News Releases
House and Senate Democrats Fight to Protect Medicaid and SNAP Funding, Call on Republicans to Break Silence
HARRISBURG, PA − June 2, 2025 − On Monday, June 2, Senate and House Democrats banded together for a rally in the Capitol to raise awareness of the catastrophic impacts Trump’s budget proposal would have on Pennsylvania’s families. Together, Senators and Representatives called on their Republican colleagues to join them in defending access to care, medication, and healthy food that Trump and Musk’s DOGE cuts threaten to rip away.
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes Encourage PA Senate Republicans to Speak Up as “Big Beautiful Bill” Clears US House of Representatives
HARRISBURG, PA – May 22, 2025 − This morning, Republicans in the US House of Representatives passed a budget bill that will result in 15 million Americans losing their health insurance and 3 million American families losing access to healthy food. Senate Democratic...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Announces Two Solar for Schools Grant Recipients in the 43rd Senatorial District
PITTSBURGH, PA – May 20, 2025 − Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $376,995 in Solar for Schools Grant money benefiting the 43rd senatorial district. “Today’s Solar for Schools grant announcement is cause for much celebration,” said Senator Costa. “I am delighted that...
Senate Democrats Jay Costa, Nick Pisciottano Celebrate Passage of EDGE Tax Credit in PA House, Call for Swift Movement in the Senate
PITTSBURGH, PA – May 14, 2025 – Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 500, a critical part of Governor Shapiro’s Lightning Plan which updates the Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) Tax Credit Program to bring...
Senator Costa Participates in Intergovernmental Roundtable on Federal Threats to Health Insurance
Philadelphia, PA − April 23, 2025 − On Tuesday, April 22nd, Senator Vincent Hughes hosted an intergovernmental roundtable with federal, state, and local lawmakers and healthcare leaders from across Pennsylvania. The goal was to bring a variety of stakeholders together...
Senate Democratic Caucus Hosts Hearing Regarding the Future of Mass Transit
PITTSBURGH, PA − April 15, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a hearing to examine the needs of regional mass transit systems and assess ways to ensure that their benefits remain accessible to residents and local businesses in...
Senator Jay Costa Announces Recipients of Main Street Matters Grant Funding Benefitting the 43rd Senatorial District
PITTSBURGH, PA – April 9, 2025 – Today, Senator Jay Costa announces the recipients of Main Street Matters funding, distributed by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development who serve the 43rd senatorial district. The 2024-25 budget included a...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Welcomes Senator-Elect James Malone to Democratic Caucus
HARRISBURG, PA – March 26, 2025 – Last night, Democratic East Petersburg Mayor James Malone won a special election for Senate District 36, which comprises northern Lancaster County, against Republican County Commissioner Josh Parsons. Of the 184,569 registered voters...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes Add to Chorus of Pleas to Protect Medicaid Funding
HARRISBURG, PA – February 26, 2025 − Yesterday evening, the US House of Representatives passed a budget resolution that endorses slashing critical funding to Medicaid and Medicare to the tune of $880 billion. In adding to the pleas of fellow Pennsylvanians, Senate...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes Applaud Governor Shapiro’s Lawsuit to Unfreeze $1.2 Billion in Federal Funding for PA’s Families
HARRISBURG, PA – February 13, 2025 – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro announced that he will be filing suit to challenge President Trump’s unconstitutional freeze on $1.2 billion that the US Congress appropriated to Pennsylvania, along with an additional $900 million...
Crossing City Lines, Penn Hills Elected Officials and City of Pittsburgh Officials Team Up to for Much Needed Road Repairs for East Hills Community
PENN HILLS – February 11, 2025 – State Reps. Joe McAndrew and La’Tasha D. Mayes, both D-Allegheny, joined city of Pittsburgh officials for a news conference on to present a $250,000 award for the paving of East Hills Drive in Penn Hills, which will connect the East...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Lauds Governor Shapiro’s Energy Policy, Calls for Swift Passage to Lower Costs for Consumers
PITTSBURGH, PA – January 30, 2025 − Today, Governor Josh Shapiro unveiled The Lightning Plan, a sweeping energy policy aimed at unleashing Pennsylvania’s energy potential, creating good jobs, reducing costs for energy consumers, and positioning our commonwealth as a...
Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus Mourns the Passing of Allegheny County Representative Matt Gergely
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA – State Representative Matt Gergely, D-Pittsburgh, passed away on January 19, 2025, at the age of 45. First elected to the House of Representatives in 2023, Representative Gergely hailed from the 35th district, comprising of McKeesport, Clairton,...
Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus Announces Committee Chairs for 2025-26 Legislative Session
HARRISBURG, PA – January 8, 2025 − The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announces its committee chairs for the 2025-26 legislative session. The Senate Democratic Caucus also proudly welcomes two new members: Senator Patty Kim representing Senate District 15, and...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Announces Nearly $3 Million in PCCD Grant Funding for the 43rd Senatorial District
PITTSBURGH, PA – December 11, 2024 – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa announces $2,753,914 in funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) benefitting the 43rd district, encompassing parts of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. “I am...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Responds to Trump Post on Partnership between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel
HARRISBURG, PA – May 23, 2025 − Earlier today, President Trump posted about a “partnership” between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel. Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa offers the following statement in response: “As soon as a deal between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Announces Two Fresh Food Financing Initiative Grant Recipients in the 43rd Senatorial District
PITTSBURGH, PA – May 21, 2025 – Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $129,043 in Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grant money benefiting the 43rd senatorial district. This program, administered by the Department of Agriculture, helps ensure that low-income...
Senate Democrats Hold Policy Hearing Regarding the Worker Protections
PHILADELPHIA, PA − May 14, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a hearing to examine ways to protect Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and economy with a skilled, protected, and reliable workforce. “The testimony we heard today from...
Arts and Culture Caucus Celebrates Arts Advocacy Day, Features Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Dancers
HARRISBURG, PA – May 13, 2025 – Today, members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Arts and Culture Caucus and Pennsylvania artists gathered at the capitol in celebration of “Arts Advocacy Day.” “As a lifelong lover of the arts, I am always delighted to join fellow...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Responds to Emerging Details in Arson Attack on Governor Shapiro’s Family during Passover
HARRISBURG, PA – April 16, 2025 – Earlier today, the Pennsylvania State Police filed an affidavit indicating that Cody Balmer, who stands accused of assault and arson related to the Sunday morning fire at the Governor’s residence, placed a 911 call during which he...
Senator Jay Costa, Representative Dan Frankel Reintroduce Hate Crimes and Victims’ Rights Package of Legislation
PITTSBURGH, PA – April 10, 2025 – Today, Senator Jay Costa joins Representative Dan Frankel to announce the reintroduction of a package of bills meant to strengthen law enforcement’s response to hate crimes, improve tracking, advocate for victims, and prevent future...
Senate Democratic Caucus Rallies for Fair Housing Month, Calls for State Action on Safe, Affordable Homes for All
Harrisburg, PA − April 2, 2025 − Senate Democrats held a press conference on Wednesday to kick off Fair Housing Month, observed nationally every April, and call for state action on Housing. Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa was joined by Democratic...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Senate Democratic Education Chair Lindsey Williams Decry Dismantling of Federal Department of Education
PITTSBURGH, PA − March 20, 2025 − Today, President Trump is expected to sign an executive order which begins the process of dismantling the US Department of Education. In condemning this unconstitutional action, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Senate Democratic...
Democratic Leader Jay Costa Announces Over $2.4 Million in Multimodal Transportation Fund Grants for the 43rd Senatorial District
PITTSBURGH, PA – February 24, 2025 – Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $2,424,410 in Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant money benefiting the 43rd senatorial district. Per the Department of Community and Economic Development, “The Multimodal Transportation Fund...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Announces Over $200,000 in Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services 24-25 Grant Awards
PITTSBURGH, PA – February 12, 2025 − Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $238,424.75 in Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services 24-25 Grant Awards benefitting the 43rd senatorial district. “I am always proud to announce support for our brave first responders, and...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes Applaud Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 Budget
HARRISBURG, PA – February 4, 2025 – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro laid out his vision and priorities for the 2025-26 Budget. In it, the Governor proposed an agenda for solving the problems facing Pennsylvanians and increasing opportunities for Pennsylvania’s families...
Senator Jay Costa Announces Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund Grants for the 43rd District
PITTSBURGH, PA – January 29, 2025 – Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $1,175,000 in Gaming Economic Development Tourism money and Act 13 money benefiting the 43rd senatorial district. “I am delighted to be announcing funding that supports our parks, our trails, our...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Announces Over $5 Million Violence Intervention Prevention Funding for the 43rd Senatorial District
PITTSBURGH, PA – January 16, 2025 – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa announces $5,717,807 in funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) benefitting the 43rd district, encompassing parts of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. The...
Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus Celebrates Hommrich v. Boscola Decision from Commonwealth Court as Victory for Elected Officials, Democratic Process
HARRISBURG, PA – January 4, 2025 − Yesterday, the Commonwealth Court issued a ruling in the Hommrich v. Boscola defamation case, reversing the trial court and holding that the statement in Senator Boscola’s net metering co-sponsorship memo is protected by legislative...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Circulates Co-Sponsorship Memos on Campaign Finance, Water Safety, Oral Healthcare, and More for 2025-26 Session
PITTSBURGH, PA – December 2, 2024 – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa circulated Co-Sponsorship Memoranda for bills he intends to introduce for the 2025-26 Legislative Session. Those memoranda include: Campaign Finance Reform Electric Shock Drowning...