — need to keep being leaders in fighting climate change, despite poor decision-making by the President. I want to thank Senators Costa, Fontana and Williams for their commitment to our planet, and to future generations of Pennsylvanians.”
-30-
PITTSBURGH – Sen. Costa was honored to attend the groundbreaking ceremony as United Cerebral Palsy Community Living and Support Services (UCP/CLASS) officially kicked off the renovation of the former Center for Creative Play building on South Braddock Avenue.
UCP/CLASS purchased the property with plans to renovate the 30,000-square-foot office building to accommodate its staff.
This year, UCP/CLASS is also marking its 60th anniversary of providing support to those with disabilities. United Cerebral Palsy Community Living and Support Services has grown over the years from a grass roots organization to the 14th largest Pittsburgh-area social service non-profit. Currently, this organization serves thousands of individuals and families.
