Harrisburg, November 23, 2011 – Wrapping up the last of two public hearings on the Legislative Reapportionment Commission’s preliminary plan, testimony given to the commission today was overwhelmingly critical of the plan approved 3-2 along party lines.[audio:https://senatorcosta.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/reapportionment-last-hearing-costa-wrap.mp3|titles=reapportionment-last-hearing-costa-wrap]
Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) who is a member of the commission and voted against the preliminary plan issued the following statement:
“I am very proud of the people who traveled on a day where travel is not always convenient as folks prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday. They feel strongly, and I respect their efforts to be heard. The plan was, among other things, described today as ‘a failure in the name of political expediency’ and ‘an abomination’ — assessments with which, in some cases, I have to agree. I can only hope the pleas of those who testified do not fall on deaf ears. I certainly heard the frustration coming through loud and clear.
“Once criticized as ‘the consummate insiders’ game’ redistricting must be pursued in a fair and balanced way, particularly at a time when the public is growing more cynical and distrustful of their public officials.
“As witnessed by repeated testimony at two public hearings held at the Capitol, there are deep concerns about the partisan nature of the preliminary redistricting plan before the commission right now. The ease in which constituents can access their elected leaders has clearly taken a backseat to party interests.
“We will continue to lay out our exceptions to the plan and hope for a more fair, equitable and balanced product as a result.”
The window for public comment expires on November 30, 2011.
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HARRISBURG, November 15, 2011 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa was joined by former Gov. Ed Rendell at a capitol news conference to draw attention to a recent report that shows Pennsylvania is one of just a few states that made significant progress from 2003 to 2011 in all grades and subjects. [audio:https://senatorcosta.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/pa-school-achievement-costa-wrap.mp3|titles=pa-school-achievement-costa-wrap]
The National Assessment of Educational Progress – commonly known as “the nation’s report card” – also shows score gaps between higher- and lower-income students also narrowed from 2003 to 2011 in only four states. Pennsylvania was one of them.
Additionally, more Pittsburgh students scored in the proficient and advanced ranges for reading and math compared to four years ago — until they reached high school, where 11th-grade math scores declined for the second consecutive year. Pittsburgh students also made greater gains than students across Pennsylvania in all grades, except for 11th-grade math.
Costa said the test scores are proof that the targeted investment made by the legislature over the past eight years improved student performance in Pennsylvania and improved public schools.
Costa also expressed concerns that last year’s Republican budget that cut education by nearly $1 billion statewide will reverse these patterns of success and the positive momentum shown in public schools.
“It is unfortunate that we were not able to reach a general agreement on all aspects of this measure and we cannot support it on final passage. There is too much at stake. We can’t allow Pennsylvanians to ultimately wind up on the losing end of the battle to make sure our resources and drinking water are protected. We also need to make sure that Pennsylvanians get their fair share. Their state’s resources must be given away for a fair price. Alaska, Texas, Montana, and a slew of other states gain more from their severance fees than Pennsylvania will under this proposal. We can’t allow multi-billion dollar international corporations a free pass to the vast and valuable resources that lie beneath our commonwealth. We can’t stand for the state taking away the rights of townships and municipalities to control their own destiny when it comes to Marcellus Shale development. The Republicans have made it clear tonight that they are willing to hand over the keys to the castle.
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“Short-term benefits cannot take priority over what the majority of Pennsylvania’s men and women want and deserve – environmental protection and a fair fee from the companies poised to make billions more than they have already pocketed from the resources Pennsylvania provides. We can’t be left holding the bag and paying for the clean-up many years from now when the natural gas rigs have been taken away and the natural gas is gone.
“I am saddened by the fact that one of the most important issues we have been negotiating for more than two years could not result in an acceptable compromise.
I want to assure all, it wasn’t for lack of effort. My Democratic colleagues and I were provided the opportunity to have meaningful input and provide ideas to improve this bill. For that, we are grateful. Sen. Scarnati, his staff and our members and staff negotiated at length through many issues and provided perspectives for the other to consider. But at the end of the day, we need to make sure that this bill is correct and something that Pennsylvanians can live with now and for years to come.”
HARRISBURG, November 1, 2011 – Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) hailed Senate passage of legislation which will establish guidelines regarding management of concussions and head injuries to student athletes. The unanimous vote in favor of Senate Bill 200 sends it to the governor’s desk for his approval.
“These are serious life-threatening injuries which kids are shrugging off in order to get back on the field, and they can have long-term, life-altering effects,” said Costa. “Competitive spirit is something we can all appreciate, but not when it poses a serious threat to some of our youngest and most promising athletes.”
According to the American Academy of Neurology, 40 percent of high school athletes that suffer concussions return to play too soon, and during the 2007-08 season 1 in 6 football players who suffered a concussion and lost consciousness returned in the same game.
If the bill is signed into law, a coach will be required to remove a student with symptoms of a concussion or traumatic brain injury from play. The athlete will have to be evaluated and cleared for return in writing by an appropriate medical professional. Coaches who do not comply will be penalized.
“I stood with NFL representatives and former NFL players earlier this year to speak in support of this bill. They know firsthand how those hard hits can have a serious long-term impact,” said Costa. “There is no reason for any young athlete to stay in the game if they’re experiencing signs of serious injury. Now coaches, parents, and students will be accountable and involved in making sure our children are protected.”
Additional components of Senate Bill 200:
- Requires coaches to annually complete a concussion management certification training course offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Federation of State High School Associations or another provider approved by the Dept. of Health.
- Penalties for coaches who fail to comply with the provisions of the act – 1st offense: suspension from coaching any athletic activity for the remainder of the season; 2nd offense: suspension from coaching any athletic activity for the remainder of the season and for the next season; 3rd offense: permanent suspension from coaching any athletic activity. These are the minimum penalties to be established by a school board under the legislation.
- Requires involved students and their parents/guardians to annually sign and return to the school an acknowledgement of receipt of the concussion and brain injury information prior to the student’s participation in practice or competition.
- School entities may also hold an informational meeting prior to the start of each athletic season for all ages of competitors regarding concussions and other head injuries and the importance of proper concussion management.
An estimated 3.8 million sports-related concussions occur in the United States each year. In Pennsylvania, the figure could be as high as 156,000 concussions per year.
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HARRISBURG, October 26, 2011 – – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa speaks on the floor of the Senate to detail his opposition to the school vouchers legislation (SB 1).
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HARRISBURG, October 19, 2011 – – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Democratic Transportation Chairman John Wozniak today released the following statements regarding Pennsylvania’s transportation crisis:
Senator Jay Costa, (D-Allegheny):
“It is extremely important that we address our transportation crisis. In addition to making sure our bridges and roads are safe, we want to do everything possible to put Pennsylvanians back to work. Our unemployment numbers are moving in the wrong direction, and getting these road projects going will no doubt provide Pennsylvania with a much-need economic shot in the arm. Much of what is contained in the TFAC report will get people back to work. That is the bottom line and something Senate Democrats have been trying to facilitate for several months.
“With word now of research released today that Pittsburgh has the highest percentage of structurally deficient bridges in the nation, we should need no further evidence. We must move on this immediately. Senate Democrats have been urging the governor to act on the commission’s report since it was released. Months later — with limited time left in the fall session — I am pleased to see some measure of movement on the issue. Senate Democrats are ready to be a part of a meaningful conversation, and I am eager to hear specifics on the governor’s intentions. His guidance is essential.”
Senator John Wozniak (D-Johnstown):
“We have been saying for months that we must address Pennsylvania’s crumbling roads and bridges — not just to protect the safety of motorists, but transportation projects and infrastructure improvements are a powerful tool to get people back to work. Pennsylvania’s unemployment numbers have risen since the beginning of the year. Infrastructure improvement projects need to be a priority from an economic standpoint. We can’t be competitive when our roads are not up to par.
We look forward to hearing from the governor and learning which components of his Transportation Funding Advisory Commission have the possibility of being implemented and signed into law. The clock is ticking, but I am hopeful — with effective leadership – that something can get done this fall. From both a safety and economic standpoint, it must.
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