Pittsburgh, Pa. − January 22, 2019 − At a press event today in Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto’s office, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr., Representatives Ed Gainey and Sara Innamorato, and the Mayor announced plans for a property tax relief program for Pittsburgh.
As Pittsburgh continues to experience increased investment and development pressure in specific neighborhoods of the city, longtime owner occupants have been and will continue to be put at risk of being forced out of their homes due to rapid increases in property taxes. Given these rising costs, the City of Pittsburgh sought options to keep homeowners in place.
The current state law requires for Allegheny County to enact an ordinance that would then allow the other municipalities within the county to enact their own programs to defer or exempt increasing taxes. However, Allegheny County has been unable to create a program that defined the parameters of the program specifically enough to satisfy court challenges or flexible enough to meet the varying needs of is many local governments.
Senator Costa is currently seeking cosponsors on a bill that would allow Allegheny County to create a longtime owner occupant program (LOOP).
“Rising living costs and constantly increasing tax burdens are pushing longtime residents out of the homes they have worked their entire lives to own and age in,” said Senator Costa. “It’s important that we provide relief from these increases to help stabilize property tax bills, home ownership, and communities.”
Proposed changes would involve:
- Amending the title of the statute from “First and Second Class County Property Tax Relief Act” to “First and Second Class County and City Property Tax Relief Act”;
- Amending occurrences of “counties of the first and second class” to read “counties and cities of the first and second class”;
- Further discussion on whether any amendments to Section 4749.4(c) would be necessary; and
- Amending Section 4749.5(c)(2) from “School districts and municipalities within a county of the second class may…” to read “School districts and municipalities within a county of the second class, including cities of the second class, may…”
“We want our neighborhoods to be better, but we don’t want to price people out,” said Rep. Ed Gainey, D-Allegheny. “We need to make sure that as Pittsburgh rises, the people who have lived in our communities are not left behind, or removed to make way for new development. We have an affordable housing crisis in this city, and it is our moral responsibility to invest in and defend those longtime residents who have built lives in their neighborhoods.”
“As Pittsburgh continues to grow economically, we need to invest in our communities in a way that is sustainable and equitable,” said Rep. Sara Innamorato, D-Allegheny. “New development and investment should never be at the expense of residents who were here during the hard times, who have invested their lives in their neighborhoods. As our city advances we need to make sure that the fabric of our neighborhoods is not torn apart, and that everyone gets to benefit from growth in their neighborhood.”
There are distinct differences between the application of the statute in a county of the first class with one municipality and a county of the second class with 130 municipalities. Most notably, there are practical challenges in the ability to properly define the eligibility parameters and designated geographic areas for counties of the second class given the large number of municipalities.
“We need to make sure those who stayed in Pittsburgh through the bad times can remain in their homes through the good times. This legislation will help us ensure that,” Mayor William Peduto said.
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Harrisburg, PA − January 17, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today circulated a memo seeking cosponsors for a bill that would create a no-interest loan fund for federal employees during the shutdown.
Federal employees that are working are not eligible for unemployment benefits, but while the shutdown continues they are also not being paid a salary.
There are three groups of employees going unpaid due to the Trump government shutdown: Federal employees not working and not being paid; and, contract employees going without work. Both categories of workers are eligible for typical UC benefits. However, a third group — federal employees that are working but not paid — are ineligible under federal law for UC benefits.
“This third category of workers are caught in a must work-without-pay without UC benefits trap. This is unfair and immoral,” said Senator Costa. “We should do all we can to make sure that these hardworking people are being provided the means to take care of their families.”
Senator Costa’s bill will create a loan fund within the Department of Labor and Industry to provide these temporary benefits. Should an unpaid, working federal employee choose to receive a loan they will be required to fully reimburse the fund for the loan interest free.
Initial estimates based on claims from federal employees that are not working and applying for benefits indicate that about $5 million is needed to cover a month of loan benefits for this additional class of employees. While this amount should be near revenue neutral, L&I would need administrative funding to run the program. These costs are well worth it to help struggling families.
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Mon Valley, Pa. − January 17, 2019 − The Mon Valley is in the midst of a public health situation; one that could have been avoided, and one that needs to be immediately remedied.
Since the US Steel Corp.’s Clairton Coke Works fire on Dec. 24th, the plant has been in violation of the maximum legal safety threshold for sulfur dioxide emissions six times. What makes this worse is that the public was not notified about the violations and resultant danger until January 9th.
The 22 effected communities should have been informed and have been provided clear direction on how to minimize the danger to those that are most at risk.
The Clairton Coke Works is a known, ongoing violator of air pollution standards. The facility has been fined over $4 million, even prior to the most recent violations following the fire. While the plant has taken steps to reduce emissions violations, it must do more and quickly. And the continuing violations triggered by the fire must be brought to a quick end.
An ongoing local health study being conducted by Duquesne University School of Pharmacy physicians Dr. Deborah Gentile and Dr. Jennifer Elliot has provided eye opening, real time results showing the danger presented by the post-fire emissions failures. Comparing children from inside and outside of the sulfur dioxide emissions zone before and after the fire, the physicians have been able to show negative health conditions as a result of the fire aftermath. Proof positive that the plant, and perhaps the delay in notifying the public, led to public health consequences.
To resolve this, we are calling for:
- The Senate and House Democratic Policy Committees to hold a joint hearing in the effected communities to hear from US Steel officials, the Allegheny County Department of Health, local public health and environmental advocates, and members of the community;
- Complete transparency about daily emissions from the Clairton plant, the planned resolution for repairing the plant from the fire including specific timelines, and in the near future, specifics on how the longer-term emissions problems are going to be addressed; and
- To get to the bottom of the legal confusion causing delays in important public health notifications. The public needs to know sooner and get better information on how to react.
“Folks have a right to know about potential concerns with the air they breathe,” said Senator Jay Costa. “That didn’t happen here, and we need more transparency as we move forward. Public health is at stake.”
“We’ve seen a recurring problem with this plant, and it’s time to address it,” said Senator Jim Brewster. “I have concerns about the health and welfare of the employees that work at this plant, in addition to the people who live in this region. The Mon Valley needs to be kept informed about the air quality so that our health doesn’t suffer.”
“We are sure that once we hear from the community and stakeholder more action items will come to our attention, so we must first open this issue up for public dialogue, and we must act quickly,” said Representative Austin Davis.
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Pittsburgh, PA − January 16, 2019 − Senator Costa released the below statement on Penn Hill School District:
Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced that the Penn Hills School District will be taking its next steps toward complete financial recovery by entering the Commonwealth’s Financial Recovery Program. While in financial watch status PDE identified several areas that the district can improve upon to put it on solid financial footing. This new program will bring expert staff and new resources to Penn Hills to ensure that they stay on course to full financial recovery, while maintaining local control.
The first step will be the appointment of a PDE funded staff position called a Chief Recovery Officer (CRO). The CRO will be the primary point of contact between the school district and PDE.
The school board and CRO will first be responsible for completing a diagnostic analysis of the district’s finances and academic programs to get more information on specific areas the district can improve in.
Once the diagnostic is finished the school board and CRO will develop a financial recovery plan, which will offer a systematic, strategic and comprehensive guide for getting the district back to full self-sufficiency and long-term financial and academic health.
HARRISBURG, PA − January 16, 2019 −Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus stood together Wednesday, outlining the impacts of the federal shutdown on their constituents and addressing potential remedies at a state level.
“In my county of Allegheny, we have about 150,000 folks who will be impacted by the change to SNAP benefits, and we want to make certain that they understand what they can do and what steps they can take during this federal shutdown,” said Senate Democratic leader Jay Costa.
“Far too many real people with real needs have been affected by a senseless federal government shutdown and are at risk of suffering through no fault of their own,” Senator Vincent Hughes said. “We want to make sure the 1.8 million Pennsylvanians who receive SNAP benefits are aware of the shutdown’s impact and have the information they need to receive services through February and beyond.”
“The federal shutdown impacts Pennsylvanians in more ways than many people appreciate,” said Senator Shariff Street. “I along with several colleagues have encouraged our financial institutions to extend resources to federal workers so that they can provide for their children, pay utility bills and continue to function during this time.”
Senator Art Haywood stated that if the federal shutdown continues, there will be no SNAP payments for the month of February.
“Make the SNAP benefits last. You will get two payments this month and are expected to have that last with no certain end date to the federal government shutdown,” said Senator Haywood. “Donald Trump said, ‘what do you have to lose?’ and now we are finding out.”
“An additional component of this federal shutdown is the effect on science, and the effect on what we rely on to keep us safe and healthy,” said Senator Daylin Leach.
Leach spoke to the fact that during the shutdown federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration are not doing their regular inspections of food, the Nation Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is not tracking and publishing weather patterns, and many scientists who work for the federal government are leaving for the private sector jobs.
Also in attendance at today’s press conference were Senators Andy Dinniman, Lindsey Williams, Steve Santarsiero, Anthony Williams, Maria Collett, Tim Kearney, Wayne Fontana, Larry Farnese and Katie Muth.
For more information about Pennsylvania resources for those struggling during this shutdown of the federal government, visit pasenate.com/snap for more information.
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Watch full press conference below.
HARRISBURG, January 16, 2019 − Today, the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus released its committee assignments for the 2019-20 legislative session.
“Committee meetings offer our members and the public the best opportunity to learn about legislation, and it’s important to assign Senators based on their interest and experience in the subject of each committee,” said Senator Costa. “I believe we have a great roster of committee chairs and members here that will delve into the issues of our caucus’ platform.”
The committees, listed here alphabetically, will have the following members from the Senate Democratic Caucus.
- Aging & Youth: Maria Collett (Chair), John Sabatina, Jr., Judy Schwank, Christine Tartaglione
- Agriculture & Rural Affairs: Judy Schwank (Chair), Andrew Dinniman, John Sabatina, Jr., Sharif Street
- Appropriations: Vincent Hughes (Chair), Judy Schwank (Vice Chair), Jay Costa (Ex Officio), John Blake, Maria Collett, Art Haywood, Daylin Leach, Steve Santarsiero, Sharif Street
- Banking & Insurance: Sharif Street (Chair), Lisa Boscola, James Brewster, Larry Farnese, Christine Tartaglione
- Communications & Technology: Steve Santarsiero (Chair), Jay Costa, Tim Kearney, Lindsey Williams
- Community, Economic & Recreational Development: Larry Farnese (Chair), John Blake, Lisa Boscola, Wayne Fontana, John Sabatina, Jr.
- Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure: Lisa Boscola (Chair), Maria Collett, Larry Farnese, Steve Santarsiero, John Yudichak
- Education: Andrew Dinniman (Chair), James Brewster, Daylin Leach, Lindsey Williams
- Environmental Resources & Energy: John Yudichak (Chair), Andrew Dinniman, Daylin Leach, Anthony Williams
- Finance: John Blake (Chair), Art Haywood, Vincent Hughes, Katie Muth
- Game & Fisheries: James Brewster (Chair), Lisa Boscola, Andrew Dinniman, John Yudichak
- Health & Human Services: Art Haywood (Chair), Katie Muth, Judy Schwank, Sharif Street
- Intergovernmental Operations: Wayne Fontana (Chair), Art Haywood, Vincent Hughes, Katie Muth
- Judiciary: Daylin Leach (Chair), Larry Farnese, Art Haywood, John Sabatina, Jr., Steve Santarsiero
- Labor & Industry: Christine Tartaglione (Chair), Tim Kearney, Lindsey Williams, John Yudichak
- Law & Justice: James Brewster (Chair), Wayne Fontana, Christine Tartaglione, Anthony Williams
- Local Government: Tim Kearney (Chair), John Blake, Steve Santarsiero, Judy Schwank
- Rules & Executive Nominations: Jay Costa (Chair), Lisa Boscola, Larry Farnese, Wayne Fontana, Vincent Hughes, Anthony Williams
- State Government: Anthony Williams (Chair), Maria Collett, Katie Muth, Lindsey Williams
- Transportation: John Sabatina, Jr. (Chair), John Blake, James Brewster, Tim Kearney, John Yudichak
- Urban Affairs & Housing: Katie Muth (Chair), Wayne Fontana, Tim Kearney, Sharif Street
- Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness: Lindsey Williams (Chair), John Blake, Maria Collett, Andrew Dinniman
