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 to discuss what federal healthcare cuts could mean for Pennsylvania’s entire healthcare ecosystem and the people who rely on health benefits from Medicaid, CHIP, Pennie, and provisions in the Affordable Care Act that have made healthcare more accessible and affordable.
“It’s important for this group to affirm the magnitude of these potential cuts,” said Senator Hughes. “These cuts threaten access to quality healthcare and coverage, but they also threaten the well-being of our hospital systems, our nursing homes, and our healthcare workers. We need the public to understand that our healthcare system is extremely interconnected. If congressional Republicans move forward with $880 billion in cuts, our entire healthcare and health insurance system will feel it.”
In Pennsylvania, over 3 million residents, or 23% of the Commonwealth’s population rely on Medicaid or CHIP for health insurance. 39% of all Pennsylvania children are enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. Roundtable participants stressed the huge financial gap Pennsylvania will have to grapple with if federal lawmakers decide to cut health benefits.
Senator Jay Costa explained, “The argument coming out of Washington is that they’re not going to cut Medicaid, they’re just modifying eligibility. They say that’s not a benefit cut, but at the end of the day those are reductions. It will then be up to the states to make hard decisions about how to respond to the loss of federal dollars and coverage.”
Several roundtable participants noted that federal cuts will also hurt local economies. DHS c said, “For all of us, but for rural communities in particular, hospitals are often the foundation of a community’s economic viability, health, and strength. And when a hospital closes, that’s often the largest employer in the community.”
“Who’s impacted by these cuts? Everyone, everyone will be impacted,” said Dr. Ala Stanford, founder of the Black Doctors Consortium, professor at University of Pennsylvania, and former HHS Regional Director.
The group of over 25 lawmakers and leaders agreed that now is the time to be reaching out to both Republican and Democrat lawmakers in Washington to make the case for how catastrophic healthcare cuts could be. Laura Guerra, Congressman Evans’ Healthcare Legislative Assistant, noted that language about what specifically will be cut could surface around the end of May.
The intergovernmental roundtable was hosted at the University City Science Center, located in Senator Hughes’ district. A video of the roundtable is available online.
Roundtable participants included:
Federal Lawmakers
- Congressman Dwight Evans
- Joined by Laura Guerra, Healthcare Legislative Assistant
- Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon
State Lawmakers
- Senator Jay Costa, Senate Democratic Leader
- Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair
- Senator Maria Collett, Chair of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee
- Senator Sharif Street, Chair of the Banking and Insurance Committee
- Office of House Speaker Joanna McClinton
- Represented by Hans Van Mol, District Office Director, Office of House Speaker Joanna McClinton
State Appointed Leaders
- Dr. Val Arkoosh, MD, MPH, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
- Michael Humphreys, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department
- Jason Kavulich, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging
- Devon Trolley, Executive Director of Pennie
City Lawmakers and Leaders
- Councilmember Nina Ahmad, Chair of the Public Health and Human Services Committee
- Office of Councilmember Jaime Gauthier, District 3 and Chair of Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless
- Represented by Mariya Khandros, Chief of Staff
Healthcare Leaders and Advocates
- Roy Afflerbach, Government Affairs, Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging (P4A)
- Donna Bailey, CEO of Community Behavioral Health
- Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, Professor, Clinical Family Medicine & Community Health, Perelman School of Medicine
- Peter Grollman, Senior Vice President, External Affairs, Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania
- Krista Hoglund, President, Jefferson Health Plans
- Emily Katz, Executive Director, PA Medicaid Managed Care Organizations
- Ali Kronley, Vice President and Director of United Homecare Workers of Pennsylvania, SEIU
- Katherine Levins, Vice President of Public Policy & Government Affairs, Temple Health
- Garry Pezzano, President and CEO, LeadingAge PA
- Bill Ryan, Senior Lobbyist, Saxton and Stump
- Zach Shamberg, President and CEO, PA Health Care Association
- Dr. Ala Stanford, Founder of the Black Doctors Consortium, Professor at University of Pennsylvania, Former HHS Regional Director
- David Wilson, Vice President of Government and Community Relations, Drexel Health
- Tiffany Wilson, CEO of University City Science Center
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 stated that he “…will not take part in his plans for whatever he wants to do to the Palestinian people.”
The alleged acts of assault and arson took place on the first night of Passover, a Jewish holiday, which Governor Shapiro was observing with his immediate and extended family. So far, no hate crime charges have been filed. The decision to do so belongs to District Attorney Francis T. Chardo.
In response, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, whose district includes the site of the 2018 Tree of Life massacre which took the lives of eleven Jewish worshippers, releases the following statement:
“I am appalled and disgusted to learn of emerging evidence that Governor Shapiro’s support of Israel and his Jewish faith may have contributed to the suspect’s motivation to attack him and his family. Every single Pennsylvanian, of every faith and creed, must be free to gather, pray, worship, and celebrate without fear.
“Our Jewish friends and neighbors are facing unprecedented threats and attacks from antisemitic actors, and I am calling on everyone to do their part to rebuke antisemitism in all its forms, from online hatred to interpersonal violence and everything in between.
“Additionally, let me be as clear as I can: Political violence is wholly unacceptable, full stop. No matter your political opinions, our elected leaders of every party, their staff, and their constituents deserve to move safely and freely through our commonwealth.
“As the Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate this crime, I want to offer my gratitude and support as they bring the full weight of the justice system to bear on this situation. I will not be deterred from raising my voice and organizing the legislature to deliver safety and protections for our Jewish families.”
Senator Costa and Representative Dan Frankel recently introduced a package of bills to strengthen Pennsylvania’s response to hate crimes.
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats’ commitment to safe communities for every Pennsylvanian here.
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 Pennsylvania.
“Across our Commonwealth, we have noticed a rising mass transit funding crisis characterized by substantial cuts in services due to budget limitations. Consequently, we are jeopardizing the daily lives of our residents who depend on public transportation to get to work, visit friends and loved ones, and traverse these regions for everyday needs,” said Senator Miller. “Though today’s hearing focused on Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, we are seeing reduction in access to transit in every corner of the commonwealth, including rural and suburban areas. In my district, Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA) has also been impacted by this crisis and recently reduced services. Today’s hearing highlights the importance of collaboration to identify a solution that ensures our mass transit systems remain accessible to all residents, regardless of age or ability.”
“Today’s hearing was a critical step in understanding the work before us in delivering excellent public transit for every Pennsylvanian, and I am grateful for all the testifiers who shared their knowledge and expertise with us,” said Senator Costa. “Public transit is critical infrastructure for our students, our seniors, our workers, our tourists, our disabled friends and neighbors, our parents, and our climate. While providing essential services to riders, public transit also fuels our region’s economy by connecting workers to workplaces, improving access to family sustaining jobs and providing workforce needs for employers. I look forward to making progress in this critical space together as we move forward.”
“Public transportation is an essential asset to communities across the commonwealth, including here in Western Pennsylvania where transit authorities serve residents, businesses, and visitors,” said Senator Fontana. “It is incumbent upon us to ensure long-term sustainability of our transit systems so that we not again facing drastic cuts to the services so many our constituents depend upon.”
“As a new member of the PRT board and the State Senator representing the region of Allegheny County with the most service cuts since 2013, I am committed to finding a long-term funding solution for our public transit system to not only keep it alive, but for it to thrive,” said Senator Lindsey Williams. “Our people, our workforce, and the future economic prosperity of Pennsylvania depends on access to transportation. I’m grateful to today’s testifiers, who represented the senior and disabled communities and our region’s largest employers and clearly communicated the dire need for a funded system of public transportation.”
“We need to think boldly about the future of transportation in Allegheny County and across Pennsylvania,” said Senator Pisciottano. “We are actively working with state and local leaders to explore solutions that address the current funding gaps and prevent harmful service cuts, including advocating for sustainable, long-term investments in public transit to support riders and ensure equitable service. By making smart investments today, we can build a transit system that serves our communities for generations to come.”
Katharine Kellman, CEO of Pittsburgh Regional Transit, stated the importance of finding a funding solution that will avoid service disruptions and economic setbacks.
“If we don’t come together and identify a lasting solution, the fiscal cliff transit agencies across Pennsylvania face ultimately will make it harder to support economic opportunities, attract and retain employees, and support the social and business needs of our Commonwealth,” said Katharine Kellman. “Transit is not and should not be an optional priority—it is a foundational one.”
Michael Carroll, Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), highlighted their commitment to strengthening the public transportation system through continued collaboration, innovation, and strategic investments.
“Across Pennsylvania, 53 public transit agencies deliver millions of trips every year—supporting mobility in every one of our 67 counties. In rural areas, small towns, and cities like Pittsburgh, transit is a daily necessity,” said Michael Carroll. “In fact, outside the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh regions, over 45,000 trips occur every day, keeping tens of thousands of cars off our roads and reducing congestion and emissions.”
Kendra Ross, Head of Social Impact at Duolingo, expressed concerns amongst the growing workforce in Pittsburgh.
“We’re fortunate to be well-served by PRT today and we hope that that can continue. The proposed service cuts will directly impact us as well as many other businesses in our community, with several lines in East Liberty set to be cut or significantly scaled back,” said Kendra Ross. “It’s been a topic of significant concern among our workforce; I have heard from many of our employees, worried about what this will mean for their commute.”
Lauren Poskin, the Executive Director of Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh, emphasized the need to invest in public transit for the community’s well-being, economy, and quality of life.
“Transportation avoids institutionalization, which is both extremely costly and not what people want,” said Lauren Poskin. “People want to age in community. Both from the human and fiscal perspectives, this is an investment we can’t afford not to make.”
The panelists for today’s hearing included:
- Michael Carroll, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
- Donminika Brown, Chief Financial Officer, Pittsburgh Regional Transit
- Katherine Kelleman, CEO, Pittsburgh Regional Transit
- Ross Nicotero, President Business Manager, A.T.U. Local 85
- Dan Yablonsky, Digital Organizing Director, Pittsburghers for Public Transit
- Laura Poskin, Executive Director, Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh
- Kendra Ross, Head of Social Impact, Duolingo
- Vic Vercammen, Vice President, Safety, Regulatory & Government Affairs, Giant Eagle, Inc
- Dr. Mark Rubino, President, Allegheny Health Network Forbes and Allegheny Valley Hospitals
Senator Nick Miller was elected Policy Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus in December 2024. Today’s hearing was his fifth as Chair.
Footage of the hearing, as well as the written testimony of the panel, is available at PASenatorMiller.com/Policy. Photographs and downloadable video are available upon request.
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats commitment to protecting our commonwealth’s healthcare needs and other legislative priorities at www.pasenate.com.
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Testimony
Panel 1: The Commonwealth’s Outlook
Panel 2: The State of Pittsburgh Regional Transit
Panel 3: Community Impacts
Panel 4: Regional Economic Effect
Additional Testimony
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 hate-based crimes.
This legislation is a direct response to the 2018 mass shooting at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life building, during which a white supremacist murdered eleven worshippers in three Jewish congregations. To this day, this was the single deadliest act of antisemitic violence in American history. However, since then, the instance of hate crimes has only risen against racial minorities, religious groups, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
As noted in the Senate co-sponsorship memorandum, “According to the Pennsylvania State Policy Uniform Crime Reporting System, between 2020 and 2021, hate crime incidents in Pennsylvania more than doubled statewide. Between 2021 and 2023, the Department of Justice reports hate crimes almost doubled again in Pennsylvania. Worse, hate crimes are often misreported because of a lack of training or tracking.”
Already, Senator Costa and Representative Frankel have championed the creation and growth of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Signed into law in 2019, Act 83 directs PCCD to administer grants to nonprofit organizations who principally serve individuals, groups or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents as identified by the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics publication.
“I have been extremely proud to fight for legislation so that the people who call Pennsylvania home have safe communities, gathering spaces, and houses of worship,” said Senator Costa. “Hate-based crimes shake our community to the core, endangering our sense of belonging, safety, and identity. I remember vividly the immediate aftermath of the Tree of Life massacre, and I want to thank everyone who has collaborated on real solutions to protecting members of marginalized communities and ensuring we can prevent hate-based crime throughout our commonwealth. I look forward to delivering safe neighborhoods where everyone can live, dress, gather, sing, worship, and join in fellowship.”
Last session, a similar package was passed out of the House of Representatives, but Republican leadership in the Senate declined to take up the legislation.
“No one should ever feel unsafe because of who they are, where they come from, or how they look, love, or pray,” said Rep. Frankel. “With this legislative package, Pennsylvania has the opportunity to stand up for our most vulnerable neighbors and recognize the deep harm hate crimes inflict—not just on individuals, but on entire communities.”
The House version of the Anti-Hate Crimes Package, which Representative Frankel introduced along with Representative Napoleon Nelson, is accessible here.
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 $20 million investment in this program in order to position the commonwealth as a leader in good jobs, strong local economies, and downtown revitalization efforts. Per DCED, “These funds build on the success of the Keystone Communities Program, which has helped cities and towns across Pennsylvania repair historic buildings, improve pedestrian safety, and provide direct support to small businesses.”
“The Main Street Matters program is crucial to our local entrepreneurs, small businesses, and downtown economies here in Pittsburgh,” said Senator Costa. “The lifeblood of our neighborhoods is a thriving main street, where local entrepreneurs hire local workers who serve local customers and tourists alike. I’ve been proud to visit many such shops in my district and learn just how vital investments in our downtown are to our overall prosperity. I am so proud to have supported the creation of this critical program, and I look forward to seeing our communities continue to grow and thrive as a result of the investments from this program.
- Mt. Oliver Borough was awarded $100,000 for Façade Improvement Program.
- Pittsburgh Innovation District was awarded $213,326 for the S. Craig Street Corridor Development.
Senator Wayne Fontana added, “Investing in the Downtown is not only the smart thing to do, but the right thing to do. When we empower our local businesses to attract great workers and loyal customers, everyone benefits. I am proud to have advocated for these investments and I am excited to see these dollars get to work in Pittsburgh.”
Together, Senator Costa and Senator Fontana announce the following Main Street Matters grant recipients who serve constituents in both of their districts:
- Bloomfield Development Corporation was awarded $22,520 for the Liberty Avenue Business District Plan.
- Bloomfield-Garfield corporation was awarded $17,561 for the Penn Avenue Strategic Plan
A complete list of Main Street Matters funding recipients is accessible here.
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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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 Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes, Senator Wayne Fontana, Senator Tim Kearney, Senator Sharif Street, Senator Tim Kane, Senator Lindsey Williams, Senator Maria Collett, and Senator Amanda Cappelletti. Senator-elect James Malone, the first Democrat to represent Lancaster in the State Senate since 1889, also joined the press conference.
“Senate Democrats have long prioritized delivering safe, affordable homes for every Pennsylvanian, and we are here today to renew that commitment to the people of Pennsylvania amid federal chaos,” said Democratic Leader Jay Costa. “We are committed to delivering for working families by ensuring that they can raise their children in a safe home they can afford right here in Pennsylvania.”
National Fair Housing Month celebrates the passage of the Fair Housing Act, a national law that prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, and gender. The Act was passed in 1968 and amended in 1988 to include protections for people with disabilities and families with children. However, the current presidential administration has begun to roll back the incredible progress of the Fair Housing Act and has terminated grants to organizations that enforce the Fair Housing Act nationwide.
“For the PA Senate Democratic caucus, housing discrimination is not acceptable,” said Senator Hughes. “We will do whatever we have to do to make sure housing is a right that is available to everyone, no matter who you are, where you come from, what your background is, or who you love.”
A few weeks ago, Senator Hughes protested the freezing of federal dollars to an organization in his district to enforce the Fair Housing Act at the behest of President Trump and Elon Musk.
“As lawmakers, we have a duty to build on the foundation laid by the Fair Housing Act with responsive, forward-looking policies that meet today’s challenges,” said Senator Cappelletti. “While we may not be able to eliminate every obstacle Pennsylvanians face, we have a responsibility to pass meaningful legislation that eases their burdens.”
During the conference, members of the Senate Democratic Caucus discussed the importance of protecting the progress made by the Fair Housing Act and discussed ways to keep up the momentum on the state level, from zoning reform to eviction sealing to repairing our aging housing stock to building more new affordable housing.
“As a realtor by trade, I am proud to recognize Fair Housing Month and the public, private, and non-profit organizations that work tirelessly to ensure access to safe and affordable housing to any person who wants it,” said Senator Wayne Fontana. “Equitable access to affordable housing benefits our entire commonwealth. Now more than ever, it is important that we all work to ensure the guarantee of the Fair Housing Act is fulfilled in the commonwealth.”
The 2024-25 Pennsylvania Budget included a number of important investments in the housing space, including $70M for the PHARE Affordable Housing Program, $2.5M for new Local Government Emergency Housing Support, over $23.4M for Homelessness Assistance, a $2.5M increase for Domestic Violence programs and services, and a $2.5M increase for Legal Services programs.
“Ending discrimination in housing means ending exclusionary local zoning regulations that make affordable and accessible housing all but illegal in too many towns across PA,” said Senator Tim Kearney. “We need all municipalities to allow for housing types the average Pennsylvanian can afford, and we need the state to lead our communities because the housing crisis is affecting all of us.”
Photographs and video footage of today’s press conference are available upon request.
Learn more about the Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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