HARRISBURG, PA − October 28, 2025 − Today, Senate Democrats held a press event to introduce the Pennsylvania Food Bank and Hunger Relief Grant Program, legislation that will allocate $50 million from the Rainy Day Fund for the Department of Agriculture to send to food banks, an additional $10 million for Meals on Wheels, and another $2 million to cover administrative costs. This program will support 18 food banks and is essential to addressing food insecurity and hunger issues resulting from the Republican’s Federal Government shutdown.
Twenty two members of the Senate Democratic Caucus signed on as co-sponsors to the Pennsylvania Food Bank and Hunger Relief Grant Program, introduced as Senate Bill 1080.
Nearly one in eight Pennsylvanians benefits from SNAP, and the Trump administration’s decision to withhold nearly $366 million in monthly payments places an extraordinary strain on Pennsylvania’s food banks and charitable food systems.
Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus expressed that while the Commonwealth does not have the capacity to replace the roughly $366 million in monthly SNAP benefits Pennsylvanians receive from the federal government, the legislature does have the resources to assist food banks to ensure their shelves remain stocked to respond to increased demand when SNAP benefits cease on November 1, 2025.
“This is an emergency,” said Senator Art Haywood, the Democratic Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee in the State Senate. “SNAP food benefits end Saturday, November 1, should the federal shutdown still be in place. This will crush families and neighbors across Pennsylvania, and these changes will leave people hungry. It’s hard to be in a more outrageous position than to be holding up the food for our neighbors. Denying people food is a violation of their dignity.”
“Food banks are remarkably resilient and efficient. However, we are facing a perfect storm of resource constraints, from unpaid federal workers turning to the charitable food system to essential funding for critical anti-hunger programs being held up in the state budget impasse,” said Julie Bancroft, CEO of Feeding PA. “Now, a potential wave of two million people who won’t be able to access their SNAP benefits will need to rely on food banks. Food banks need relief to be able to serve neighbors as best as possible in this crisis.”
“With the loss of SNAP in November, we are now facing an acute hunger crisis on top of the existing one,” said Shila Ulrich, CEO of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. “We’ve seen a 44% increase in hunger in the last two years, while the cost of food, fuel, and distribution remains high. Every week, we meet more working families – people with jobs – who are choosing between groceries, rent, and medicine. It’s a sustained structural crisis that requires policy stability and bipartisan leadership. Food banks are strong —we’ve been strong and resilient —but we cannot fill the gaps left by prolonged inaction. ”
“If this isn’t a crisis, I don’t know what is,” said Senator Judy Schwank. “To use hunger as a political weapon is unconscionable. One of SNAP’s greatest strengths is that it connects people with fresh, healthy, local food. Farmers benefit from steady sales, and families get nutritious food that helps build bodies and support good lives. Everybody wins. But that won’t happen in November, and the destruction won’t only be felt in Pennsylvania. It will ripple across the entire country.”
“I want to encourage everyone to donate and volunteer at their local food bank. But make no mistake, charitable food pantries cannot fill the demands or the infrastructure that the SNAP program is leaving behind,” said Senator Lindsey Williams. “The feds are counting on our sense of decency not to let people starve while they build a giant golden ballroom at the White House.”
Harrisburg, PA − October 23, 2025 − On Wednesday, October 22, Senator Jay Costa provided an update to Francine Schertzer on the status of the 2025-26 Pennsylvania Budget negotiations, as well as policy priorities for the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus. You can watch the entire interview here:
Harrisburg, PA – October 21, 2025 – Today, the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus issued a statement following more budget delays that were led by Senate Republicans.
“It is deeply frustrating to see Senate Republicans waste more time instead of coming to the table to get a serious, responsible budget passed for the Commonwealth.
“What we got from Senate Republicans today was another exercise in delay tactics. They know the budget they passed today is not serious. It would raise local taxes, force cuts to health services and jobs, and leave school districts with debt that was incurred because of the Senate Republican budget impasse.
“Our state budget is now one hundred and thirteen days past due, and the blame lies squarely on the shoulders of Senate Republicans. We again implore them to work with us, the House, and the Governor to get a budget done that funds our obligations and maintains important education, health, and support services.”
Pittsburgh, Pa. − October 17, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Senator Wayne Fontana, and Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced the approval of a $70,350,208 loan for Pittsburgh Water from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).
“It’s a joy and an honor to have played a small part in ensuring that all Allegheny County residents have access to safe, drinkable water. Replacing these old and risky water lines will support our kids, families, and seniors every time they reach for the faucet. I’m so grateful to everyone who worked together to bring these dollars home to the Pittsburgh Water, and I look forward to seeing these plans come to fruition,” said Senator Costa.
“Pennsylvania’s Constitution guarantees us all the right to pure water, and that includes our drinking water,” said Senator Williams. “This loan will support ongoing efforts to replace lead service lines and ensure that our families have access to safe drinking water at home, at school, and at work. And by securing state funding, Pittsburgh Water can perform the work without passing costs onto customers, especially when utility bills are at an all time high. This is a win for everyone.”
“I was proud to work with my colleagues and support Pittsburgh Water’s request to PENNVEST. Reliable water supply is critical for the safety and well-being of our constituents, and I support these improvements,” said Senator Fontana.
This PENNVEST loan will be used to install an estimated 49,710 feet of replacement 4-inch and 16-inch waterlines, including over 1000 public and private lead service lines. The work entails the replacement of undersized water mains, valves, fire hydrants, and water service lines. For this project, water mains were selected by prioritizing undersized mains and those with a history of breaks.
PENNVEST is a financing authority that provides low-cost financial assistance to address water, wastewater, stormwater, and non-point source pollution problems that impact public health, safety, the environment, regulatory compliance, and economic development.
HARRISBURG, PA − October 14, 2025 − Now that the Senate Republicans’ Budget Impasse has gone on for 106 days and counting, all twenty three members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus signed onto a letter urging Senate Republicans to call the Senate back into session and call up Senate Bill 160, a budget bill that passed the House on a bipartisan basis on Wednesday, October 8.
After the House passed SB 160, Senate Republicans packed up and went home without voting on the bill. As the letter states, sending members home, “without a vote is a slap in the face to the counties, school districts, human service providers, and others who are struggling to navigate this unnecessary, politically motivated impasse. That is unacceptable.”
Senate Democrats have been loud, clear, and united: “It is beyond time for compromise. It is time to end this impasse.”
PITTSBURGH –October 10, 2025 − Today, State Senator Jay Costa announces $6,196,549 in funding from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) in federal tax credits utilized to finance the development of affordable housing. The funding was conditionally reserved for the approved projects.
“I am a long-time partner in and admirer of the crucial work PHFA does in delivering funding necessary to ensure a safe, affordable home for every Pennsylvanian,” said Senator Costa. “The dollars announced today will go a long way in putting more families in our communities into housing that works for them and their needs. I look forward to seeing these investments come to fruition in the 43rd district.”
The projects funded in the 43rd district are as follows:
Development Name: Shannon Heights Senior Living Location: Verona, Allegheny County Conditional Reservation of Tax Credits: $1,700,000 |DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION: This proposal is for the new construction of 1 building (2 stories) for seniors 62 and older. The development will consist of 28 one-bedroom units and 20 two-bedroom units. There will be nine accessible units. The development is estimated to be a total of 56,835 square feet.
Development Name: Gable Ridge Location: Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County Conditional Reservation of Tax Credits: $992,686 DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION: This proposal is for the preservation of six one- and two-story buildings, consisting of 50 one-bedroom units for senior 62+ occupancy. There will be five accessible units. The development is estimated to be a total of 41,276 square feet.
Conditional Reservation of Low Income Housing Tax Credits: Development Name: HG Blair Location: Pittsburgh, Allegheny County Conditional Reservation of Tax Credits: $1,850,000 DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION: This proposal is the second affordable phase of the Hazelwood Green planned district; there will be a third, market rate, phase. The proposal is for the new construction of a single, five-story, mid-rise building. The project will consist of 29 one-bedroom, 10 two-bedroom, and seven three-bedroom units for general occupancy. There will be six fully accessible units and one unit equipped with features for residents requiring hearing and vision accessibility accommodation. The development is projected to be a total of 57,909 square feet, with 2,183 square feet of commercial space.
Development Name: Carrick Sr. Apartments Location: Pittsburgh, Allegheny County Conditional Reservation of Tax Credits: $1,653,863 DEVELOPMENT DESCRIPTION: |This proposal is for the new construction of one three-story building, consisting of 47 one-bedroom and 5 two-bedroom units for senior 62+ occupancy. There will be nine accessible units. The development is estimated to be a total of 56,385 square feet.
