PITTSBURGH, PA – May 30, 2024 – Today, a jury found Donald Trump guilty on 34 counts in his criminal trial.
State Senator Jay Costa offers the following statement:
“Today’s thirty-four count guilty verdicts mark an enormous moment for Donald Trump and his decades of lies and deception. The message sent today was loud and clear: no one is above the law. While it’s certainly unprecedented for a former president to be found guilty in this manner, it’s important to remember that the law must apply fairly and equally to everyone, regardless of their income, ZIP code, or occupation. Today brings mixed emotions – while I’m glad that justice was served, it’s also sad to know that a dishonest businessman was the Commander-in-Chief for four full years. I look forward to next steps in this process as we pursue truth and justice.”
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PITTSBURGH, PA – May 22, 2024 – Today, Senator Jay Costa announces three recipients of Keystone Communities Program grants in the 43rd district through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) totaling $823,004. In total, DCED awarded nearly $7 million across 49 projects in Pennsylvania.
“I am so proud that Pennsylvania continues to invest in the organizations that empower our communities to grow and thrive,” said Senator Costa. “Safe homes and streets are foundational to thriving Main Streets, and I look forward to fighting for further investments in these programs as we begin to negotiate the 2024-25 fiscal year budget.”
The recipients of these grant dollars in the 43rd district are as follows.
- Gwen’s Girls was awarded $298,004 to renovate the Rochez Building located in Wilkinsburg Borough
- Hazelwood Initiative, Inc. was awarded $25,000 for their Gladstone School Annex Community Planning Project
- Amani Christian Community Development Corporation was awarded $500,000 for their African Queens Apartments
Per the Department of Community and Economic Development’s website, “The Keystone Communities Program (KCP) program is designed to encourage the creation of partnerships between the public and private sectors that jointly support local initiatives such as the growth and stability of neighborhoods and communities; social and economic diversity; and a strong and secure quality of life. The program allows communities to tailor the assistance to meet the needs of its specific revitalization effort.”
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats’ commitment to good jobs and safe communities for every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – May 13, 2024 – Today, State Senator Jay Costa mourns the passing of longtime family friend and Allegheny County leader Cyril Wecht, who died earlier today per the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
Senator Costa releases the following statement:
“I knew Dr. Wecht for a long time. He was a brilliant lawyer, and intelligent and charismatic leader, and a devout family man. Throughout his career, he was always willing to push boundaries and fight for the truth. Although he had a national profile, I always knew him to be a son of Squirrel Hill with deep ties to his community. I am holding his wife, children, and grandchildren in my heart today. His family, and our entire county, lost a tremendous champion.”
Cyril Wecht died at age 93 today. Throughout his life, he spent time as a musician, a captain in the United States Air Force Medical Corps, a coroner, an educator, a leader in the Democratic Party, a county commissioner, and a national figure critical of the Warren Commission.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – May 8, 2024 − Today, Governor Shapiro and DCED Secretary Risk Siger awarded seven projects across Pennsylvania a total of $10.6 Million in PA SITES (Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites) funding in order to develop shovel-ready locations to attract businesses and family-sustaining jobs. Of the seven projects chosen from over one hundred applicants, a project in the 43rd district was selected to receive funding.
PA SITES pilot program funding is being awarded to the following recipient in the 43rd senatorial district:
- Allegheny County – $2,326,733 to the RIDC Southwestern Pennsylvania Growth Fund for continued development of the Carrie Furnace site in Rankin Borough. PA SITES funds will be used for earthwork, utilities, and asphalt paving.
“Pennsylvania is well on its way to becoming a national leader in business and economic development thanks in no small part to the thoughtful and aggressive investments from the Shapiro administration in attracting businesses to our commonwealth,” said Senator Costa. “Allegheny County has a long, proud history of delivering good family-sustaining jobs to our workers, and the Carrie Furnace project is no exception. I will be fighting hard to expand the PA SITES program in this year’s budget to continue the great work of this incredible pilot program.”
Senator Costa has been a longtime supporter of Carrie Furnace. In 2022, Carrie Furnace received $1,000,000 in RACP funding for construction, a $3 million dollar grant, and a $4.5 million dollar loan from the Commonwealth Financing Agency’s (CFA) Business in Our Site (BiOS) program. In 2021, Carrie Furnace received $100,000 in Keystone Historic Preservation Money. The Marcellus Legacy Fund awarded Carrie Furnace $115,000 for improvements to the Carrie Furnace Access Trail and Trailhead in 2019, and in 2016, $313,305 in CFA grant dollars was awarded to evaluate the structure and its existing paint system to assess contaminate levels and develop necessary remediation and rehabilitation plans.
In January, Senator Costa joined Governor Shapiro at Mill 19 in Pittsburgh to champion the Economic Development Plan that includes the PA SITES program.
Find details about the PA SITES pilot program here.
The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus is fighting for good jobs for every Pennsylvanian. Read more about this commitment here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA − May 2, 2024 – Today, Senator Jay Costa is proud to announce $300,000 in Parent Pathways Grant funding to benefit the 43rd district.
“Parents seeking undergraduate degrees are balancing a tremendous load, from accomplishing schoolwork to raising children, and I am very proud that we are able to deliver funding to make this journey easier for our parents in college,” said Senator Costa. “I certainly hope that this funding goes a long way in preparing parents to succeed, graduate, and provide well for their families.”
The following organizations in the 43rd district will receive grants:
- Carlow University, $150,000
- Community College of Allegheny County, $150,000
According to the Department of Education,
Parenting students bear significant burdens and need additional support to navigate through their academic program successfully. In December 2022, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services released a policy report (PDF) following consultations with parenting students, postsecondary institution staff, subject matter experts, various state agencies, and community leaders. The Parent Pathways Learning Network (PPLN) concentrated on addressing the necessary support for food, childcare, housing, and financial aid. The results underscored the importance of integrating the firsthand experiences of parenting students into statewide policymaking. Governor Shapiro, in support of these findings, allocated $1.61 million in his 2023-2024 budget to support these students.
A comprehensive list of awardees is accessible on the Department of Education’s website, along with additional information on the grant’s creation and administration.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – Today, Senator Jay Costa is proud to announce $2,310,782 in school safety and mental health money from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency benefitting the 43rd Senatorial District.
“This funding is absolutely crucial to ensuring our students can learn in safe environments and get the care they need right at school,” said Senator Costa. “I am proud to have fought for dollars that deliver care to our young people, and I look forward to continuing the fight for our students, staff, and educators.”
The following public schools in the 43rd district will receive grants:
- Penn Hills School District was awarded $45,000 in FY23-24 Meritorious Award money and $149,414 in FY23-24 Mental Health for a total of $194,414.
- Pittsburgh School District was awarded $45,000 in FY23-24 Meritorious Award dollars, $395,494 in FY23-24 Mental Health Award dollars, and $600,522 in FY23-24 Competitive Award for a total of $1,041,016.
- Riverview School District was awarded $30,000 in FY23-24 Meritorious Award dollars and $111,894 in FY23-24 Competitive Award dollars for a total of $141,894.
- Wilkinsburg Borough SD School District was awarded $30,000 in FY23-24 Meritorious Award dollars and $ 114,007 FY23-24 Mental Health Award dollars for a total of $144,007.
- Woodland Hills School District was awarded $ 45,000 in FY23-24 Meritorious Award dollars and $154,451 in FY23-24 Mental Health Award dollars for a total of $199,451.
- Western PA School for Blind, an approved private school, was awarded $450,000 in FY23-24 Competitive Award dollars for a total of $450,000.
- Environmental Charter School at Frick Park was awarded $70,000 in FY23-24 Mental Health Award dollars for a total of $70,000.
- CS-Hazelwood Charter School was awarded $70,000 in FY23-24 Mental Health Award dollars for a total of $70,000.
A comprehensive list of awardees is accessible on PCCD’s School Safety and Security webpage.
Funds will advance the School Safety and Security Committee’s goal of ensuring that all Pennsylvania students can learn in safe, healthy school environments by helping school entities address basic safety needs and mental health services identified in the Committee’s recently adopted Revised Baseline Criteria Standards.
For more information on the awards announced today, visit PCCD’s School Safety and Security webpage.
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