Harrisburg, PA − October 26, 2023 – Today, State Senator Jay Costa joins calls from Jewish constituents in his district and across the commonwealth to adjust the date of Pennsylvania’s 2024 primary election to respect Passover. If the primary date remains April 23, 2024, many Jewish voters may be disenfranchised from the voting process. Additionally, Jewish people may be unable to serve as poll workers, and Jewish houses of worship likely cannot be used as polling places.
The PA Senate Democratic Caucus has been vocal in its call to find a new date for the 2024 primary to balance the need for Pennsylvania’s voters to have a larger say in presidential candidates with the need to avoid conflicts in the Jewish calendar. Many have suggested moving the date up one week to April 16, 2024, which does not coincide with any major religious holidays.
“I cannot stand by as Jewish people are forced to choose between observing their faith and making their voices heard in primary elections,” said Senator Costa. “The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania must immediately return to the table and end their obstinate opposition to moving the date. In this moment, as Jewish and Israeli people are mourning a terrorist attack and hundreds of deaths, we must affirm that Jewish people are welcome in Pennsylvania and that their voices are critical. I will continue to push the County Commissioners Association to agree to a primary date that is respectful of this high holiday.”
“Without any action, the 2024 primary date will fall on Passover,” said Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti, Democratic Chair of the State Government Committee. “Keeping this date for the primary is disrespectful to the entire Jewish community in Pennsylvania. Jewish voters and poll workers deserve the space to observe this important holiday without their civic duties overlapping on their observances. We all knew this was coming, and it is of the utmost importance that we take urgent action to confirm a new primary date before it is too late.”
The Jewish Legislative Caucus, which is co-chaired by Representative Dan Frankel and State Senator Judy Schwank, also released a statement expressing great disappointment over the coincidence of the primary election and Passover.
HB 224, which would move the date of Pennsylvania’s 2024 primary election, is currently in the Senate Rules Committee.
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Pittsburgh, PA – October 13, 2023 − Today, State Senator Jay Costa announces over $12 million in funding for affordable housing projects in his district in Allegheny County. This funding comes from the 2 022 Fiscal Year budget and utilizes ARPA funding to help fill the gaps in housing needs.
“I was proud to lead the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus to ensure that as much federal American Rescue Plan Act funding as possible was pumped into our local economy to make investments that would be long lasting for working families,” said Senator Costa.“Towards that end, we were proud to allocate $100 million toward the development and rehabilitation of affordable housing. Yesterday, PFHA awarded over $12 million to projects from Swissvale to Hazelwood to Braddock to Homewood. I am grateful to have partners like my Senate Democratic colleagues and the workers at PHFA who are helping deliver a safe, affordable home for every Pennsylvanian.”
The projects funded in the 43rd district are described in detail below.
Reservation of Housing Options Grant Funds
Development Name: African Queens Apartments
Location: 2159 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Ownership Entity: Amani Christian Community Development Corporation
Affordable Housing Units: 9
Reservation of Grant Funds: $900,000
Scope: African Queens Apartments will be a 18,000 SF mixed-use development with 1,700SF of commercial space on the ground floor, and a total of 12 apartments on the second, third, and fourth floors. Nine of the apartments will be reserved for applicants making less than 60% AMI, and the remaining three will be reserved for applicants making less than 80% AMI. Of the nine apartments reserved for applicants making less than 60% AMI, three will be reserved for very low-income households and six will be reserved for applicants that are special needs or homeless.
Reservation of Housing Options Grant Funds
Development Name: Homewood Affordable Housing Construction
Location: 536-538 Brushton Ave, 541-545 Brushton Ave, 7704-7706 Tioga St, 7638-7644 Tioga St, 7309 Hamilton Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Ownership Entity: Homewood Redevelopment LLC
Affordable Housing Units: 37
Reservation of Grant Funds: $1,500,000
Scope of Work: This project encompasses the acquisition and rehab of blighted properties in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The properties to be redeveloped located at 536, 538, and 541-545 Brushton Ave., 7309 Hamilton Ave., and 7704-7706 and 7638-7644 Tioga St., and total 37 units. This project seeks to ensure that residents of Homewood can remain in their community, have safe and secure housing, and benefit from redevelopment in the place where they already live and raise their families.
Reservation of Housing Options Grant Funds
Development Name: Homewood Housing Rehabilitation
Location: 7301 Hamilton Ave, 7811 Hamilton Ave, 7812 Formosa Way, 7819 Hamilton Ave, and 7818 Formosa Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Ownership Entity: RT Homewood LLC
Affordable Housing Units: 17
Reservation of Grant Funds: 1,020,000
Scope: The Homewood Housing Rehabilitation project contains 17 units of affordable housing and will prevent displacement of vulnerable families in the Homewood Neighborhood of the City of Pittsburgh. 4 two-bedroom units are for families below 30% AMI, and 13 units are for families below 60% AMI. The exteriors of all the buildings will be substantially renovated with new roofs, porches, and masonry repairs. Other proposed renovations include energy efficiency upgrades, and the installation of new porches and decking.
Reservation of Housing Options Grant Funds
Development Name: Independent Housing Resources East
Location: 2531-2543 S. Braddock Ave, Swissvale, PA 15218; 606 Swissvale Ave, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221; 117 N. Winebiddle St, Pittsburgh, PA 15224; 5757 Stanton Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Ownership Entity: Independent Housing Resources East Inc.
Affordable Housing Units: 24
Reservation of Grant Funds: $1,400,000
Scope: Independent Housing Resources East is a four-building scattered site project that was developed in the 1990s and contains 24 units of affordable housing. After 30 years, significant capital improvements needed both inside individual units and to the exterior areas of the sites. Proposed improvements to the buildings include HVAC upgrades, new windows, basement repairs, exterior site improvements, and various interior updates to all units.
Reservation of Housing Options Grant Funds
Development Name: Hazelwood 2023
Location: 20 Almeda, Pittsburgh, PA 15207
Ownership Entity: RTH Investments LLC
Affordable Housing Units: 9
Reservation of Grant Funds: $540,000
Scope: Hazelwood 2023 located at 20 Almeda in Pittsburgh encompasses the full renovation of a 9-unit affordable housing complex to ensure the safety and comfort of the residents. This project is intended to preserve affordable housing in the area that may otherwise have been turned into high end apartments and displacing the current residents.
Reservation of Housing Options Grant Funds
Development Name: Hazelwood Affordable Rental Preservation Program (HARPP): Stabilization Initiative
Location: Scattered Sites, Pittsburgh, PA
Ownership Entity: HAARP, LLC
Affordable Housing Units: 61
Reservation of Grant Funds: $1,861,552
Scope: This project encompasses the rejuvenation of 61 scattered-site affordable rental units through the Hazelwood Affordable Rental Preservation Project located in the Pittsburgh area. Improvements to the sites will address items needed to ensure safe and secure housing for the residents. These improvements include structural repairs, roof replacements, appliances, energy efficiency upgrades, facade improvements, and general improvements unique to each site.
Reservation of Housing Options Grant Funds
Development Name: Wood Towers
Location: 810 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, PA
Ownership Entity: Wood Towers MF Grant LP
Affordable Housing Units: 97
Reservation of Grant Funds: $5,000,000
Scope: Wood Towers is a 97-unit affordable housing apartment building located in Pittsburgh that serves the elderly and persons with disabilities. HOP funding will be used for renovations including roof replacements, HVAC replacements, sitewide Wi-Fi, security improvements, new elevator system, new hot water heaters, and various cosmetic upgrades.
Additional information about PFHA is available on their website.
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats Priorities, including affordable homes for every Pennsylvanian, on our website.
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Harrisburg, PA – September 20, 2023 – Today, the Pennsylvania Senate advanced HB 27, a bill to distribute crucial school mental health funding and community violence prevention funding.
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) personally advocated an amendment that disperses $100 million for mental health programs in schools.
Regarding its passage, Senator Costa offers the following statement:
“I am very proud that HB 27 has cleared another important hurdle, as it approves spending for vital programs to benefit our schools, students, educators, and mental health professionals,” said Senator Costa. “As this commonwealth continues to face an unprecedented mental health epidemic, it’s heartening that both houses of the PA Legislature are taking this crisis seriously and funding solutions that we are confident will work. I look forward to continuing to improve access to mental healthcare and promoting safe communities for every Pennsylvanian.”
HB 27 clarifies language on the community violence program so that funds can be distributed.
The bill also streamlines school safety programs by requiring the Department of Education to work in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for collecting important data and developing programs to support students, reduce student delinquency, and promote better learning environments.
Lastly, the underlying bill provides for the extension of an important waiver program that allowed for flexibility for schools to use additional personnel for filling substitute teacher and paraprofessional positions.
HB 27 now goes back to the House of Representatives for its concurrence.
The text of HB 27 is accessible here.
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RADNOR, August 24, 2023 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and Senator Amanda Cappelletti (D-Montgomery/Delaware) co-hosted a public hearing yesterday in Radnor to discuss skill games in Pennsylvania.
The hearing, held at the Radnor Township Municipal Building, featured three panels of testimony from experts in gaming, regulation, and law enforcement to discuss the current status of “skill games”, an ongoing court battle over the legality of the games, and how they affect people directly and indirectly.
“The issue of skill games in Pennsylvania is a complicated topic and we really need to be thoughtful and consider all perspectives on this issue – law enforcement and gaming regulators, but also that of small business owners and our VFWs that rely on these machines for revenue,” Muth said. “Yesterday’s hearing was very informative and I look forward to continuing this discussion and working with my colleagues to address the issues raised regarding skill games in Pennsylvania.”
In submitted testimony, the American Gaming Association (AGA) indicated that the number of “skill games” significantly outnumbers the 25,746 regulated slot machines across the state. The AGA estimates that 61% of gambling machines in Pennsylvania are currently unregulated.
“Any expansion of the gaming industry in the Commonwealth is cause for skepticism and requires thoughtful action. The alarming rate at which these so-called ‘skill games’ are growing in prevalence demands a response. Yesterday’s hearing shed light on the numerous ways these skill games cause harm to Pennsylvanians and our economy,” Senator Cappelletti said. “I walked away ready to propose solutions to these problems. I hope my colleagues will join me.”
Senator Cappelletti has circulated a cosponsor memo proposing to add “skill games” to the list of illegal gambling devices in Title 18. The language of her proposed bill will be similar to what was proposed in Senate Bill 212 of the 2021-22 session.
“Yesterday‘s hearing helped me and my colleagues understand of the very serious concerns various organizations and stakeholders have about the skills game industry and how it is regulated,” Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) added. “I look forward to continue finding solutions that are fair and equitable for every Pennsylvanian.”
Participants in the hearing included Kevin O’Toole, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board; Jeff Morris, Vice President for Public Affairs & Government Relations, Penn Entertainment; Chris Cykle, Vice President of Government Relations, American Gaming Association; Jack Stollsteimer, Delaware County District Attorney; and Curtis Jones, Majority Leader, Philadelphia City Council.
Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) and Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) also participated in the hearing virtually.
All submitted testimony from the policy hearing and the full video is available at SenatorMuth.com/Policy.
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Agenda →
Testimony
Panel 1 : Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
Panel 2: Gaming Industry
Panel 3: Criminal Effects of Skill Gaming
Additional Documents
- Background Documents Submitted by Penn Entertainment
- PENN Entertainment Presentation
- Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino Opposition to Skill Games Letter – August 23, 2023
- Casinos Amici Curiae Brief 761 CD 2023 – August 16, 2023
- Casinos Amici Curiae Brief 707 CD 2023 – August 16, 2023
- Appeal from the Order of the Honorable Andrew H. Dowling of the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County, Civil Division, 2022-CV-06333-MD, dated March 23, 2023, Granting Motion for Return of Property
- Appeal from the Order of the Court of Common Pleas of Monroe County, entered February 8, 2023, at No. 6673 CV 2021
- Amicus Curiae Brief Gaming Control Board – August 16, 2023
- Amicus Curiae Brief American Gaming Association – August 16, 2023
Pittsburgh − August 2, 2023 − Today, a jury sentenced Robert Bowers to death for his 63 charges related to the Tree of Life massacre. State Senator Jay Costa, whose district includes Squirrel Hill, offers the following statement in response:
“Legally, today closes the book on this painful, horrendous chapter in our community’s history. I sincerely hope that the families and loved ones of those murdered can begin to find some peace and healing. As we move forward, we must support each other and work together to make sure a tragedy like this never occurs again.”
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PITTSBURGH, PA− July 21, 2023 − Today, State Senator Jay Costa announces a $14.6 million investment in water infrastructure through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). This investment by PENNVEST is crucial in PWSA’s ongoing effort to remediate and replace aging infrastructure in Allegheny County.
“Each and every one of us deserves clean air, potable water, and a safe home we can afford,” said Senator Costa. “In conjunction with the federal and state government, I am glad we are taking care of the infrastructure that improves the water delivered to our families, friends, and neighbors.”
In Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority received a $4,599,382 loan and a $10,005,618 grant to replace lead service lines at approximately 1,200 homes. The project will contribute to the protection of adults and children from lead.
This project was funded by the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Funds for these projects are disbursed after expenses for work are paid and receipts are submitted to PENNVEST for review. A complete list of PENNVEST investment is available here.
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