ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA – State Representative Matt Gergely, D-Pittsburgh, passed away on January 19, 2025, at the age of 45. First elected to the House of Representatives in 2023, Representative Gergely hailed from the 35th district, comprising of McKeesport, Clairton, Munhall, Duquesne, and Lincoln.
In sorrow, the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus releases the following statement:
“We are so deeply sorry to learn of the passing of Representative Matt Gergely, and we already miss him more than words can express. A public servant to the very end, Representative Gergely left an indelible mark on everyone who met him. McKeesport lost a terrific champion today. We wish his loved ones peace and comfort as they mourn his untimely passing. May his memory be a blessing.”
Per the House Democratic Caucus, the family of Representative Gergely has requested privacy at this time.
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HARRISBURG, PA – January 8, 2025 − The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announces its committee chairs for the 2025-26 legislative session.
The Senate Democratic Caucus also proudly welcomes two new members: Senator Patty Kim representing Senate District 15, and Senator Nick Piscottano representing Senate District 45.
- Aging & Youth – Senator Maria Collett
- Agriculture & Rural Affairs – Senator Judy Schwank
- Appropriations – Senator Vincent Hughes
- Banking & Insurance – Senator Sharif Street
- Communications & Technology – Senator Nick Miller
- Community, Economic & Recreational Development – Senator Anthony Williams
- Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure – Senator Lisa Boscola
- Education – Senator Lindsey Williams
- Environmental Resources & Energy – Senator Carolyn Comitta
- Finance – Senator Nick Pisciottano
- Game & Fisheries – Senator Lisa Boscola
- Health & Human Services – Senator Art Haywood
- Institutional Sustainability & Innovation – Senator Tim Kearney
- Intergovernmental Operations – Senator Tina Tartaglione
- Judiciary – Senator Amanda Cappelletti
- Labor & Industry – Senator John Kane
- Law & Justice – Senator Wayne Fontana
- Local Government – Senator Patty Kim
- Rules & Executive Nominations – Senator Jay Costa
- State Government – Senator Steve Santarsiero
- Transportation – Senator Marty Flynn
- Urban Affairs & Housing – Senator Nikil Saval
- Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness – Senator Katie Muth
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to fighting for every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – December 11, 2024 – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa announces $2,753,914 in funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) benefitting the 43rd district, encompassing parts of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
“I am so proud to announce these dollars, which will go towards keeping our friends and neighbors safe,” said Senator Costa. “From supporting our law enforcement officers to advocating for victims of assault in our court systems, it’s critical to invest in community safety. I look forward to seeing this funding to go good use in the 43rd district.”
Awardees from the Federal Victims of Crime Funds, Rights and Services Act Funds, and Victims of Juvenile Offender Funds are as follows:
- Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh was awarded $53,147 to assist victims of IPV in criminal court.
- Pittsburgh Action Against Rape was awarded $80,395 for RASA/VOJO Services to Sexual Violence Victims.
- Center of Victims was awarded $855,638 for RASA/VOJO Services.
Awardees from the Federal Project Safe Neighborhood Funds are as follows:
- Allegheny County Chief Executive Officer was awarded $37, 068 for Allegheny County Police PSN 4.
- Brothers and Sisters Emerging was awarded $26,520.
- Neighborhood Resilience Project was awarded $18,623 for Project Safe Neighborhoods.
- The Pittsburgh Contingency, Inc. was awarded $32,361 for South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace.
SisTers PGH Corp was awarded $75,000 from the Federal STOP Violence Against Women Act Funds for Project T Housing Support.
Swissvale Borough was awarded $150,000 from the Federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Funds.
A Child’s Place was awarded $47,000 from the State Children’s Advocacy Center Funds for ACP Allegheny and regional 2025.
Allegheny County Chief Executive Officer was awarded $1,378,162 from the Continuing County Adult Probation and parole Grant Funds for their 2024-25 programming.
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to safe communities for every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – December 2, 2024 – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa circulated Co-Sponsorship Memoranda for bills he intends to introduce for the 2025-26 Legislative Session.
Those memoranda include:
More co-sponsorship memos will be introduced in the coming weeks.
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – November 21, 2024 − Today, the PA Broadband Development Authority met to award grants from the Digital Connectivity Technology Program (DCTP). This grant program will provide laptops to non-profits, community anchor institutions, and governments who will then loan or make the laptops available to Pennsylvanians to improve education, workforce development, health, and employment outcomes.
“In our modern technological reality, laptop computers are a critical resource for learners, workers, job-seekers, patients, and more,” said Senator Costa. “I am delighted to be announcing hundreds of laptops for invaluable community organizations, and I look forward to seeing them continue to do good work for the people who call our senate district home.”
The following grants were awarded in the 43rd senatorial district.
- A Giving Heart was awarded 70 Laptops
- AIMED Human Services was awarded 20 Laptops
- Carlow University was awarded 100 Laptops
- Computer Reach was awarded 200 Laptops
- Operation Better Block was awarded 100 Laptops
- Ruth’s Way, Inc. was awarded 20 Laptops
- The Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh was awarded 50 Laptops
- This Generation Connect was awarded 75 Laptops
More information on the program can be found here.
Learn about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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HARRISBURG, PA – November 13, 2024 – The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today elected its leadership team for the 2025-26 legislative session.
The Senate Democratic Caucus also proudly welcomes two new members: Senator Patty Kim representing Senate District 15, and Senator Nick Pisciottano, who succeeds Senator Jim Brewster in representing Senate District 45.
The new and returning members elected the following Caucus Leadership Team:
- Leader – Jay Costa, Jr.
- Caucus Whip – Tina Tartaglione
- Appropriations Committee Chair – Vincent Hughes
- Caucus Chair – Maria Collett
- Caucus Secretary – Steve Santarsiero
- Policy Committee Chair – Nick Miller
- Administrator – Judy Schwank
“I am honored and humbled to announce that I will be serving as the Leader of the PA Senate Democratic Caucus for the next two years,” said Senator Jay Costa. “I’d like to thank my fellow Democratic senators for entrusting me with this responsibility. I look forward to the fight ahead.”
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to fighting for every Pennsylvanian here.
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