Senator Costa Announces $1.7 Million Grant for Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pa.April 21, 2022 − Senator Jay Costa today announced the award of more than $1.75 million in state grant funding for the development of multi modal transportation along Sylvan Avenue in the City of Pittsburgh.

$1.76 million has been awarded through PennDOT to reopen a portion of Sylvan Avenue to pedestrian and bicycle traffic as a public trail parallel to SR 885 that will connect the Hazelwood and Greenfield neighborhoods to job centers in Oakland.

“Whether you’re in a car, on a bike or on foot, the City of Pittsburgh must be safe and accessible,” said Senator Costa. “Adding safe spaces for bikers and walkers is critical to ensure that we can all get around this City, particularly on the roads that take folks from home to work every day.”

This grant is part of the Multimodal Transportation Fund, created by Act 89 of 2013.

PennDOT evaluated the applications and made selections based on such criteria as safety benefits, regional economic conditions, the technical and financial feasibility, job creation, energy efficiency, and operational sustainability.

Additionally, PennDOT anticipates accepting Multimodal Transportation Fund applications in fall 2022 for Fiscal Year 2023-24 funding. For more information about the program, visit www.penndot.pa.gov and click on Multimodal Program under the “Projects & Programs” button.

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Sen. Costa, Rep Frankel: $500,000-plus awarded to local religious nonprofits for security, safety

PITTSBURGH, April 14, 2022 – State Rep. Dan Frankel and Sen. Jay Costa today announced the awarding of more than $500,000 in state safety and security grants to a dozen local religious nonprofits, even as they continue their fight to strengthen Pennsylvania’s anti-hate crime laws, expand civil rights and protect at-risk groups through public police.

“This community knows all too well the violence and devastation of hate crimes, and it’s a top priority of mine in the legislature to prevent those crimes,” said Sen. Costa. “I will continue to advocate for the funds to protect our local facilities that could become the next target. While I’m happy to announce today’s grants with Representative Frankel, I would be remiss if I did not also mention that we have introduced legislation that would empower law enforcement with additional tools to track hate groups and prevent violence. We await hearings in the state legislature on those bills.”

Across Allegheny County, more than 20 religious nonprofits were awarded grants totaling more than $1.1 million. The grants were made possible by a bipartisan agreement to extend Act 83 of 2019, legislation championed by both lawmakers in the wake of the Squirrel Hill synagogue attack in 2018, using funding from the American Rescue Plan. This is the third year grants from the program have been disbursed.

“Our houses of faith are integral to a vibrant, diverse and loving Pittsburgh community. With this funding, the state of Pennsylvania acknowledges both the vital role that these organizations play and the dangers of today’s world,” Frankel said. “These places are the centers of their communities, places of peace, of hope, of friendship. No one should ever have to be afraid to step through their doors.”

Grant recipients can use the funds for security enhancements designed to protect the safety of the users of the facility that is owned and operated by the nonprofit organization. These include safety and security planning, purchase of security equipment, safety and security training, and other safety-related projects.

Priority for funding was given to organizations that indicated their organization and/or membership was the victim of a hate crime, that received credible hate-crime threats, or that serves a population susceptible to hate crimes, which includes people of certain race/ethnicity/ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender and gender identity.

Grantees locally included

Chabad of Carnegie Mellon University, Inc.
Jewish Residential Services, Inc.
Chabad of Squirrel Hill Inc.
Yeshivath Achei Tmimim of Pittsburgh.
Lubavitch Center.
Congregation Dor Hadash.
Hillel Jewish University Center.
Chabad Young Professionals Inc.
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh.
Rodef Shalom Congregation.
Tzohar Seminary.
Temple Sinai.

Senator Costa Applauds Supreme Court Decision on LRC Maps

Harrisburg, PA – March 16, 2022 – Today, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the bipartisan maps for state legislative districts drawn by the Legislative Redistricting Commission and scheduled the petition period for the May primary; the maps that passed the commission in February will be those used on the ballot this year.

“I’m pleased with this ruling because not only were these maps fair, reasonable and supported in a bipartisan way, today’s decision means we can proceed with our election calendar and folks can begin preparation to run for office or learn who their potential representatives will be,” said Senate Democratic Leader and LRC member Jay Costa said. “I supported this map because I believe it is representative and gives Pennsylvanians a fair voice in their state government, and I’m excited to see the electoral process begin this year.”

The Supreme Court decision lays out a timeline for the 2022 election, as the previously scheduled petition period has already passed.

Candidates for the General Assembly may circulate petitions in the districts they live in beginning March 18 and ending March 28.

The primary election will be held as previously scheduled on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

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Costa, Frankel Unveil ‘Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act’

PITTSBURGH March 16, 2022 − In an effort to strengthen health protections for Pennsylvania workers, state Rep. Dan Frankel and state Sen. Jay Costa, both D-Allegheny, have introduced the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act.

Currently, the state’s Clean Indoor Air Act allows smoking inside casinos, private clubs and certain drinking establishments. But if passed, Frankel and Costa’s legislation would eliminate those exemptions and expand protections for the employees inside those businesses.

Specifically, the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act would:

  • Eliminate loopholes in the Clean Indoor Air Act that leave workers exposed to cancerous secondhand smoke.
  • Expand the definition of smoking to include e-cigarettes in order to combat the increase in vaping-related illnesses.
  • Give all localities the ability to enact smoke-free ordinances that are more protective than state law.

Frankel noted that pandemic restrictions eliminated smoking in casinos for a year amid a host of other challenges, and the industry revenues remained strong.

“Let’s put to rest the myth that customers won’t come if they can’t smoke indoors. That didn’t happen when smoking was banned on airplanes. It didn’t happen when smoking was banned in restaurants, and it won’t happen when indoor smoking is finally eliminated in casinos,” Frankel said, adding that Parx, the commonwealth’s top revenue-generating casino, is not only keeping the smoking ban in place, but they’re now expanding to open a new, non-smoking location. “If we cannot count on private businesses to do the right thing even when it’s the financially smart thing, then it’s time for political leaders to step in and insist on the protection of the health of our constituents.”

Costa noted that the percentage of people who smoke cigarettes has dropped to an all-time low, because the public understands how unsafe it is. He urged his colleagues in Harrisburg to take this opportunity — when the people are unusually focused on the public health — and update the Clean Indoor Air Act.

“Going to work shouldn’t increase someone’s risk of cancer or lung disease, but that is exactly what happens to the men and women who work in casinos. Indoor smoking exceptions at these facilities are unsafe for workers and non-smoking patrons,” Costa said. “Clean air is a right and that’s why I’m introducing this legislation again with my colleague Representative Frankel.”

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, who also gave remarks during Wednesday’s bill announcement, praised the lawmakers for their years of dedication on this topic.

“We commend Senator Costa and Representative Frankel for their continued efforts to further safeguard workers from the dangers of secondhand smoke and urge the legislature to take action on this legislation now,” said Fitzgerald. “Because of the pandemic, we know that businesses that previously suggested that their survival was tied to smoking can actually thrive in a no-smoking environment. In a market where there are great employment needs, offering opportunities for potential employees that also protects their health is a no-brainer.”

Currently, smoking is permitted at more than 1,800 locations in Pennsylvania. Molly Pisciottano, who spoke at the news conference on behalf of Breathe Free, a coalition of organizations including the American Heart Association, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, American Lung Association and American Cancer Society Action Network, referenced a CDC estimate that of 20 million people who died from smoking-related conditions since 1964, 2.5 million were nonsmokers who died from diseases caused by exposure to secondhand smoke.

“The research is clear: gaps in current law have significant health consequences for workers,” said Pisciottano. “Employees should never be asked to accept that kind of risk so that they can put food on the table.”

Photos from today’s press conference can be found here. Video from today’s press conference can be found here.

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Senator Costa Announces $100K in Grants to Prevent Community Violence

Pittsburgh, Pa. − March 9, 2022 − Today, Senator Costa announced the award of nearly $100,000 in state grant money for local organizations to do violence prevention work.

“We hear about acts of violence after they’ve occurred, but I want to draw attention to and support for the organizations that are dedicated to preventing the next act of violence,” said Senator Costa. “Today’s grants are going to very worthy organizations doing life saving work. I’m so glad we were able to offer them state level support as they improve our local community.”

Three organizations in the 43rd senatorial district will receive funding for projects that promote safer neighborhoods after a competitive application process statewide.

  • Great Pittsburgh Area MAD DADs will receive $11,947. MAD DADS is an acronym for Men Against Destruction-Defending Against Drugs and Social-Disorder. MAD DADS, INC. was founded in May of 1989 by a group of concerned Omaha, Nebraska parents who were fed up with gang violence and the unmolested flow of illegal drugs in our community.
  • Greater Valley Community Services will receive $36,205. Greater Valley Community Services is a nonprofit organization that believes all persons deserve the chance to develop in a nurturing, safe, and established environment.
  • The Pittsburgh Contingency will receive $44,803 for its South Pittsburgh Peacemakers Outreach Team. The South Pittsburgh Peacemakers consists of South Pittsburgh intervention specialists and a chaplain, who are trained peace makers, violence interrupters and outreach workers designed to prevent shootings by identifying and mediating potentially lethal conflicts in our communities.

Today’s grants are awarded by the PA Commission on Crime & Delinquency as art of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is designed to create and foster safer neighborhoods through a sustained reduction in violent crime, including, but not limited to, addressing criminal gangs and the felonious possession and use of firearms and projects that support innovative cooperative efforts and partnerships between federal, state, and local law enforcement engaged in a unified approach led by the U.S. Attorney in all 94 districts to identify and prevent violent crime. 

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PA Senate Democrats Strongly Support Governor’s Proposed Budget to Invest in Pennsylvanians

HARRISBURG – February 8, 2022 – Governor Tom Wolf gave his final budget address today to a joint Pennsylvania House and Senate Session. The proposed budget invests in Pennsylvanians through education, workforce development, criminal justice reform, public health investments, and raising the minimum wage – without calling for a single tax increase.

“I am very pleased with the proposed budget that the Governor presented today because it gives us the ability to truly invest in Pennsylvanians. We are in an excellent position, with an estimated $6 billion budget surplus, to fund programs and initiatives that help Pennsylvania’s live the full and prosperous lives they deserve,” Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa said.

Investments in education include $1.55 billion increase in basic education, $200 million in special education, $60 million in Pre-K Counts and $10 million for Head Start Supplemental Assistance, $300 in Level Up funding to 100 school districts with the highest needs, and $77.7 million in federal funds to make childcare more affordable. Proposed investments of over $180 million across higher education programs and a total of $200 million for Nellie Bly scholarships to help PASSHE students.

Further investments include $35 million in grants and technical assistance through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for community-led gun violence prevention efforts and $1 million for reentry services to assist women by giving them the best opportunity to start fresh and reduce recidivism.

Making sure that Pennsylvania workers earn a living wage has been a long-time priority of the Senate Democratic Caucus and this budget proposes an immediate e increase of state minimum wage to $12 per hour, with an annual increase of $.50 per hour until all minimum wage employees reach $15 per hour.

“This budget gives us the opportunity to make the critical investments that Pennsylvania needs in our schools, communities, and workforce. Now is the time to put this money into the programs that fund the future of this commonwealth. We must use the surplus of this budget to show Pennsylvanians that we see where they are struggling, and we are supporting a budget that gives them the support where they need it,” Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes said.

For more information on the 2022-2023 budget, visit pasenate.com/budget.

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